NWoD: Chicago [NEW and OPEN as of 10-8-09]

[Amano Yoshi]

Vincent silently listened to everything that was being said by the mage and the cruel hurtful words that were coming from him. Fortunately the centuries had made Vincent a calculating man. He analyzed everything that had happened thus far, the warning and then suddenly the quick turning of Zach against him when he’d been so content to hold onto his shirt as he brought him into this hospital. It was clear to Vincent that something wasn’t right here despite the fact that those words were burning him in worse ways than even the sun had managed before. A pair of tears slipped before he could harden his emotions. He lamented it immediately, he was going to have to create a façade again in order to keep an eye on his mage, or was he? Zach wouldn’t have been able to turn against the power of his blood so quickly and suddenly at the very least. Not without influencing and Vince knew enough about mages to realize that something odd was happening.

“I refuse.” Vincent’s face was hard again, his arms were crossed and he was standing rigidly. “Something happened here and it’s not natural. I haven’t lived on this earth as a vampire this long without picking up a few things and knowing when things are forced. I do it to people all the time.” Vince wasn’t being as guarded with his words as he should be and in fact he was making things all too easy for prying ears that sat in the hallway to figure out just what might be going on at once. Someone has tampered with Zach of that he was certain. Blood wasn’t so easy to scrub away like the mage had mentioned earlier and yet it was being overridden at least temporarily. Even so, what reasons would Zach have for lying about things earlier and why would he have even bothered to respond to Vincent’s summons if he really didn’t care anymore?

“Besides all that, there is no force on this earth that would cause me to leave you Zach. I made a promise and you know that regardless of how I’ve been in the past my word has always been kept even as a kindred.” Still the vampire wasn’t too well guarding his words and the one out in the hall who understood such things was no doubt getting antsy. “Be it in the shadows, or even in the astral realm, you won’t be able to scrape me off. I’ll pay this piper even if it isn’t someone messing with your head. If you’re truly aging again then I’ll be with you to the end and when MY reason for going on has left me I’ll meet the sun.” There was fire in Vincent’s eyes as he gazed back at Zach. Just earlier he’d admitted to Vince that the vampire was his reason for living and now he was rescinding it. Regardless of the truth behind it, Vincent couldn’t dismiss the fact that Zach really was his reason for going on. He meant every word of what he’d said.

Vincent looked up to the camera on the wall and thought to himself, if anything had happened then he’d be willing to bet his bottom dollar that the recording wasn’t tampered with. Such things as technology didn’t like magic and manipulation much to his chagrin. He would be calling in a favor shortly to see if the tape could be reviewed for anything out of the ordinary so that this mystery could be solved before it began. If anything he’d at least have a face to target. He’d have someone to lash out upon in order to feel some sort of closure. Vincent’s blood lust would be satisfied for the tearing of his heartstrings one way or another, false or no. There would be blood.

Unfortunately for the vampire, he was unaware that a werewolf had earlier disabled the cameras for a time, the exact time that it took for Zach to experience everything that had happened to him. There was no way he was going to get anything useful out of the recording. He’d in the end only have his own ingenuity, his allies, and his wit to figure all this out.

Back to the matter of hand however, he was going to have to make sure that Zach wasn’t going to try and give him the dust off. Even if he could, Vince could leave his body and move at the speed of thought. There was no way he was getting by him. If anything else happened he’d even use his obfuscation combined with his special training regarding tailing. “So what’s it going to be? Is this going to be easy for us or difficult?” Vincent knew that Zach was still weakened and he thanked heaven for it, because that was going to be the edge he needed to do what he needed to do in order to keep up. Should he tamper with the mage’s mind as well? Or had things been pushed too far? He didn’t like that idea, but he did have to correct any problems in there. The thought came to him however that part of the reason things needed to take their course was because of the fact that he didn’t know what was happening right now. He would have to let things be for the time being.

[Mujo no Kaze]

Reggie watched the entire exchange slack jawed. He like all the others was fooled by the nurse mage’s magic, but he did get to hear Vincent spout some things that were very not masquerade friendly. Fortunately for the vampire the werewolf was the only one who heard. Or was it unfortunately? By the time he saw the others making glances back toward him he merely waved and then faded back through the gauntlet right there and then for dramatic effect. Reggie was a kid at heart, and some say that considering he was seventeen he was a kid and would stay a kid for several more years at least. The brat however stayed out of reach of both the supernatural beings in that hospital room that were still in the realm with a grin on his face. The death spirits greeted him as he crossed and he now knew for a fact that the one called Vincent was a vampire. Zach however wasn’t, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t something else. He was going to keep a close eye on this situation himself and automatically went to follow whichever one of the two was faster. This was exactly what he needed, a chase, and an exciting adventure for a change. Screw work, he could get another job if he really wanted, or steal from a large bank and blame it on some other stupid hacker. Life was good when your blood was pumping.

[Calinthe]

"You what?!" The mage cried out, unable to believe what he'd just heard. "You refuse to leave because something here isn't natural? Now that is just rich." Zach hissed. "Lemme just remind you of a thing or two. You're dead but not dead. That isn't natural. I'm a walking, talking sorcerer of old who's been alive for more than a century. That isn't natural. You've done nothing but hurt me time and again and I still can't help but love you. That isn't ******** natural! Nothing about us has been natural since I lost my free will to you on night of August the 12th, 1662." Yes, he remembered the date. Hell, Zach even knew it had been 10:02 in the evening if anyone cared to ask. It was a little hard to forget something like that.

Zacharias was hurting, inside and out, and Vincent wouldn't leave. It was almost inevitable that he lash out. Considering how much hurt he'd built up and suppressed over the years, it shouldn't have been surprising that the words which poured forth from his mouth held such true emotion behind them. In fact, his feelings on the matter were so strong, so old and so bitter, that it was a wonder he'd managed to stave off the waterworks this long. Well, the dam was cracking now, several tears leaking from the corners of the mage's eyes as he pushed his hair back from his face.

"Yeah, you do force people to do things all the time. You couldn't have made a more honest statement." The mage accused, his voice hoarse from the tears he was trying to hold back. "You have no care or regard for anyone else, what they might think or feel about a situation, You just ******** with 'em, get them to do what you want and then send them on their way. They have no choice in any of it. I should know, since you've been doing it to me for the last few centuries!" Zach's words were worse than venom because they weren't spit with anger, they were just completely honest. "You don't even have a clue how much you're hurting people, or what effect your mental games have on them do you? You don't even understand what you've done to me. Even now." Zach could hardly believe it, but the vampire seemed so sure of himself, so self-righteous standing there as if he were above blame for this situation. It must be someone else, some other reason, some other fault.

"I have no choice but to come running when you call because your voice is like salve to a wound that never heals. It takes all my willpower not to chase you down to be with you every time you leave me. It takes everything I have not to end myself in grief over the ache it leaves in my chest. A fabricated ache, forced on me by your blood." Zach stepped foward until he was right in front of Vincent, their similar heights allowing to look into the vampire's face with all the sincerity of his emotions. "What's worse is when you do something like this, where you pretend you care, where you lead me on and tell me things you know I long to hear, things I need to hear because I carry part of you in me always. Your damned vitae that never lets me forget to whom I belong. Just another pawn, another ghoul for you to control. I've never known how you make them, but surely it's akin to this, slowly draining the energy, the passion, the very will to live out of them till there's nothing left but a shell for you to puppet about as you see fit. Only perhaps you've shown them the mercy of killing their soul quickly, unlike the merciless game of cat and mouse you've played with me." Zach's voice was deadly low, and it shook with the effort to contain the near hysterical grief that bubbled to the surface.

"And then now, when I've already broken, when the pain of caring for you has already become too much you try to offer me soft words. You tell me you'll never leave me and you'll meet the sun should I die." Zach's voice cracked quietly as his fist came down on the vampire's torso. For a moment the blue eyed young man just stood there, his fist still tingling from the force it had come down with on the vamp's chest as he thought of what to say. His mind warred with itself painfully, giving the poor mage a headache that only intensified the misery of the experience.

"So I don't know what the hell you think you're doing offering me to go about this the easy way or the hard way. This," Zack gestured back and forth between the two of them. "...has never been easy for me. But I do know something that is easy. I know what I want." The mage stepped back from Vincent until he was once again close to the hospital bed. "I want you out. I want you gone. I don't ever ever want you to call me again. I don't want you to come looking for me. I don't want you to touch me and make me promises I know you won't keep. I don't want you to make me hope time and again only to kill another piece of my soul every time you prove that hope false. And I especially don't want you to forget that the reason I never want anything to do with you again, is because you used me like you use everyone else, but I'm strong enough to break away from you despite the control you've exerted over me. I will not cow to your will again Vincent, and with or without your blood, I will never be yours."

Though his voice was a mere whisper at the end, Zacharias knew that Vincent would hear him just the same. He knew that despite the tears rolling down his face and the fists at his side, the vamp would not mistake any of it for regret. Sadness yes, heartbreaking loss, yes. But never regret, because one should not regret telling the truth, and one should not regret the pursuit of freedom, even if it's selfishly just for yourself.

[Amano Yoshi]

Vincent listened to the harsh words that were coming from the mage, nothing else in the universe mattered no matter how much the mage was even breaking the veil’s laws right now. He didn’t care for such things, or anything else except for what Zacharias had to say. He stood there taking every word that lashed across his heart and soul in a well deserved retaliation. Unfortunately for Vincent, he couldn’t argue anything that was being spouted at him. Every single word of it was true and he couldn’t help but crumble under the weight of his conscience and the red hot pokers it pressed into his brain. He was a monster, and he’d done such horrible things to Zach, the one person he was supposed to protect from all of this garbage.

Vincent’s face was more stone than it had ever been before as he attempted to do everything in his power to not be effected emotionally. Of course this was a losing battle considering the fact that the mage had ripped open sores that both of them had carried. Vincent carried them silently and Zach carried them on his sleeve at the worst of times. Either way the balance of it had never been fair. Zach was right and every single word stung Vincent more because of the fact that it was all true.

The vampire nearly melted down right then and there and part of him did. He got down on his knees from the sheer weight of the conscience that was upon his shoulders. How could he, such a retch that he was, ever achieve an enlightened state. All he wanted was for Zach to stand by his side as he became a better thing. He could forgo it all if he just had the chance.

Who was he kidding? The vampire didn’t deserve another chance. “I only ever tried to protect you Zach. I was so cold because I knew my kind would have tortured you to get at your secrets in those days.” The vampire’s head lowered to face the ground as he spoke. He wouldn’t beg despite the awkward position he was now in, on his knees with head bowed. “If you want out of this hospital and if you want to be far from me then you should have the right to walk out on me for a change. If you don’t, then you’re going to have to deal with me because I don’t have it in me to walk out on you anymore.”

Vincent didn’t show the mage his cracking face and the clear tears that rolled down his cheeks in great dollops to fall upon his pants, soaking them. He would at least offer the courtesy of allowing Zach no chance to waiver. He wouldn’t show him a face that the mage could discount as someone pretending to be mournful. “If you ever need me…” That was all Vincent was going to say. He sat there silent and crying and would remain so for as long as Zach was in that cursed room.

[Calinthe]

Though the dark bruising showing up all over Mark's skin at first worried the demon, the changeling assured him it was fine. Since Kalial knew practically nothing about what was going on, he was going to have to take the other man's word for it, even though the effect of the dark mottled coloration was frightening on his friend's otherwise perfect skin. Mark's calm demeanor and the way he held the demon's hand however was comforting,... right up until the cocoon devoured Mark.

Not being able to see what the hell was happening to the other man didn't sit well with Kalial. What sat even worse was the fact that they were gaining an audience. There certainly hadn't been that many creatures close by before Mark started the change, which means that word must be spreading about the two of them to attract this attention. If word kept spreading, no doubt it would reach the ears of the gentry. Once that happened the two of them were both royally ******** because Mark was stuck in some hard dark shell, and dependant on a rather new demon for protection. Kali had three people who believed in his existence. Three. The amount of juice he could suck from their faith was barely enough to power a good second degree burn. What kind of pathetic defense was he?

That question was answered approximately a couple of hours later.

Though the whole process took only an hour of time for Mark inside his little cocoon, time for Kalial was stretched out much further. Enough so in fact, that it had been at least 17 hours since his last hit of heroin by the time Mark's cocoon formed. Just enough time for his body to realize that hey, his next hit wasn't coming on time. In fact, there was no hint of another one coming at all, and as soon as that thought entered his brain, Kevin had started to become anxious. Following that came fidgetting and the sweats. By the time the tiger stepped out from the rest, Kevin was already feeling the cramps starting up in his heavy limbs.

Despite his discomfort the demon stood immediately inbetween the beast and Mark's helpless body. He locked eyes with the spirit, and he heard the message, but it didn't sound good. In fact, saying "don't worry, I'm here for him" sounded a lot like "I'm the reaper, and I haven't come to collect your soul, but his." It didn't matter which of them the beast wanted, Kevin didn't want him to have either of them! So it was that Kevin tried using his hands and the demon lore to stop the spirit, but the tiger moved on as if it didn't even notice him after that.

Some useless, deficient, pathetic protector he was turning out to be. Damn it! If he couldn't do anything against this creature, what the hell did Mark think Kevin could do for him if something really nasty showed up? The demon shuddered as he remembered their audience. He could practically feel the danger of being exposed creep up on them and it only added to his anxiety. Kevin's body had started trembling just slightly and his stomach was twisted in knots by the time the tiger disappeared into Mark's chrysallis. When the tiger's claws punched up through the pod to make an opening, Kevin was laying on his side, curled up with his knees to his chest shaking constantly so that his teeth chattered.

Mark stood up from his used cocoon and checked himself out, but Kevin's teeth rattled so violently he dared not put his tongue in harm's way to speak, lest he bite the end off. Okay, it was a slight exaggeration, but he certainly wasn't up to conversing with the mammalian changeling about how well being a striped furball suited him. Instead he just met the other man's eyes when Mark finally realized where he was. It took Kevin a lot of concentration to keep his focus on what Mark was saying rather than the itch that seemed to crawl over his arms and legs. "N-no D-d-drugs." Kevin said, a violent shiver racing down his back before he resumed his usual shaking and chattering. "H-haven't had any since....last night." Kevin guesstimated, having no idea how long it had really been.

For a moment the demon worried that Mark would somehow have some for him, and he didn't want that for sure. "D-don't w-want any." He said vehemently. "W-wanna be c-clean." Kevin looked around for the stem of the goblin fruit he'd eaten earlier to point at, but he couldn't see it from his vantage point. "M-more nasty f-fruit?" Kev asked, even as he forced himself to sit up, his knees still pressed up to his chest in an attempt to cover his other withdrawal symptom. Unfortunately for the poor man, it seemed he was suffering from priapism, and he didn't want Mark to take it the wrong way.


(sorry dear, I'm going to have to do Zach tomorrow. I've just been informed I have to get up at 5 in the morning so that means going to bed now or I'll be dead for work. >< Sorry.)

[Fou-Lu Dynasty]

In response to the fact that his friend Kevin was certainly indicating that he wanted to remain clean, and that he was wanting to try some of the fruit once more that it might help a bit, which was likely true considering the properties of the stuff, Mark went off to search for one of the fruits required. He leapt, getting used to his new form and high indeed he did leap into the air. He was witnessing the fact that his body was now more tangible, flexible, and strong. Some wicked thoughts ran through his mind regarding just how strong and flexible he might be, but he’d leave such things to later times when he was alone and that he didn’t have a friend in dire need.

He didn’t go too far, but he had to fan out in order to find some of the things. After a few minutes he did locate exactly what he needed, some of the more typical black colored honey sweet fruit that the demon hated, and he dug up a blood root quickly enough, so that he might sell the thing to a friend who sold to vampires from time to time the magical thing that worked just like a direct route drug to them without need of a human filter.

After returning he was running nearly on all fours, though one arm was tucked under and to his chest that held five of the fruits requested. He handed one to Kevin and smiled a toothy grin. “I hope this helps. We can’t stay here much longer. It’s making me nervous just to think about the Gentry finding us.” Mark placed a hand on his friend’s chest a moment and couldn’t help but enjoy the feeling just beneath the pads of his fingers and palm, there was something about the sensitivity of this part of his body that sent shivers up his spine and down it originating directly from his hand. His distraction ended as he realized it would be very silly to be a full grown man-can-thing that might try to knead at another person’s chest. However, he was purring through some strange instinct, he wasn’t even aware of it. “You want any more than this, you let me know.” As he spoke he placed the blood root far to the side, he didn’t know what in the world the thing might do to his friend and he wasn’t about to find out, all things considered.

[Calinthe]

There was a part of Zach, trampled beneath the other mage's spell, that could see just how much this was hurting Vincent and wanted to stop it. Unfortunately, the painful words to throw at the vampire were coming all too quick and easy to override. The mage didn't even have to think of them because he'd already thought of them before. Under normal circumstances he never ever would have said these things, but he'd thought them more than once when he wondered why he even bothered.

As Vincent took to his knees there was no satisfaction in Zacharias at bringing someone else low. There was no pleasure in knowing exactly why Vincent would not look up and meet his eyes. In fact, there was a vague horror that he had done this, that he'd been quite so vicious. The mage stepped closer, his hand lifted as if he might run a hand through the vampire's hair reassuringly, but it stopped short and just hovered there for a moment. If Vincent had looked up in that moment, he might have seen the war raging over Zach's face as he fought to overthrow the other mage's spell... but in the end, he was just a mortal man and magic won out.

Without another word (though he thought of cautioning Vince to wipe everyone's minds) Zacharias turned around and walked out of the room, misery written all over his features. The mage cast a look over where Reggie had been seated, not believing for a second that the creature was gone. There was no time to deal with him though, or find out what he might possibly want with them that he needed to sit outside the room waiting. Since he wasn't showing himself to Zach now, then it was probably Vincent that the stranger was after. No time to stop and find out though, he had somewhere to be.

After a big breakup like that, there was no better way to deal with the pain than to drown himself in some good 'ol fermented hops. Fighting off the urge to look back, Zach walked down the hall as if he hadn't been a patient and they weren't going to expect some sort of recompense for their medical help. Nobody stopped him, and anyone who looked in his direction looked quickly away for some reason. Several of them nearly cringed as he passed them.

It wasn't until he was standing outside in front of the hospital that Zacharias realized he had no car and no cash. He still had his wallet in his pocket, full of credit and debit cards but where was the nearest cash machine?

Before Zacharias could work himself into a tizzy over that, a rather scruffy looking young man drove up in a beat up 'ol rust bucket. He got out, moved forward, and just as Zach thought the blonde would pass him by, the fella stopped and backed up a step, as if only now noticing him. "Hey man... yer not lookin' so good."

"Yeah well... " For a moment Zach almost told this fellow what was doin', but the guy was a stranger and it was none of his business.

As if sensing that the mage was gonna clam up on him, the younger man scratched at his beard a moment and then gave Zach a knowing look. "Yeah, I cann see what's up. Don't hafta say nuthin'. C'mon, I'll get ya sumthin that'll make ya forget it all." The blonde offered with knowing half smile that said he'd been there before himself.

"I don't do drugs." Zach replied immediately, not liking the sound of the blonde's offer.

For his part, the stranger looked honest to God offended that Zacharias would even suggest such a thing. "No man! I'm not a seller man! I jus' think ya could use a drink or two. Iff'n ya had friends to take ya, they'd be here already with the look what's on yer face, an there ain't nobody here for ya. So's I figure I ken be yer buddy for a night. At least til yer demons are drownin' in a flood of whiskey. C'mon." The other man was already tugging Zach towards his shitmobile.

Blue eyes focused on this new guy for a minute and Zach wondered what was up. This was odd. "Look I appreciate your offer but quite frankly, I don't know you from Adam." The mage eyed the man before him with suspicion, but there was nothing supernatural about him. This guy was plain old human, was not wearing anything enchanted, and seemed completely aware of what was going on. "What's your deal?" He asked, hoping to God there was some sort of natural, normal, and believeable answer behind this guy's attention.

"Look man, sorry... it's just... Ya look kinda like I did comin' outta this place when I lost my wife... kinda like yer world jus' ended and forgot to take ya with it." The blonde reached up to scratch at his beard again nervously. "I didn't mean ta upset ye. Jus'...looked like ye could use a friend." With that, the scruffy fellow started to move past him, but stopped when Zach's hand fell on his arm.

"No no, it's not your fault. I'm just in a piss poor mood." Zach debated with himself for just a moment before coming to some sort of decision. "You wouldn't happen to know how to get to that place on the corner of Fort and Charles, would you?" He asked, giving the new guy a shakey smile. "Martini park?"

"Ye bet yer a** I do!" The man grinned, turning to face the mage with a renewed smile and a lot of good will as they shook hands. "The name's John. Johnny McPhearson." He introduced himself while leading Zach towards his crappy car.

"You can call me Cyril." Zach responded, sitting himself down in John's car. Though the beater was a rusted out piece of junk on the outside, the interior was spotless and well cared for. Or at least it was since John had owned it. Just looking at the vehicle one could tell that it had been owned by someone before the man who sat in the driver's seat pulling them away from the curb. "So, how long have you owned this thing? Couldn't have been it's first owner since I can't see you letting it rust to hell like this." The mage surmised, attempting to make conversation.

A shadow passed over the man's face, but was quickly replaced by his friendly smile once more. "This here's been my baby since th'accident." The blonde tapped the dashboard affectionately. "Didn'a have enough money ta buy sumthin' prettier at the time, an' I needed a way to and from work, so Julia here's been a real lifesaver."

"Julia?" Zach queried, figuring he knew how Johnny boy had lost his wife now.

"Yeah. Can't call ev'ry car Betsy now ken we?" They both laughed over that a little and the awkwardness between them seemed to dissipate. The rest of the car ride was full of talk that had nothing to do with breakups or lost loved ones. It had nothing to do with spells or vampires or any other creature. The conversation had nothing to do with anything that Zach was used to discussing and the complete freedom of that left the mage feeling just a little bit lighter.

They arrived at Martini Park shortly after it became dark enough for the street lamps to come on. The two of them walked from their parking space several blocks away and into the well cared for lounge without taking a pause from their conversation to even note who might be watching. It was like zacharias had completely forgotten the nurse from earlier, or the fact that Martini Park was a place known to most supes as a Werewolf hangout.

Zacharias was reminded of that the moment he walked in the door and found several sets of eyes focused on him and his new friend. Though normally the presence of this many supes in one place was enough to make Zach steer clear of a place, for some reason he wanted to hang around. Mustering up a quick smile, the mage led Johnny over to the counter and hailed the barkeep over. Before he could ask if they took debit here, Johnny pulled his wallet out and slapped a couple of fifties down.

"As many o' whatever this fella wants as that'll get 'im... and a whiskey fer me." The barkeep reached for a glass and Johnny cleared his throat. "A tall one." The man behind the counter promptly switched his choice of glasses and John gave a satisfied nod of his head before turning to look at Zach to see what he wanted.

For a moment the mage was stunned that anyone who knew so little of him would lay money down like that, and he wondered if maybe dear old John wanted him drunk for reasons he didn't want to think of. That idea of course didn't make much sense though, since the other man had met him at a hospital, and most people didn't pick up their dates there. But, then why was he at the hospital? He hadn't even gone in and yet he'd turned right back around with Zach. "Why were you at the hospital John?"

The blonde gave Zach a look that obviously wondered why he wasn't ordering, but the younger man answered him anyways. "I was there 'cause I've been gettin' real bad chest pain lately." Johnny reached into the front pocket of his flannel shirt and pulled out a nice full pack of smokes. "I've been smokin' like a chimney since I lost my Jeanie. Thought mebbe I'd gone and got mahself the startin' of some lung cancer or the likes." He explained, even as he lit up and inhaled some more tar. "But I've been puttin' off seein' the doc fer at least a couple 'o' weeks now, seein' you today was just another good reason not to go. B'sides, what's the worst that could happen? I might die a little young cause of some disease? S'not like I'd be missin' much in a shithole of a town like this y'know?" Johnny laughed and the sound turned into a rather nasty sounding cough. The cough ended with Johnny spitting into a rag and looking apologetically at Zach. "Sorry."

Seeing that the other man was completely honest about what he'd been up to, Zach figured it was safe to accept his drinks in the spirit of friendship and hoped to God there was nothing more behind it. "I'll have beer. Whatever you've got on tap, no head." The two of them fell quiet drinking their drinks down, and only when they both had refills did the conversation resume. Unfortunately, all good things really do seem to have a dire need to end.

And this one ended with Eric walking into the bar and sitting down next to Zach.

"You look like s**t Cyril. Here, have another drink." He crooned, ordering another drink for the mage and pouring the contents of a vial into it. There was more than just the suggestion of magic behind those words, and blue eyes fixed a withering glare on Eric even as the mage started to tip the liquid in his glass back.

While Zach stiltedly drank the other mage's potion, Johnny seemed to be all smiles. "You a friend of Cyril's?" He asked, putting his hand out to shake. "Glad ta meetcha!"

Eric, ever the congenial one, put on his own smile and shook Johnny's hand like he meant it. "Sure am!" He replied. "Cyril and I go waaay back. We used to date back when I was in university." Eric's arm settled around Zach's shoulders, and as Johnny's eyes looked to the mage he noticed that his new friend was starting to fall asleep sitting up. Even still Zach managed a glare in Eric's direction. "Would you look at that... he seems to have worn himself out today. Maybe we should take him home." Eric met the blonde's eyes for a minute. "You will help me get him there." Again with magic compulsion, and it was even easier to do with the poor hapless human.

Johnny looked at Zach's drooping eyelids and nodded. "Guy can't hold his liquor can he." The blonde mused as he watched the black haired mage fall asleep, slumping over against Eric. His soft snoring was an almost delicate sound compared to the rather loud and bawdy conversations that were going on in the background of he rest of the place.

A knowing smile crossed Eric's lips as he brought a hand up to brush back Zach's hair before looking over at Johnny. "No, he really can't. Would you mind helping me get him to the car? I think I can force him awake enough to walk, but he probably won't be able to do much more than that." Eric asked. "I parked just a couple of blocks away."

Standing, Johnny moved to hold up the opposite side of the mage while Eric worked his magic in waking Zach just enough to walk. It took a while, since it was worse than trying to walk a stumbling drunk back to the car, but eventually they made it. Eric's car was completely mundane. It was nothing more than an old green Nissan, a little rusty on the back left wheel well, but that was it. They piled Zach into the front seat and buckled him in quickly.

"Well, that oughta do'er." Johnny said, closing the door and stepping back from Eric's car. "You sure you can handle 'im from 'ere?"

The mage looked at Johnny for a moment, almost as if appraising him and then griinned. "You know... you're right. I could probably use some help. I don't know how I'll manage to get him into the house by myself and I live alone. Do you think you could follow behind and help me? I'd appreciate it greatly."

Only too happy to help a man in need, John bobbed his head. "Sure! Not a problem."

So it was that Mr. McPhearson followed behind Eric as the mage drove them outside the city to a nice big, nondescript farmhouse. They parked, inside one of the many outbuildings and then dragged Zach's uncooperative body into the house. From there it was exceedingly easy because Eric wasn't living as alone as he'd led Johnny to believe. In fact, there was quite a number of people there more than willing to take Zach off their hands and into the basement.

"I thought you was alone here?" Johnny accused, his friendly brown eyes narrowing with suspicion.

A chorus of laughter rose up from the other men around the room as Eric moved to stand in front of Johnny and a couple of the other boys behind. "Oh...well it seems that I lied."

"And what about bein' Cyril's friend? You lie about that too?" Johnny asked, pulling himself up to his full height and size, which happened to be bigger than anyone else in the room. If it had been normal men he was up against, good 'ol John would probably have come out on top of things. Unfortunately for him, other than the mage in front of him, the room was full of the terminally furry.

"About Cyril?" Eric seemed to contemplated that for a moment. "Not quite. We really were friends once, just because I'd like to gouge his eyes out with hot pokers now... and we really did date when I was in university. Unfortunately, that ******** b*****d that he was always holding out hope for called him. It had been years since that loser had so much as spoken to him, and yet Zach went running." A quiet laugh that promised things unpleasant escaped through the mage's upturned lips. "He won't be running this time, even if I have to saw off both his legs at the knees. And you... you won't be running either."

As if on cue, Johnny tried to make for the door, but there was no use. With a werewolf on either side, the human wasn't going anywhere. "What the hell do you think you're doing!" The blonde snarled.

"Me?" Eric laughed. "Why, I'm keeping a little bit of assurance that Zach will be on his best behaviour." A hand reached out and ran down the front of Johnny's buttoned down flannel and still a little further. "And getting a new toy while I'm at it." The human bucked and fought to hit Eric's smug face, but couldn't manage it so he spat on him instead. "Boys... tie him up in the barn, without his clothes if you will. If he's going to act like an animal, then I'm going to treat him like one."

Johnny was dragged off, yelling and fighting the whole way. Eric just went about his business as if he couldn't hear it, but one of the younger werewolves just couldn't help but speak up. "We know you can make people do what you want Eric, why didn't you just spell him to silence?"

The mage took a moment to remove the wig that covered his hair and the enchanted glasses that hid his eyes before pinning the young pup with his gunmetal stare. "Because Matthew... I like it when they can still scream."

[Amano Yoshi]

Zach walked out and actually left him. The part of Vincent that was hoping he wouldn’t based on how painfully close the instant hurt had been to even think on if it was a possibility shattered in an instant. He didn’t actually believe such a thing would ever happen, not after all this time and not when of all times he was there for Zach, really there for him forever and truthfully. This was a special sort of hell and inside the vampire there was a white hot fire and a voice that he knew so well. The beast inside Vincent was hungry for destruction and blood as frenzy licked just behind his eyes. Vincent was having a hard time convincing himself that he should re-shackle his nature. The very thing that made him a blood thirsty creature was a tangible thing for all vampires and it would stop at nothing to indulge in bloodletting along with wonton destruction once it was free.

The vampire shuddered there in that room that felt as dark as the deepest pit in the earth despite the fact that wickedly bright fluorescent lighting was beaming itself all around every nook and cranny it seemed. The vampire clenched his fists hard as he decided he’d fight the beast, but of course not before letting it get out just enough to feel the anger boil as his mind needed. He had to feel something so strongly as blinding rage before he could do anything else. Without it he’d feel completely hollow and emptier than ever he had. Had the beast been given too much of a leash however? Likely that was the case and the blood heat was upon the vampire now. He saw a nurse starting to move through the hall simply by her heat moving through the air space. Vincent had not yet even looked toward her. He stood up, turned and started moving toward her with a fang filled smile. She was completely unaware of her pending doom.

Alison Houston’s angel was watching out for her today however, as soon as the vampire was starting toward her directly the door closed in front of him, and behind it a beast stood that now barred his path. A new subject for his rage awaited his claws and Vince lashed out with lightning speed reflexes, cutting into the hairy things shoulder.

The beast, accustomed to pain didn’t so much as yelp as it moved just as quickly butting into the vampire’s torso like the most skilled linebacker in history. They flew backward to the rear wall with a thud and then the hairy thing punched Vincent across the face with such force as to crack the visage of perfection at the jaw-line. This werewolf certainly knew how to fight despite his young age, but of course that was all his people knew and it had been bred down the line for so many generations since the dawn of time that it came naturally.

The two erupted into a blur of claws, torn flesh, and fur flying. Both of the creatures healed supernaturally fast, and if they were making any more noise besides the occasional thuds against the wall, there would be those that came to check on what went on behind the now closed door. Vincent running low on blood was suddenly very thirsty, his inner beast became far more complacent by having an outlet for the rage that fueled the quick movements and his own feral actions. If an outside observer managed to come across the scene and have quick enough reflexes along with sight to see what was happening in the blur of red, white, and brown, the observer would likely be unable to tell who the animal was.

One final punch to the face and the damage to Vincent’s form were severe enough to bring him too, but not enough to yet torpor the blood sucker. Once he had control of himself once more he had to take a moment to realize what was happening. His mind processed what he’d half missed and he quickly ducked out of the way of yet another blow. At that point he leapt backward across the room and gazed toward the other creature as an aura of Majesty rose from the vampire, making it nigh impossible for the assault to continue. Now the creature mentally had no desire to harm something as wonderful as the origin of the aura based discipline. Vincent stood healing as he gazed at the creature with still angry eyes. He was emotionally exhausted though he kept up his front as best as possible.

It was easy enough to see that the creature was Uratha, A werewolf. Something his kind called a lupine when it came to more ignorant tongues. Having the vast collection of knowledge available to him, Vincent knew their true name and decided since he had a moment he’d better pour on the diplomacy, for he was so low on vitae at this point, that he was a much easier target than normal. “I have no qualm with the children of the moon. The way I see it you stopped me from making a horrible mistake while I had lost control of myself. Return to a less frightening form and we can talk.” The vampire figuratively crossed his fingers while contingency plans filled his mind. What else could go wrong tonight?

[Mujo no Kaze]

Reggie was prepared for the vampire when the mage left the room. Though Reggie was convinced that Zacharias couldn’t possibly be a normal human considering how easily he got angry and shattered a vampire’s resolve, he had no idea what it was that Zach was, but he didn’t have time to find out. Being young wasn’t an option for the People of the Moon. Reggie was well aware that the vampire had a blood lust in its eyes, that he’d broken, and that the werewolf had to do something before innocents were harmed. His elders had taught him of the death rage that could consume a werewolf in the war form, and they even told him that some vampires during combat lost their will also. They taught him that they also had an emotional fragility that would let them lash out in the same way that Reggie might one day if he wasn’t careful to keep his anger in check. Beasts of passion they both were, and so they deserved respect.

The werewolf didn’t pull a single punch, because he knew the vampire could take it, but he wasn’t trying to hurt him permanently. After the vampire got a hold on himself he finally started speaking and backing away. The werewolf however now had to wrestle with a very similar situation. The rage that burned behind his own eyes at being in the war form for too long almost consumed him. His wounds were healing naturally and quickly enough, but the problem was that he was so angry at the fact that the vampire was winning a moment ago. If the vampire hadn’t voluntarily quit the werewolf was at his last bit of steam to keep up that brawl. How could he be so weak and how could he let himself nearly be killed by a leach?

Reggie had to listen to his elders and their words of warning burned in his mind, though he normally hated any brand of authority, he didn’t feel right or like himself, so he shifted directly back to a human form in order to keep some semblance of his human side. “Then get out of here before you hurt someone, or I hurt you….” The werewolf growled and his human vocal cords likely made it a laughable sound to the Uratha. He only hoped it sounded as threatening as he intended.

[Amano Yoshi]

Vincent was nearly tempted to turn back around and rip that beast’s throat out but he decided the hell with it, He gathered himself up and after he finished healing he stepped outside of the room and closed the door behind him, thinking that there was no doubt the wolf needed to lick his own wounds. Obfuscate gave Vincent the appearance of someone in a perfectly clean and expensive suit, despite the fact that he was walking around in torn to shreds pieces of thread that were barely being held together.

The vampire headed over to the elevator and smiled at the security guard who was inside, also headed down and probably home. As he sat in that elevator going down to floor one he mentally tapped into the humans mind. “Quit your job, go home, and kill your entire family.” Vincent commanded with the power of dominate behind the power of telepathy granted him by his skilled levels of auspex. Though he wasn’t raging, he was still angry and he was going to have some blood. This wouldn’t settle it all, but what amused him was the fact that the officer spoke into some sort of communications device strapped to his shoulder in which that he spoke harsh words to his commander, boss, or whatever he might be and the forceful assertion that he had quit. Vincent couldn’t help but smile knowing that he’d succeeded in exactly what he’d intended.

The elevator stopped on the first floor and the vampire left the hospital while calling on his cell one of his many minions, who he instructed in coded, encrypted words to meet him at the Northwest Memorial Hospital complete with a brand new suit, a pair of his swords, and some weapons. There would certainly be blood tonight. He had thought of meeting the sun in the morning, but it’d be far more fun to create a blood bath which would crack the masquerade and force the hands of kindred who had even managed to become his puppets in some respects. No one could keep up the false front now. Vincent was going to die soon, but he was going to take a hell of a lot of people with him.

As he exited the Hospital he lingered on the sidewalk for a while near the curb closest to the entrance awaiting the well known Hyundai that would wheel him away from this awful place. He greeted his driver, another ghoul, Herbert and smiled at him. “You brought my very favorites.” The vampire commented to his most trusted ally. The windows on the vehicle were far too tinted to be legal, but if an officer ever ran the plates they’d get an immediate order to ignore the car unless it was traveling at one twenty down the freeway. Vince took the opportunity to strip down and get into a new suit complete with far too many pockets filled with too many a lethal gadget. He also strapped a bullet proof vest to further dull the nearly useless sting of bullets from his flesh, which would also provide some mundane defense against knives and the like. He strapped a 9mm to his left ankle via a custom designed strap. The vampire pulled a pump action shotgun over his shoulder and thanks to a handy strap now carried it on his back. He then tied two swords to both hips via many different buckled leather belts. Vincent held the AK-47 brought for him in both his hands with a wicked grin on his face. All of these items faded beyond normal sight as he concealed them on his own person and then he looked once more at his driver. “Let’s visit suburbia. One of those middle of nowhere rich p***k homes who thinks he’s too good to live in the city with his family. Let’s show him why people fear living too far from a police station. I’m hungry as hell.”

In the end, Vincent wouldn’t even use any of the weapons he’d brought with him. Instead he simply crept room to room in the middle of the night snapping necks and draining blood. A family of seven, a large one really, would be reportedly missing on the news three days later with traces and whereabouts completely unknown. It was amazing what you could do with nearly unlimited resources and a vat of acid. Now, Vince was full, a little less angry at the world and a little angrier at one man. He was hurt, angry, and quite worried. He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d made the wrong decision in letting Zach out of his sight. It wasn’t something that the mage would likely have done without coercion. Something was very, very strange. He had to hear this with his own ears once more. This time he’d be a little bit more prepared, and certainly even further loaded for bear.

“Marvin? It’s Vincent White, listen I may need some things out of storage. The medallion of Antaeus, we didn’t let anyone borrow it for ritual did we? I need it.” The vampire was grateful to hear a no. “Oh, and tell the Ordo that I might need a recalculation of ley lines. There are some seriously strange vibrations out and about town tonight. Also, I may need help dealing with a mage.” One phone call to one of the members of the Ordo Dracul that he trusted sounded as if he might invite a friend over and after he’d just finished killing an entire family, draining them dry and then melting their remains with acid to be discarded into the water works of the city, Vincent really was a horrid monster.

Vincent made one more call and this time the cell phone receiving the call was his own. The headline for the call showed up as “pizza” as it was ringing through and Vincent hoped that the demon would actually answer.

[Calinthe]

Despite having just promised himself he wasn't going to eat any more of that fruit, Kalial was pleased when Mark went running off to find him some. It didn't matter how bad that mushy crap tasted, if it could stop the withdrawal symptoms, he'd bear it with a smile on his face. Okay... maybe there wouldn't be a smile, but at least he'd shut up and not complain. The only problem was, the demon wasn't so sure that it was going to be effective. It had indeed healed up the cuts that the hedge created...but only on th surface. It was only now when he was already aching and sore that the demon realized all the places he'd been cut were still sore to the touch. He'd been so busy with Mark before doing...other things, that he hadn't registered the lingering discomfort. What if eating the fruit was only like slapping bandaid on the problem? Guess they'd find out when the tiger got back

The longer Mark was away, the more worried Kevin became. What if something had happened to the changeling? What if he'd been found and captured and the demon was left there by himself? He was aware that the group of creatures that had been watching them was gone now. He knew that they would have tales of a changeling having been reborn to tell eachother, and word would spread. How quickly would it reach the ears of the gentry? How soon would one of the true fae come looking for the two strangers that had entered the hedge? What would they do to Mark if he was recaptured? What would they do to a demon? There was no way that Kevin had the strength to fend them off with so few believers to lend him their faith. Imagine, being held prisoner again in an all new sort of hell. A violent shudder wracked Kali's body, and it wasn't just from the lack of heroin in his system.

As he lay there waiting for Mark to return with the fruit, and odd buzzing sound caught his attention. It took another buzz before the demon realized it was the phone that Vincent had given him before, and a third before he fished it out of his pocket. Checking the name that showed up, the demon answered it instantly. Pizza was the name that the vampire had said to pick up for, wasn't it? He certainly hoped it was...

"Tell me, what do you need in order to increase your power and how can I help you get it? I might need a really big favor."

The voice was the one Kalial remembered from the vampire, only it sounded more strained. Something had happened while they were gone, and the demon didn't like that. Something he also didn't like was the fact that whatever was going down outside of Faerie was bad enough that the vampire thought he needed a full strength demon to come to his aid. Still... if Vince would help Kali gain the power he needed, it was only to the good for him. Especially since it would give him the juice to rid his body of this wicked addiction.

With Mark gone, Kevin didn't feel the need to keep up appearances, and so he let himself slump to the side and shake miserably while he spoke to the vampire. "N-need your b-blood." He admitted, his teeth still chattering away as if he were freezing. Though he didn't like the idea of being bound to Vincent any more than he'd liked it the first time, it was the quickest way to kick this addiction. "Then n-need an audience y-you t-trust. They have to b-believe in d-demons. Then I n-need a trip to a h-hospital to work m-miracles."

Just then Mark returned with his arms laden full of that black fruit and a promise to get more should he need it. Kalial shook his head. Rather than keep talking while he sounded like he had a really bad speech impediment he quickly bit into and drained one of the squishy things. When he managed to stop his gorge from rising, he went back to his phone conversation with Vincent. "We're in Faerie at the moment, and my body just decided to go into withdrawals. Hence the need for blood. Mark's brought me some nasty fruit that fixes things temporarily on my body, but I'm going to need your blood to make more than a temporary fix. Hopefully that way I won't look like a messed up crazy junkie when you introduce me to your friends. Think you can meet us at the warehouse at..." Kali rattled off the address as he brought himself to his feet.

Once the convo with the vampire was done, Kevin nodded to Mark. "Thanks for the fruit. It helps, but it's no cure." The demon started looking for the dirt path they'd followed but everything kind of looked the same. "I can help carry those fruits, I have a feeling the shakes are going to creep back up on me by the time we reach the hedge again and we can't afford to stop. I think we've been in here too long already."

As if on cue, the water nymph from before showed up, rushing out of the water's surface to the edge of her pond. She waved her arms to get their attention. "Run! You need to run! You've been sighted and word has nearly reached the fae!" The woman pointed in the direction they'd come, urging them on.

Kalial needed no further encouragement, he ran. He ran as fast as his legs would take him and then some. Even if Mark hadn't been able to pass him with ease in his new form, the demon would have needed to follow, so he made sure he fell in behind the tiger and tried not to trip or fall in the race to leave the hedge before the gentry learned they were there and made it impossible to leave.

[Fou-Lu Dynasty]

Mark was curiously wondering why in the world a cell phone was even working in faerie and thought instantly that it was happening because someone wanted it to happen as all things in faerie were either unpredictable or very predictable if you knew the gentry who was controlling the area. Perhaps this was a way to lure yet another to the foul clutches of whatever madness that awaited in the place he and Kevin were now stuck.

At the warning bells being tolled by the nymph Mark couldn’t help but wonder, where she had come from and her reason for assisting the two intruders. Sure, Mark wasn’t human but that still wouldn’t really matter since he had an outsider with him that very much appeared to be exactly that. Still, he learned long ago to never look a gift horse in the mouth and he too was up and running before another few moments passed.

As the two were running through the literal hedge he hoped they would make it and all the while an ominous voice that boomed and could be heard from every angle and every way both physically rebounding off the hedge and other physical objects but also seemingly bounding back and forth on the inside of his own skull.

“I saw a man pursuing the horizon;
Round and round he sped.
I was disturbed at this;
I accosted the man.
It is futile, I said.
You can never ---

You lie, he cried and ran on.”

What devilry was this, it was one of the gentry playing with them and the voice so cackling and filled with malice made him cringe. Mark was terrified and the sound that he made much like squealing terror spilled out of him unwillingly. He couldn’t be caught here in his own hollow could he? He supposed that he no longer had a hollow, for the gentry to be speaking to you meant that they already knew where you were and they fully intended to do nothing but play with those that it may have already captured.

Fortune favors the bold however and Mark used his claws and all the strength both inner and bodily that he could muster. He couldn’t harm the hedge as nothing could, but he could certainly cause it to temporarily get out of the way if he really wanted to. Flames spewed from his claws enhancing them with magic. The fiery fury and force that came from his slashing arm cut a branch of the hedge in two. It grew back the instant that he and Kevin had passed it, but that certainly didn’t slow the tiger down. He wasn’t stopping for anything. His fearful cries became roars of defiance as he slashed with magical fire and claw again and again. He kept hacking and slashing and praying to anyone that would listen that he get out of this place to live another day in the fetid streets of Chicago. A moment or two later and freedom had come at last. There he was standing in the middle of the abandoned warehouse, and he’d forgotten his clothing. Something about having fur and rough pads at the bottom of his now paw-like feet made them easy to forget, though now he felt slightly more exposed. Naturally to Kevin, the infusion of glamour would be great enough that he’d not notice the fake Mark, the mask, again for a time. Vincent however, if he actually managed to meet up with them would see a very naked businessman standing beside his friend Kevin, who would try to remain as modest as possible given the lack of threads.

Outside, Mark sighed in great relief. “Oh my gods, we made it. I can’t believe we made it. I thought she had us for sure.”

[Amano Yoshi]

After agreeing to meet the demon at the strange warehouse he couldn’t help but notice the strange jump in the conversation. While he was speaking with the demon at first he’d wanted to ask if he was alright, though he knew the answer and thought it might seem less than genuine he at least wanted to convey concern for the wellbeing of the person he was going to try and get a favor from. What further surprised him, though more as a side note was the fact that the demon had apparently changed his mind about taking some of his blood? Strangely the vampire thought to himself that he didn’t want to go down that road with anyone else that he intended to be friends with. He didn’t want another situation to replace his bond with Zach so easily, and another part said it was the perfect opportunity to replace the mage entirely. Perhaps if he could find someone to enslave and to waste some nights with in amusement he could get over the fellow. Vincent knew he wasn’t thinking straight and shut his beastly do-what-you-want nature out of his thoughts.

“I’ll be there immediately.” The vampire fed the address to his driver and kept his weapons ready. He got the feeling he might need them. There was a little more desperation in Kevin’s voice aside drug addled shakes. After telling the driver to floor it and ignore unnecessary traffic lights he had hung up the phone and started dialing yet another number.

“Marvin? It’s me again. Hey listen, how would you like to meet a demon?” Vincent smiled ear to ear as he heard protests coming from the other side of the line in response. “I mean a real one. Am I one for jokes? Get Sarah, Michael, Shaun, Davis, Malice, Shade and Portola together for me and be ready for a meeting in my office. Bring the medallion with you.” The vampire hung up the phone before there was another protest or the chance that the other kindred might get the idea he wasn’t serious. If they showed up thinking that he wasn’t telling the truth he was hoping that his friend could prove them wrong with a fiery vengeance or some other demonic display.

The drive went quickly though there was a set of flashing lights that went off behind them, the officer quickly sped past them either because of another actual emergency, or pretending there was one knowing that the car had probably been ordered to ignore the vehicle Vincent was in. After arriving the vampire stepped out of his car and stood on the corner of the sidewalk waiting. He huffed in irritation. Was he too early or too late? Either way, the obfuscated weaponry was ready to go.

[Prince Lyre]

Amano Yoshi

Miss Rachael Segovia grinned ear to ear. “If you don’t believe that highly influential kindred cannot assist you, then I’m certain you could rule this city as you wish.” The woman continued smiling as she continued. “I have power in this city’s government that I very much doubt you’ve even obtained. Though it’s quite true that human beings are ruled by their lusts, they’re only subjected to such a state that their Id controls for so long before they revert to shame and desperation all over again.”

The woman produced a black cigarette from a purse she was carrying, lit it, inhaled deeply and then blew out smoke that smelled of cloves. “That’s what you need the kindred for, so that they can create laws through their puppets that protect you, your haven, and everything about your way of life. What do you think was the instrument in ending prohibition?” She smiled and puffed at her cigarette again.

“We’re here, madam.” The driver chimed in and took the attention of Miss Segovia. After the car was parked the driver exited, walked to the back and then opened the door for the two passengers.

Gabriel turned to look at her, letting his gaze flow over her slowly and leisurely. He leaned forward, putting a hand on her thigh. Upon her exhalation, he put his face into the cloud of smoke and breathed in, nostrils flaring. "Not only humans are ruled thus, Miss Segovia," he said.

He let his aura relax, pheromones swirling freely about him as they willed. He smelled of spices. Cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ginger and the smallest hint of Cayenne. It was dry like wood smoke. The kind of dry that invited quenching, almost demanding it like the natural order of things.

When he'd let the silence stretch to the edge of its comfort zone, he smiled. "I can help you. You can help me. I'd like us to like each other, Miss Segovia. Your game sounds like fun. All that remains is for you to tell me the rules and what position I play." He made the word 'position' sound like something lewd. "What a happy little kindred you shall have. I like happy vampires."