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[picture.perfect.failure]
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 Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 9:34 pm
The initial shock of her current situation had passed, and Felicia no longer flinched at the sudden movements Alexz caused to happen. However, she continued to seethe embarrassment. She had just ambushed her meal! How could she allow herself to be taken so easily?
"I will admit, crossing you was highly negligent of me. Obviously..." she eyed the edge of the roof, "...I was much more concerned with sneaking around and not getting caught - by them, anyway."
She didn't owe this stony broad an explanation. The story was far too personal, and Alexz wouldn't believe her anyhow, let alone care. She slowly elevated her body and offered the elder a cold gaze that lasted until she was once again flat on her feet.
"I know what you're thinking. I'm young and inexperienced. I could get hurt, or worse. And that I'm interfering." She brushed hair from her face. "I don't know if you believe in chance, but I am its eternal slave, and this was all entirely unintentional on my part." Felicia was older and wiser than she appeared, but she was also lacking formal training and extended interaction with her kind - or any other immortal, for that matter.
The second flinging of Alexz's weapon spooked her. She hadn't touched it this time. She peered over the edge to the streets below; someone was being even more intrusive than she had been. Obviously tense to her core, Felicia began scouting for an exit route as suggested.GaBbYmEnTaL Alexz definitely hadn't anticipated Felicia's use of telekinesis, which turned out to be a slight advantage for the younger vampire as the the unexpected burst of energy made the dagger easily slip from her fingers and across the rooftop. However, it did not rest so far for long as she retrieved it using more telekinesis, moving her hand up to catch the dagger by the handle as it sliced back through the air. She chose not to press the dagger to Felicia's neck as she had before, though that by no means indicated a level of trust. Firmly holding the dagger at her side, she listened as the young vampire spoke, her facial features remaining unchanged and as smooth as those of a statue.
"A peculiar choice for a rooftop for someone supposedly avoiding the fight, wouldn't you say? Just so happened to chose the one with another upon it?" she arched a brow.
She observed the vampire beneath her for a moment, evaluating whether or not she could possibly be involved with the Nightwatch or Katarina and Lucien. Though youth was often a target for extremist groups, Felicia's lack of awareness was indicative of a lack of training, at least the kind any assassin group or older elitist vampire would possess. After making this assessment, she loosened her grip on her wrists and removed herself from her chest, standing at her feet.
Without offering a hand, she spoke again, quietly so her voice would be masked by the wind, "I would leave if I were you."
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 10:21 pm
As she opened her mouth to respond to Felicia, her dagger was unexpectedly wrenched from her hand by a much stronger force than before. She hissed in frustration as it whipped through the air towards the very rooftop she was trying to avoid. As Kensington spoke into her mind, identifying him as the culprit, though she had assumed as much judging by the power of the telekinetic pull, she sighed. With her position now exposed, it would only be logical for her to join them on the roof instead of hiding in the shadows.
"Take more care next time. As you can see, the city's a dangerous place. Welcome to New York," Alexz said before stepping into the darkness and reemerging at Veroen's side.
Taking a step towards Kensington, she spoke, "Now Kensington, it's not very nice to take what isn't yours," she stretched out her hand, "I'll have that back now."
Though she had changed very much since their last encounter, his change was far more drastic and for the worse. As she spoke to him, her eyes searched his for any glimpse of who he once was. The fanatic before her felt like a stranger masquerading as a dear friend as she wondered if he would ever come to his senses on his own terms. If it were to be by force, she knew it wouldn't be pretty and it most certainly wouldn't be easy. But she was a leader who had to preserve order and ensure the future of the Coven, which he directly threatened with his insubordination. Peaceful cohabitation amongst the races in the city was the only option for the future, one which she would vehemently defend despite their personal history.
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:21 pm
The sight of Alexz invoked strong emotion in Kensington and for a moment his face looked troubled as he tried to fight the Founders psychic indoctrination. But fight hard as he might the bars in his mind controlling his free will remained firmly shut.
Kensington had become a prisoner of his own mind. The Founder had used Kensington's mistrust of the Lycan race to his advantage, gently manipulating him and enhancing that distrust until it manifested in an uncontrollable hatred whilst at the same time putting subtle psychic barriers in his mind. By the time Kensington had realized it was too late and the Founder was able to command him like a puppet.
The more Kensington fought, the stronger the grip the Founder maintained on him. There was no escape.
He looked at the dagger before throwing at Alexz' feet, 'So nice to see you again my dear. Still consorting with blood traitors though, rather disappointing of you.'
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Posted: Thu Feb 28, 2013 11:52 pm
Veroen turned his head as Kensington opened his mouth in defiance at the Void Elder's words. He was silent as Kensington continued to verbally attack Veroen's morals, accusing him of being the spark that would start a civil war.
Veroen's eyes continued to pulsate with void power. He was silent after Kensington finished, and watched as the psychic vampire took Alexz's blade from a building down the road. He closed his eyes for a moment, and opened them when he felt a shift in the Void, which came from Alexz appearing next to him. He glanced at Alexz, and spoke into her mind using only the connection they had as Elders, rather than by thought, since Kensington would more than likely be able to intercept any telecommunication between them.
'That Kensington is starting to become more of a nuisance than I am willing to bear. We may have to kill him, if he is this wrapped up in his delusions... And as far as Katarina goes, she'll be more of a challenge, I'm sure. If this situation ignites, myself and Rogue will take Katarina and Lucien. You take care of Kensington, since you know him better than myself, but it may come to all three of us taking down Katarina and her cowboy. Lucien's level of Void knowledge is fairly formidable, but I can only imagine Katarinas. She may very well be close to me if not the same. Be on your guard, and don't worry about me, whatever you may feel from me. If I am forced to take this to a dangerous level with the Void, what you see may... frighten you.' Veroen had learned a handful of new abilities from Tzun Khu, several of which were meant only for emergencies, abilities that could take the life of the user if overused, for they were abilities that harnessed the darkest depts of the Voids unlimited pool of power. One of them was the same ability that Kasuya Minitashi tried to kill Veroen with, the very ability that left Veroen scarred for eternity. If Kasuya had been as powerful as Veroen was now, it would have surely ended Veroen's immortal life. Veroen knew that with the connection he had with the Void, there was no one that could survive its full effects, though it would result with Veroen's death as well. As powerful of a sacrifice as that would be, Veroen's responsibility as an Elder could not be thrown away with a kamikaze attack like that.
His other newly learned and honed abilities, however, could be used without costing Veroen his life. They were abilities that have been used only a handful of times throughout the planets history, for there were only a handful that could use it, and Tzun Khu, Kyrre, and himself were the last remaining Void Masters that knew of these abilities, though he was unsure if Kyrre was still alive.
Veroen looked at Kensington, finally replying to his long and irritating statement.
"As I recall, you fired the first shot with your attack on the safehouse. As delusional as you are, I expected your competence to be intact." He paused for a moment, before continuing. "..Perhaps I was incorrect in assuming as much. No, Kensington, you are the spark, your precious Nightwatch is the spark, and your actions have condemned you and your rebellious comrades." As Kensington began to charge his psychic abilities, Veroen's fangs grew, and a smile played on the corner of his mouth. Kensington's arrogance was not surprising to the Elder.
Veroen could see that the situation stood on the edge of a knife, and one false move could result in bloodshed. He wondered if Ceon could grasp what himself, Rogue, and Alexz were sacrificing in order to promote coexistence...
Veroen was not as tense as it would have seemed, partly because Veroen was not afraid of death. Whatever afterlife there may be, it would surely be better than this hellish existence as an Immortal chained by the power of the Void.
Veroen nonchalantly flicked the fingers of his free hand and a cigar appeared with a flash of void energy, in between his index finger and his thumb. He placed it in his mouth, and did the same motion again with the same hand, manifesting his silver lighter that had the words, "Audaces fortuna iuvat" engraved in its silver exterior. It was latin for "Fortune favors the bold."
He lit his cigar with it, before letting the lighter melt back into the Void. The phrase had a lot of meaning to Veroen, and its words held a lot of Value to the Elder, especially in situations like this.
He inhaled the smoke from his Cigar, still clutching his katana in his right hand. The katana was made of silver as well, and had a hidden dagger in the hilt. The sword was made long ago when he was only but a deathdealer, and it was made of solid silver. It was created to be a tool used for gutting Lycans, when his sole purpose was killing the Alpha, Jaden. It was ironic now, that he would wield it against a psychotic organization who's sole purpose was exterminating Lycans, and those who did not agree with them.
He exhaled, finding the irony of the situation to be humorous to say the least.
Though it would seem that Veroen had his guard down in these moments, he actually was very prepared for any incoming attacks that would be aimed at catching him off guard. If this ignited a battle, Veroen would be well equipped for it, especially against Kensington. Though Kensington was strong in psychic abilities, he would regret it if he tried any mind reading or mind controlling abilities. Only a powerful psychic Vampire like Alexz could pierce his mind without any trouble from the Void. Veroen's mind was not something anyone would want to ever get inside.
Katarina and Lucien, however, may prove to be more of a challenge than Veroen hoped.
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Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:00 am
His stallion once again whinnied as the single-named man from the bar suddenly appeared in a flash of void energy, likely to defend what was left of his little trio of assassins. He had utterly no sympathy for the fallen doppelgangers, for he had utterly no respect for their source. He aimed his rifle toward the newcomer to their little rooftop party, once again pulling on the lever to chamber a round. He was not about to shoot him yet, not unless Katarina decided he would be their next enemy. He had no doubt that at some point he might have to pull the trigger on the assassin, whether tonight or in the coming year, given his stance. It was wrong, allowing the damned dogs to coexist like this corrupt coven had. The covens were their enemies as a species, like competing predators in the wild, and anyone who somehow tricked themselves into thinking otherwise were damn fools.
Being an Elder was no guarantee of wisdom, as he had learned one too many times.
Veroen questioned their presence here, as they had stopped what he referred to as an operation, after he'd ordered his last remaining assassin to leave with the unconscious member of Kensington's team. The man resonated with void energy, but that in no way whatsoever scared the cowboy. Instead, it simply brought a smirk to his stubbly countenance. He always liked it when his enemies were significantly stronger than he was. Somehow the challenge always brought out the best in him, and he always anticipated such battles, even if it had not yet gotten to that point yet. Moreover, he was not exactly impressed with the man's power, because whatever this man could do, he had absolutely no doubt in his mind that his friend Katarina could do it tenfold; a nigh millennium's worth of experience as a void-touched vampire had a way of overpowering even those with the most prestigious training in the world. His friend's presence alone nullified any threat the man would likely pose.
As per typical, he allowed Katarina to do all the talking with Veroen. Frankly, he did not care at all what the man had to say over the matter, and only half listened to him. As typical, it was all politics and formalities, even in the tense situation. It simply did not matter any to the cowboy, all he cared about was whether or not the man would attack them or not. It seemed for a bit that he was trying to reason with them, which was a notion that made him laugh even outwardly, refusing to show any sign of respect to the man whatsoever. Anyone who dared suffer a werewolf to live was not fit to reason with flies, let alone one of the most powerful voidmasters he'd ever met and her trusty gunslinger companion. Again he could not help but laugh when the vampiric assassin exclaimed that, while they may outnumber him, they certainly did not outmatch him. Whatever this man's reason for his ego, it still failed to impress him. He highly doubted he had the experience that Katarina had, especially if he made it such a big point to display his power for all to see I the way he did. Lucien was no fool, and he knew better than to underestimate his enemies, but he also knew well enough to believe that someone who so desperately made it a point to shout out 'Fear me!' over and over again was clearly someone with size issues. The cowboy made no boasts, ever, he simply allowed his actions to speak.
Kensington chimed in, clearly offended at the notion of being called a traitor to the coven. Long winded and melodramatic as his speech was though, he had to agree with it. These people who would allow the lycans to roam about the place as if they were equals clearly had to be reminded their place. lycans were utterly unworthy of being considered equals, and they were nothing but animals taking the scraps from the greater species' table when they were not even worth the dirt under their boots. These people who simply allowed the lycans to walk free, and made bedfellows with them, only brought shame to the species. Whoever these Nightwatch people were, they seemed to understand well enough what was right as a vampire. The purity of their species was at stake, and they had come to defend it. It was almost admirable to the cowboy, if he even considered that a possibility, for there were few things he truly admired.
Soon Veroen was joined by a woman, another of the vampires from the bar, appearing out of thin air. His eyes narrowed on her for a moment, and he released the hand holding onto the rifle's barrel to keep it steady, instead using the natural strength that came with being a vampire to keep it steady even as he held it with a single hand. He raised his left hand as another small flash of void energy filled it, allowing him to pull his pistol seemingly out of thin air, aiming it at the two as he had the rifle, more than ready to shoot if it came down to it. With both guns, Butch and Sundance once again reunited, he had more than enough bullets; and with his uncanny precision with both guns, he was more than ready to put bullets inside some heads if it came down to it. No doubt the revolver would look odd to the others, with a twenty-four shot clip under the length of the barrel that ejected whole cylinders instead of simply another bullet; with the chambered cylinder, that made thirty shots total in his pistol. It was a gun he himself had created simply because, while he could appreciate the clip size of modern double-stacked pistols and submachine guns, tradition demanded he never move on from the revolvers he grew up using and making as an extremely talented gunsmith.
It was that same respect for tradition that kept him from being able to understand why in the name of God these New York vampires thought it was a good idea to consort with lycans of all creatures. Either way, he would allow Katarina to decide whether or not these people were worth fighting.
As far as first impressions went, he less than impressed. He knew it was a bad idea to come to New York.
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Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 1:55 am
Veroen's eyes darted to Lucien, who manifested a customized revolver into his free hand. The cowboy was silent, but clearly ready to attack, given that both his weapons were aimed at Alexz and himself. Veroen's eyes narrowed, and something inside him knew that this was not going to be pretty. He had to hand it to the cowboy though, the revolver was something Veroen had never seen before, a weapon with a magazine attachment that held full cylinders with 6 shots in each one. It was unfortunate that these two were against them.
Alexz, and Rogue both knew that Veroen was quiet, and not likely to be the type that boasted of power, as was his attitude from being an assassin. Preferring to listen, rather than speak, always using what information he heard as a weapon; that was his way of life. The purpose of his words, which he knew would not be understood by any of the three foes in front of him, was to hide Rogue's presence. A self righteous power boasting Vampire Elder was exactly the role that Veroen was playing for these three, exclaiming that they outnumbered him but didnt outmatch him, when in reality it would be a three on three battle. Allowing his power to pulsate through his eyes was just the icing on the cake, a little bit extra to ensure that they perceived him as the type of person he was acting as. Veroen knew the advantage of a hidden attack, and Rogue would fulfill that role of this battle should it start. As powerful as Katarina might be, she was one Elder in the midst of three, though none of the three foes in front of him would know.
To be an assassin was to embrace the shadows, and use deceit as a weapon. The fact that neither Kensington, Lucien, or Katarina knew him was being utilized by Veroen. He was not foolish enough to underestimate any of them. If he were the type to underestimate, he would not be standing there, and would probably be in an unmarked grave somewhere in Europe.
Veroen had not become Kyrre's succession by chance, and Kensington, Lucien, and Katarina would learn that very quickly should they decide to engage himself and Alexz. He just hoped that Rogue would catch what he was doing by acting the role of such a overconfident Elder, and stay hidden until the fighting started.
He put his Cuban cigar to his mouth again, inhaling its juicy flavored smoke into his dead lungs, wishing that he could taste it, should this night be his last. As he exhaled, however, he dropped the cigar from his left hand. As it fell through the air silently, its cherry burning brighter from the incoming force of the air as it fell, a flash of Void energy came from the palm of his now empty left hand, manifesting into one of his own specialized pistols before the Cigar even hit the ground. One of two to be exact. Though Veroen had no names for them, they were customized for his type of work nonetheless. One was specially designed for killing Lycans, and the one he chose to manifest was customized for Vampire assassinations, in the rare occasions that it was needed. Both his handguns were originally .50 caliber Desert Eagles, with some modifications to their exterior, as well as magazine capacity. The one he used for Lycan slaying, had a razor sharp silver piece of metal, sharpened at the tip with the precision of a skilled gunsmith, placed just underneath the barrel, and acted as a sort of bayonet. The pistol he had in his hand now, the one customized for Vampire assassinations, had a similar sharpened piece of metal, but had numerous coats of UV liquid on it, and proved to be lethal if used to impale a Vampire in the heart. Both barrels on both guns had been lengthened as well, allowing for long range attacks if needed.
Veroen's style mostly incorporated a mix of both swordsmanship, and firearms, which made Veroen a deadly opponent at both long range, and close range. As an ancient assassin, he never could find it in himself to give up his sword for firearms, so he instead developed a unique style that made use of both weapon types, and the combination proved to make him a considerable opponent.
It was because of his taste for modified weapons and traditional weapons, that Veroen admired the work of Luciens revolver. It was unfortunate that the two had not met under.. different circumstances. The Void Elder moved his gaze back to Katarina, though he still watched Lucien with his peripherals, already knowing what his move would be should Katarina attack, and Lucien open fire. All he could do now, was to see what Katarina's move would be.
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Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 2:32 pm
As Kensington stood assessing the situation his concealed earpiece crackled to life.
'Commander, we have all available strike teams converging on your position, the cavalry is on it's way.'
Kensington tapped the transmitter on his wristwatch twice to acknowledge the message, to anyone else watching him it would look like he was looking at his watch.
He sighed, Looks like I'm going to have to force the issue here he thought to himself. The situation had reached flashpoint.
He drew his pistols, a Webley Mk6 and a Mauser C96, each was loaded with Triumvirate rounds, the latest ammo type created by the Nightwatch, it would kill vampire, lycan and demonic adversaries in equal measure if it hit their heart and would cause nasty injury if it struck elsewhere.
He took aim, Forgive me Alexz and fired.
He unleashed his charged psychic energy at Veroen and it exploded out of his eyes as a purple lightning storm.
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Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 5:25 pm
Edited:
Sliding her foot beneath her blade without breaking her gaze with Kensington, she kicked it up and calmly caught it in her hand before slipping it back into her boot. As Veroen spoke of killing Kensington, her breath caught and hitched in her throat, pain touching her eyes for a brief moment. Alexz wished more than anything that it would not have to come to that for she wasn't so sure she would be capable of performing the deed. She knew Veroen and Rogue would sense the conflicting emotions clashing within her. Sucking in a lungful of air, she tried to calm the awful feeling she had felt once before...that very night on the Docks... The place were the Diamond once lay began to throb and ache in remembrance.
"Don't lose yourself to the Void, Veroen, that is what I'm most frightened of...you would take Rogue with you and I can't lose you both. I have seen a great many things, but that is truly something I would not be able to handle," she spoke into the connection they shared before Lucien aimed a firearm in her direction.
Her eyes flashed in anger, a burst of energy hurling forth from within her, wrenching the firearm from his hand and sending it skidding across the rooftop. With as much control as she could muster, she addressed the three before her.
"Your distrust of the lycans is your business; as we do not interfere with the affairs of the European Covens, so should you refrain from interfering with ours. The higher Vampiric Authorities have never objected to the way in which we run our city. Our peaceful coexistence with the lycans has ensured the survival of our race on multiple occasions. They have been out greatest enemies, but have also been out greatest allies. How dare you threaten that," her eyes smoldered, the ground gently trembling beneath her feet with the power of her anger, "If any traitors be in our midst, I am afraid you will find them in the mirror."
As Kensington lashed out, she threw out her arms, protectively slamming a tremendous wave of force into his, reflecting both bullets and energy so abruptly it shocked the elder herself. The burst of power merely showed how she hadn't become an elder merely by being able to read minds and bend spoons. She was quite the force to be reckoned with.
"ENOUGH!" she furiously bellowed, causing the ground to rumble, her voice underlaid with the darkness of the Void, "It does not have to resort to this. Kensington, tell your forces to fall back and fight like the man you once were or retreat like the coward you are."
"Stop this," she spoke sharply into his mind, her concern evident on her face, which had lost its usual composure.
((OOC: Lemme know if anything should be changed!))
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Posted: Fri Mar 01, 2013 5:34 pm
GaBbYmEnTaL Edited:
Sliding her foot beneath her blade without breaking her gaze with Kensington, she kicked it up and calmly caught it in her hand before slipping it back into her boot. As Veroen spoke of killing Kensington, her breath caught and hitched in her throat, pain touching her eyes for a brief moment. Alexz wished more than anything that it would not have to come to that for she wasn't so sure she would be capable of performing the deed. She knew Veroen and Rogue would sense the conflicting emotions clashing within her. Sucking in a lungful of air, she tried to calm the awful feeling she had felt once before...that very night on the Docks... The place were the Diamond once lay began to throb and ache in remembrance.
"Don't lose yourself to the Void, Veroen, that is what I'm most frightened of...you would take Rogue with you and I can't lose you both. I have seen a great many things, but that is truly something I would not be able to handle," she spoke into the connection they shared before Lucien aimed a firearm in her direction.
Her eyes flashed in anger, a burst of energy hurling forth from within her, wrenching the firearm from his hand and sending it skidding across the rooftop. With as much control as she could muster, she addressed the three before her.
"Your distrust of the lycans is your business; as we do not interfere with the affairs of the European Covens, so should you refrain from interfering with ours. The higher Vampiric Authorities have never objected to the way in which we run our city. Our peaceful coexistence with the lycans has ensured the survival of our race on multiple occasions. They have been out greatest enemies, but have also been out greatest allies. How dare you threaten that," her eyes smoldered, the ground gently trembling beneath her feet with the power of her anger, "If any traitors be in our midst, I am afraid you will find them in the mirror."
As Kensington lashed out, she threw out her arms, protectively slamming a tremendous wave of force into his, reflecting both bullets and energy so abruptly it shocked the elder herself. The burst of power merely showed how she hadn't become an elder merely by being able to read minds and bend spoons. She was quite the force to be reckoned with.
"ENOUGH!" she furiously bellowed, causing the ground to rumble, her voice underlaid with the darkness of the Void, "It does not have to resort to this. Kensington, tell your forces to fall back and fight like the man you once were or retreat like the coward you are."
"Stop this," she spoke sharply into his mind, her concern evident on her face, which had lost its usual composure.
((OOC: Lemme know if anything should be changed!)) (( OOC: I am so glad I decided against posting what i typed out. lol literally less than a minute after I finished typing, I decided i'd wait, and boom! Alexz post. XD )) ((OOC: To save the amount of OOC posts, I'm adding on to yours XD
A post within a post within a post...POSTCEPTION.
Good call, I would hate for all hell to break loose too soon X) ))
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Posted: Sat Mar 02, 2013 10:54 pm
Rogue felt something off in Kensington as he spoke. She knew he had been loyal to the coven, and had even had a standing friendship with Alexz...they both shared strong psychic abilities, and...his attitude and disregard for what he was saying had some weight of shock value to Rogue's ears.
Rogue felt some form of betrayal from him, but felt it growing from Katarina, though she knew that Katarina viewed Rogue's stand on tolerance an abomination. While Rogue had her own thoughts and views, she did what was best for the time in the small branch of New York Coven politics. They had fought and drank the blood of many lycans in their day...and slaughtered many innocent lives, drowning in the blood across large countrysides.
Rogue could feel the power of the void pulsating through Veroen. She hated feeling it. Something in her veins churned and she knew exactly what it was. She wanted nothing to do with it, for it had almost swallowed her whole.
Rogue's eyes fell on Alexz as she sensed the conflicting emotions at the possibility of eliminating Kensington.
As Lucien's gun barrel was crushed, she thought to expose herself now. She wanted to protect her family more than anything, but something made her hold back.
Alexz's tone grew dark, and Rogue felt a ripple of power come off Alexz. If it came down to the three of them killing Katarina or Lucien, Rogue knew it would cause large repercussions. Beyond self preservation, a silent prayer ran through the back of her mind, praying that she wouldn't have to end her ancient friend's existence.
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Posted: Sun Mar 03, 2013 9:53 pm
GaBbYmEnTaL Edited:
Sliding her foot beneath her blade without breaking her gaze with Kensington, she kicked it up and calmly caught it in her hand before slipping it back into her boot. As Veroen spoke of killing Kensington, her breath caught and hitched in her throat, pain touching her eyes for a brief moment. Alexz wished more than anything that it would not have to come to that for she wasn't so sure she would be capable of performing the deed. She knew Veroen and Rogue would sense the conflicting emotions clashing within her. Sucking in a lungful of air, she tried to calm the awful feeling she had felt once before...that very night on the Docks... The place were the Diamond once lay began to throb and ache in remembrance.
"Don't lose yourself to the Void, Veroen, that is what I'm most frightened of...you would take Rogue with you and I can't lose you both. I have seen a great many things, but that is truly something I would not be able to handle," she spoke into the connection they shared before Lucien aimed a firearm in her direction.
Her eyes flashed in anger, a burst of energy hurling forth from within her, wrenching the firearm from his hand and sending it skidding across the rooftop. With as much control as she could muster, she addressed the three before her.
"Your distrust of the lycans is your business; as we do not interfere with the affairs of the European Covens, so should you refrain from interfering with ours. The higher Vampiric Authorities have never objected to the way in which we run our city. Our peaceful coexistence with the lycans has ensured the survival of our race on multiple occasions. They have been out greatest enemies, but have also been out greatest allies. How dare you threaten that," her eyes smoldered, the ground gently trembling beneath her feet with the power of her anger, "If any traitors be in our midst, I am afraid you will find them in the mirror."
As Kensington lashed out, she threw out her arms, protectively slamming a tremendous wave of force into his, reflecting both bullets and energy so abruptly it shocked the elder herself. The burst of power merely showed how she hadn't become an elder merely by being able to read minds and bend spoons. She was quite the force to be reckoned with.
"ENOUGH!" she furiously bellowed, causing the ground to rumble, her voice underlaid with the darkness of the Void, "It does not have to resort to this. Kensington, tell your forces to fall back and fight like the man you once were or retreat like the coward you are."
"Stop this," she spoke sharply into his mind, her concern evident on her face, which had lost its usual composure.
((OOC: Lemme know if anything should be changed!)) The force of Alexz's powers clashing into Kensington's produced a feedback wave which slammed into him forcing him down onto his knees. The jolt to his system loosened the cage in his mind, and for a brief moment Kensington was himself again. He reached into Alexz' mind and spoke to her, 'I don't have much time, he knows the chains in my mind have been weakened, he'll be coming. Know this, I am not in control of my actions. I am a prisoner, forced to watch myself commit terrible crimes against our kind. Though I despise Lycans I always respected the Coven's decisions to uphold a truce. The Founder's plan goes beyond the destruction of the Lycan, he's planning to open.....nnnngggh'Kensington spasmed as if some force had just entered his body, as he fought the invading force he was lifted into the air. With a final jolt the spasming stopped and he hung there like a rag doll, his eyes glowing golden light. 'I see I was wrong to trust Kensington, never mind, he will be punished for his sedition.' The voice came from Kensington but it was not his own. There was an almighty bang which kicked up a cloud of dust and where Kensington stood were another seven figures, six were heavily armed guards and the final figure was a bald man wearing a long black trench coat. It was he who spoke and the voice was the same one that had spoken though Kensington, who at this point of time was convulsing on the floor. 'Well, I see all the players are here, well, the ones that count anyway.' He snapped his fingers and two of the guards picked up Kensington and disappeared into the ether. As they did Kensington let out a psychic scream 'Nooooooooooo!!!'The Founder sighed, 'Well, now that that unpleasantness is done let's get straight to the point. Why are you impeding the natural progression of the Vampire race? What can possibly be gained from consorting with Lycans?'
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 1:37 pm
|| OOC: Short post. If I missed something yell at me and I'll add it. ||
"It was my," Katarina stated, voice colder than subzero temperatures and more calculative than Einstein himself, "understanding that the safehouse was bombed by lycans not vampires. So either you're suggesting my source is unreliable and incompetent or you're not very well informed of the current events in New York. Furthermore: to suggest vampires were behind this when lycans attacked it would be suggesting that an organization founded with the intent of eradicating lycans actually fraternized with them. Am I understanding you correctly?" She clearly wasn't convinced of Veroen's reasoning for attacking a fellow coven member and she was even less sympathetic as a glimpse of the true Kensington emerged briefly. It only served to solidify her confidence in her position to defend the vampire and the faltering competence of New York's current elders. The Nightwatch was hardly of concern to her unless they truly had been behind the attacks of the safehouse. And at current she was not willing to take the word of Veroen over that of her source.
"Again," Katarina stated, unwavering in her opinion of the current matter, "it was my understanding that the Nightwatch's purpose was to eradicate lycans and promote our race to keep it dominant. I have been told nothing and have seen nothing else to incline me to believe otherwise. So I fail to see how attacking a member of your coven for being a Nightwatch member is justification. If they attack their own without question as you claim that would be one thing but from what I see in this particular scene is you attacking this group of vampires. I see nothing that serves to distinguish them as Nightwatch members as far as my knowledge of the matter goes. Even then from my knowledge of the Nightwatch they did nothing to merit being murdered or attacked simply by being apart of that organization. Of course, if they are attacking other vampires as you claim, then yes, by all means I will stand down."
In all honesty Katarina had intervened for no other reason than the simple facts she stated. While Veroen and Alexz seemed prepared to fight to the death, she merely maintained a defensive stance in the case they decided to strike. What she saw was a vampire taking advantage of others and attacking them without true motive. For him or anyone else to suggest she was a traitor for preserving another afterlife was a notion she would find offensive under different circumstances. Here, however, she had to bite back a chortle at the ridiculousness of the accusation. Perhaps the two standing before her didn't know but she knew Rogue knew she was loyal to the race and did what she did to preserve it.
"And your lack of distrust," Katarina was quick to rebuttle, "for lycans proves just how ignorant you truly are. Why do you think issues between vampires and lycans have not been solved in over a millenium's worth of time? Seeing as you don't seem to know the answer for yourself I'll take the liberty to tell you: because one cannot reason with animals. At the end of the day they are exactly that, primitive, violent animals that are slaves to instinct and lower ways of functioning. One temper tantrum and they've shredded the face of the person they claim to love most in the world. Yet you fool yourself into believing an alliance with lycans could possibly stand. If you're naive enough to believe their lies will keep you safe you are only betraying yourself with your own ignorance."
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 3:33 pm
Veroen was quiet as Alexz spoke into his mind, pleading with him to not lose himself to the Void, for he would take Rogue with him. Veroen thought for a moment. In all honesty, if Alexz knew what Veroen had been up to while he was away, she would more than likely be much more concerned about his well being where the Void was concerned. He was far too deep to ever be a normal Vampire again. The very thought was ironic, for Vampires were anything but normal.
He had no desire for Rogue to join him in his current state, for he walked a very very thin line between losing himself, and keeping control. That was the beauty of Tzun's training though, for he had taught Veroen how to be as close to losing yourself to the Void as you could to gain the most out of its power, and also how to control yourself so that you would not fall. It was not an easy task, but Veroen was constant in his balance. If Alexz truly knew, she would be much more frightened about it than she was. This only meant, however, that she respected his mind, and chose not to invade Veroen's privacy as to what he had been up to during his absence. The realization of that made him appreciative of Alexz.
Before he could reply to her, Kensington aimed his weapons at her, and unleashed his psychic charge at Veroen. Veroen's eyes darkened until they were solid black, and just as he was about to unleash his own defensive maneuver, Alexz snuffed out the attack before it even began. Veroen relaxed his jaw, which had instantly clenched from his reflexes kicking in to counter Kensington's move.
As Alexz spoke, Veroen kept his eye on the three before him. Once she finished, Katarina piped in.
He turned his head toward her, and let her speak, though her words showed how close minded she really was. Veroen's anger flared inside him as this Elder from across the seas accused himself and Alexz of being ignorant for living alongside Lycans. It was obvious that she was unaware of her hypocrisy, for she chose to interfere with his operation, and now her cowboy was aiming both their weapons at them. If she was so concerned with the preservation of the Vampire race, then threatening the Elders of another coven was a sure way to show the opposite of her words.
"You're wrong, Katarina." Veroen said darkly, remembering his time with Meredith, the Lycan he had fallen in love with. "It is obvious to me that you have not attempted to be around Lycans without trying to kill them, and your little display of anger in Las Noches proved that much." If she was willing to walk out on Rogue just because a Lycan was in the vicinity, then it was obvious that there was no such occasion that she had attempted to reason or communicate with Lycans nonviolently.
In truth, Veoren pitied her for being unable to live free of her need to eradicate another race of beings that were not just animals. Veroen had seen the other side of Lycans many times, he had seen them cry over lost ones, he had been touched on the cheek by a Lycan child after its father had been killed by a demon, he had felt love from a Lycan woman, and had seen anger and sorrow from an Aplha long ago, after Jaden lost a friend.
Veroen knew better than to carelessly label Lycans as animals. "If theres anyone that could be called an animal, it is you, Katarina. You cant think outside of your instinct to eradicate the Lycan race, which makes you no better than what you perceive Lycans to be." He glared at her, his emotions beginning to churn inside of him, from thinking of all the times he had been proved wrong about Lycans, and been shown that they were not so different than Vampires.
Before Veroen could say more, he noticed that Kensington began acting strange, and turned his attention to the psychic Vampire as he began to spasm. Veroen's grip tightened on his two weapons, realizing something wasn't right. His realization was confirmed as a different voice came from Kensington's mouth, stating that Kenisngton would be punished for his sedition. Veoren's eyes narrowed, realizing that Kensington was being controlled from an outside source, and the Source being the Founder, who moments later appeared with a loud bang, accompanied by armed guards.
Veroen's fangs grew and his eyes darkened at the sight of the Founder. As the founder spoke, Veroen fought back a hiss from his throat.
"The only ones that are impeding progression of our race are yourselves." Veroen spat at the Founder. Veroen was normally very composed in the midst of multiple enemies, however he continued to play the part of the overconfident Vampire to continue to hide Rogue's presence until it was necessary to reveal herself.
"The only thing to be gained from 'consorting', as you say, with Lycans, is the evolution of our race, and its survival through peaceful coexistence with other immortal beings. Our numbers grow thin, and not because we suffer Lycans to exist, but because this world is naturally weeding us out. Immortal's such as ourselves are forced to hide in the shadows, lest we face extinction from the human race. If you take a step back to examine the world, as I have, you would notice that Human's have come far in the world. They have done much evolving over the past few millennia, and its because of their will to survive, and the fact that they stick together with their own mortal kind. They coexist with other mortal species. This world is dependent on a delicate balance between the existence of each race, and man has learned of that need of a balance, long ago, where we have not. It is obvious what we are doing wrong. We are killing ourselves off, when the preservation of ourselves is dependent on learning what human's have learned long ago, to coexist." Veroen continued to grip his weapons tight, ready for any retaliation from the foes in front of him.
"Are all of you really so blind as to not see why Human's have flourished, while we have grown closer and closer to extinction? WE ARE IMMORTAL YET OUR IMMORTALITY IS THREATENED BY OUR OWN ACTIONS!" Veroen's statement turned into shouting as the Void thrashed inside of him, fueling his anger.
"You all accuse us of impeding the progression of our mighty race, yet you contradict yourselves by turning a blind eye to the fact that we are our own problem. No, the only things that are preventing our race from flourishing are mindless individuals such as yourselves."
Veroen was done speaking, and would wait to see their reactions to his words before speaking again. If they thought him to be an unwise leader, they were extremely mistaken. His life in solitude had given him insight on the world, and insight pertaining to his own kind.
If his words fell on deaf ears, he would not continue to try to reason with them. Inside him, the Void still pulsated, just waiting for Veroen to let it loose on everyone in front of him.
He spoke into Alexz's mind using the connection of Elders, knowing that Rogue would be able to hear it as well. 'I may have been wrong about Kensington. The only way to free him, however, is to kill the Founder. Prepare yourself, I doubt anything I have said will get through to them. I don't see anything other than bloodshed coming from this.'
Mentally he began to focus his connection with the Void on his next move, which would put his conjuration of his three Void assassin's to shame.
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 7:57 pm
Rogue had moved in the shadows silently, making her way to the rooftop of the building where Katarina, Lucian, Veroen and Alexz were...It was a larger building, but not in the high rise of the city.
Kensington's momentary loss of control was a confirmation she needed. She had fought beside him and knew he was respected by Alexz. That had been enough for her to want to rip him from the Founder's grasp. But for the moment, they needed to stay alive. And to stay alive meant the three of them working in perfect synchronicity. Her attention was brought back to Katarina.
The safehouse was bombed by lycans, but only when they were provoked...and the provoking had been a scheme of the Nightwatch.
As Katarina spoke, thoughts snaked through Rogue's mind. I am an inch away from losing myself too frequently these days...to the mere animal within. Perhaps I am no better than the dogs at our door...
She pushed the thoughts aside and spoke into the connection she had with the elders on the roof. Katarina and her friend will have to choose their allegiance here. The Founder has already bound himself to imminent death by destroying other members of our coven. And for taking grasp of Kensington's mind. These are his crimes, and he shall face his end.
If we are to survive this, we must work as one. While each of us has different weaknesses, the other has the strength. We have to trust each other.
Rogue took the risk to speak into Katarina's mind. The Nightwatch is behind the many deaths in my coven, and I will not stand for it, no matter what association to lycans. You may disagree with the current politics here, but I know your sole purpose is to protect the vampire race. The Founder is destroying what we have so carefully laid in place. Join us now, and we can settle our differences when we survive...
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Posted: Mon Mar 04, 2013 9:38 pm
"It seems you forget the nature of your own species, Katarina, for we, too, are 'primitive, violent animals that are slaves to instinct and lower ways of functioning.' I would say we prove ourselves to be so on a much more regular basis than do the lycans and the tainted. I have been in the minds of many creatures and I assure you, we are all alike and none superior," she said in response to the prejudiced statements the old vampire before her made, "I pity you, for it seems wisdom has not come with age, despite the many centuries of your existence. The attack of the lycans on the vampire safehouse was not done without provocation. I wouldn't say it is too farfetched to believe that the extremist members of the Nightwatch are the individuals responsible and I am truly surprised you, blinded by your prejudice, have been incapable of making this connection."
At that moment, Kensington began to writhe and convulse, causing Alexz to instinctively take a step towards him. As the cage controlling his mind loosened, allowing a moment of clarity and communication, she felt as if her heart were breaking. Her suspicion that Kensington was being controlled by one more powerful than he was confirmed, upsetting the usually calm elder. She felt helpless and responsible; she wished she could have saved him from the torment of the psychic puppetry, thus preventing a lot of unnecessary bloodshed. This sadness quickly turned to fury at the arrival of the one responsible, the Founder. Her fists clenched at her sides as she fought the impulse to recklessly lunge and go for his throat.
"I fail to see why we should justify our beliefs to you. You, a coward. You, a man without the courage to face the consequences of his actions on his own. You, a man who chooses to manipulate others and use them as puppets, one who hides behind others. It's sickening," she spat, her voice dripping with venom, "The survival of our race in the modern world depends on our coexistence with all others. The ancient prejudices are detrimental to the survival and the well-being of all vampires and will not be tolerated. As Elders of the Vampire Coven of New York, we do not need to justify ourselves to you, an extremist who lacks any proper authority to question our beliefs and practices."
She acknowledged Rogue's silent arrival by sharing with her and Veroen, "I would love nothing more than to see his blood shed across the city skyline. If this should erupt in chaos, we cannot act with utter abandon. We need each other."
"We are the authority here. We will not allow your delusions to infect this city nor the minds of its inhabitants," she stated, her jaw clenching as she prepared for what was to come.
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