You Want Some?

**West** · Apr 17th, 2011 10:50 AM

It's a crystal clear night.

The moon bathes everything in bright silver, giving the world a glowing, ethereal quality. The air is cool and dry, one of those nights where you feel like you can see further and hear more.

At the sewers leading to the Horizon compound, time is beginning to take it's toll. Footpaths are surrendering to vegetation. Warning tape flutters ineffectually, paint fades. The dark, silent corpse of a building is also showing signs of age: more windows have been broken, water stains darken the sides like a rash, and unkept vegetation begins to re-assert itself.

**Dean** · Apr 17th, 2011 10:28 PM

Anton makes the trek to the sewer entrance in clothes he doesn't expect to ever wear again, all under a worn raincoat. Slung over his shoulder is a gym bag containing a flashlight, the radio from the motel desk, batteries and a dress somebody had left behind at the Ridge. He didn't doubt that the other Deputies could cover the list themselves, but it didn't hurt to carry spares, especially batteries. The cellphone in in his pocket is sealed inside a ziploc bag while the familiar old blade sits greased in a worn leather holster strapped under the raincoat.

The Haunt crouches on the edge of the entrance and awaits the others, enjoying the crisp air and the pale moonlight while he still can.

**West** · Apr 21st, 2011 02:30 PM

Soft splashes and scrapes come out of the sewer opening like the opening pops and cracks of an old vinyl record being started. Eventually, the sounds resolve themselves into a large shadow that can only be Sunshine.

As he near the opening, he stops, recognizing Anton.

A round, white eye fixes on the other Haunt, and there's a period of silence. No doubt, Sunshine is considering just leaving. Or something.

Finally, he speaks.

"You have a problem."

**Dean** · Apr 21st, 2011 02:54 PM

Anton looked curiously at Sunshine. He felt that wariness crackle through him that always made him wonder if he wasn't just a shell for the vitae and the appetite. Almost involuntarily, he feels that vitae wash over him, strengthening his form. It's just a matter of not stopping it.

"Oh?" Anton asked Sunshine, calmly. "Please. Elaborate."

-1 Vitae for Vigor.

**West** · Apr 21st, 2011 10:08 PM

The large Haunt squats, fading deeper into the shadow, but Anton can still see the glimmer of moonsilver on his eyes.

"Sound like the Rev'ren has hostages. Or sacrifices. Depends. Not clear. Mole is trying to find out."

There's a pause, and the next words come out in a soft hiss, a mixture of fear, challenge, anger.

"Serious. Masquerade business."

**Dean** · Apr 21st, 2011 11:28 PM

Anton's face twists into a deep frown, jerking the pale gash across his neck slightly. He thought of those Kindred he hadn't seen in some time. Unfortunately, it was a long list, though hadn't Brenn spoken of aiding Jillian on some blind stab at this interminable problem?

"Yes," the Haunt agrees, in a stilted, strained tone. "This is serious. This is grave news. How many taken? Can you tell me anything about them?"

**West** · Apr 22nd, 2011 10:50 AM

"That's all I know," Sunshine replied. He declined to elaborate on the obvious; how he knew.

"They have one that can feel us. Maybe... the Taint. Maybe a former Ghoul, don't know."

Maybe Sunshine wasn't entirely stupid or insane.

"Who knows with Eloi."

OK, maybe he was.

**Dean** · Apr 22nd, 2011 09:27 PM

Anton's eyes narrow. He didn't get the reference. Was Eloi a person or a thing? Gripping the gym-bag tight, he exercises all the restraint left in him towards keeping his temper in check. Spooking Sunshine further could leave him with a dead end.

"You said Eloi. What does that mean?"

**West** · Apr 22nd, 2011 09:42 PM

There's a soft sound, a whisper so soft it tickles at the imagination and leaves a question of whether it was heard or imagined.

"Many fall down."

Then Sunshine speaks again, and the disparity between the soft words and the normal grating of vocal chords against one another furthers the impression that these words were, are, the only words.

"Eloi are... prey."

He'd almost said 'topsiders', but there was something a little scary about the other Haunt.

**Dean** · Apr 22nd, 2011 10:22 PM

"Prey," Anton repeated, sternly. "Prey who fall down."

The Haunt glanced quickly out into the distance, checking that they were alone. Perhaps the homeless threat was something brought about by these Kindred who laired underground. Anton composed himself.

"And this Reverend and his followers, they are Eloi, yes?"