(The Dark) Facing Dirge

[Yumyumcrow]

Another night.

Another warehouse.

Another battle?

This one is lost in the network of light industrial lots along the nebulous borders between South Sacramento and Florin. By day its just one of many warehouses, flanked by parking lots and ugly fences, that stand on the cities south-eastern flank. It's a metallic bungalow, but the paintwork is still good (even if its a little faded) and does anyone really care about the cracked parking lot? Does anyone even notice that the old For Sale signs have been dumped near a back exit? Does anyone really notice the building at all? Just one of many in an area zoned for light industry.

By night its the same: empty lot and a soul crushingly dead building. The main doors are lit by a lamp thats maybe a little too bright. Its a sign that the power is on; that someone stands sentinel over the building. Its an invitation. And an implicit warning.

The warehouse certainly looks like its in use from within: crates of various sizes have been lined up (with an eye to providing cover). At either end of the building is a chunky pillar supporting the roof (also good for cover). The ceiling is low and slanted; girders cross the ceiling space, sporting some heavy lighting that has all been suspiciously redirected to face the main doors - and hanging close to the office space is set of switches dangling from a thick cord.

The space feels small, although strictly speaking, it is not. The low ceiling and the crates do their part, but creates this skewed sense of space is the office areas that have been partitioned off down one side. The offices are empty of course (though the odd table and neglected chair remains). The offices have all their flimsy doors unlocked and their lights are off - ambush spaces, should they be needed.

And over to you Alessandra Orianna Robert Cross unlimited sink Saber Sloth Alice Hart CMS Josef Twist deltadream @Cadence trickychicknixon .

NOTE: CMS - Josef will have access to the fencing foil he obtained through Carthian Pull and the enhanced blood pool from his Glimpse

Please note gear, equipment, and anything else, in your first post.

[Alessandra]

The night had arrived. The night when Twist would summon Dirge and things would be handled.

What the night had in store for them, she didn’t know. But she hoped it ended with them being successful. Though she also knew hope could be a hollow thought, and they would need more than it to walk away from this.

Because you didn’t have to be a genius to know Dirge was not going to be happy about being summoned and she was going to bring protection with her.

Every other fight with the Brood had been building to this night.

As such, Ale didn’t bring the Torino, not wanting them to have access to the car. Even though she was pretty sure they could find her or any other member of the Domain should they wish. But if she fell, she didn’t want some dirty Brood bastard taking her car. So she got a nondescript sedan, and was leaning against the trunk, arms crossed over her chest.

In the trunk were two ‘generic’ shotguns and some ammo for them. It wasn’t a lot of ammo, but it was enough to fully load each of the guns at least twice. It would have to be enough. Though she did hope that the others had been successful in getting weapons.

She was strapped as well. The twin holsters were packed with her two .357’s, each fully loaded, and a spare clip, full as well, strapped beneath them. While she knew guns weren’t too successful against Kindred, they did hurt and were in some way a security blanket for her. Her bowing knife was trucked into the top of her mid shin steel toed boots. That would be given to Alice. Brass knuckles rested in the back pocket of her jeans. She had on an old leather coat, but it was unzipped and her holster showed. Long hair had been pulled back into a bun, you don’t want lose hair when going into a fight.

But her best weapon? That was the claws that were currently dormant inside her fingers, itching to tear into some Brood and snuff the life from them.

She awaited the others.

Equipment: 2 .357's, clip full plus spare clips, bowing knife, brass knuckles, steel toed boots, leather jacket, phone on silent, two generic shotguns with enough ammo to fill each twice

[Alice Hart]

Alice is next to slip from the surrounding shadows and into the warehouse. To everyone something had changed within the Doll. For now more then ever had that moniker shouted the truth to the heavens. Her manner and appearance was even more artificial, more doll like. If such a thing is even possible.

She wears worn jeans, and old boots. And a worn black robe tied off at her middle bu clearly from the slope of her breasts and the glimpse of something red between them, that's all the Valkrja has chosen to wear, but it's not all that adorns her body.

Upon her brow, cheeks, leading down her neck and traveling (presumably) down her arms to her hand are sigils written in dryed blood . Unseen by the eye are the sigils written on her dead doll flesh hidden under the folds and lines of linen and denim.

In the split second for The Reeve to take in this version if Alice, the tide rises and the Wraith thrashes, but instead of leading it back, Alice whispers to it. soon

"Hey," Alice greets. Stomping down with her boot. Already trying to her a bead on the warehouse's interior.

With Alice's feeding roll/glimpse Alice's BP is at 6 and she's starting with -1 WP.
Equipment: dagger 1L, ritual robe, jeans, work boots.

[Robert Cross]

Headlights sweep through the darkness as Cross pulls his towncar in beside Alessandra's Sedan. Spotting the Reeve and Alice, he slams the vehicle into park, cuts the lights, and climbs out, locking the doors behind him. The sight of the Doll, more unreal than ever, almost brings a smile to his scarred lips. It's stopped by a stab of fear. Whatever happens tonight, he can't lose Her.

"Evening," he says softly upon approach, his Beast recoiling from the Reeve's Monster. He's dressed all in black, but not in his normal suit: a t-shirt with light kevlar vest over the top, and a black windbreaker zipped up on top of that. Black jeans. Black boots. Somewhere, hidden under that jacket, wrapped in shadows are a hunting knife and a 9mm. In his right hand, he carries a duffel bag containing a shogun and several boxes of ammunition.

All in all, the Burned Man looks ready for business.

"How're things?" It's clear that Cross is tense. Wound up. Prepared for action. "Any prep we need to take of inside before our guests arrive?"

Rolls

  Feeding, 2 suxx

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2017-11-09 20:08:08		Robert Cross rolls 4 to Strength3 + Subterfuge1 (10 Again)		1, 5, 10, 3, 9		2 successes

  ToS (9mm), 2 suxx

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2017-11-09 20:08:38		Robert Cross rolls 7 to ToS (9mm) Wits3 + Larceny1 + Obfuscate3 (10 Again)		4, 8, 2, 8, 4, 4, 3		2 successes

  ToS (Knife), 1 suxx

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2017-11-09 20:08:50		Robert Cross rolls 7 to ToS (Knife) Wits3 + Larceny1 + Obfuscate3 (10 Again)		1, 4, 5, 9, 3, 7, 4		1 success

With the hunting roll, Cross starts at 7 BP. Equipment: 9mm, Shotgun, Hunting Knife, 2 boxes of 50 9mm rounds, 2 boxes of 25 shotgun shells, thin kevlar vest, cell-phone on silent

[Twist]

4 forms but only 2 beasts to have her own hissing for not just blood but their blood. Pushing the demands aside she moved closer, the forms resolving themselves into familiar shapes. Alessandra, Alice, Robert and ... Löwenstein apparently as she caught his introduction.

Though Alice's appearance was the most drastically different, she in a way wasn't truly surprised. She did not doubt Alice's ability to protect the domain, but she also felt that it would not be in the stereotypical way. So the outfit suited.

"Seneschal, Reeve she said as she approached, knowing her own beast wouldn't give her away. With each title she offered the respective woman a deep nod of her head. The respect they deserved went past court. And here, given what was to be done and that they both came instead of sending deputies, proved it.

"Mister Cross," another greeting to the last known member of the group. To the unknown, a glance of greeting, but no personal name at this time.

It was during times like these that it was revealed that Twist did not in fact throw out every outfit after wearing it once. Dark clothing comfortable to move in but with the subtle signs of not only being itself reinforced but layered over a vest. Telltale existing wrinkles showing that it was not new but as familiar to Twist as the broken in tennis shoes she wore. Like Ale, her dark hair was pulled back into a slick knot.

[Twist]

Equipment: Reinforced clothing, protective vest, usual spread of knives tucked away about her person.

[Alessandra]

An eyebrow was quirked at Alice’s appearance. Which was shocking to say the least.

And was she only wearing that robe?! And did the weird blood drawings on her count as wearing something? Had Alice slipped down the slope of madness from her Torpor? Whatever it was, now wasn’t the time to ask or dwell on it.

“Hey.” She returns. “I have that bowing knife for you, I haven’t been able to secure the other yet.” And she will move towards Alice and press the hilt of the knife into her palm, should she allow it and take it.

The head cause her to go on alert, posture changing into one that blocks Alice. It wasn’t until she saw the towncar and Cross step out that she relaxes and moves back towards her own. They couldn’t afford to let their guard down.

Spotting his duffle bag, she pops the trunk on her car and pulls out the two shotguns she had as well as the ammo. Slamming the trunk and placing the weapons on top of it.

Shrugging, “As well as can be expected giving the circumstances.” She then shakes her head, “Things have been arranged inside as we talked about, and I managed to get us two more shotguns and a bit of ammo.” She really had to work on those contacts. Well, if she survived the night anyways.

Next came the press of another Beast. One that challenged her own. Which didn’t sit well with it and it bared its fangs. Wanting to take the challenge head on.

Seeing it was the new guy, Josef, she nods,

“Maybe if under different events.” She says with a smirk. The bag was noted, as she points over her shoulder to the top of the trunk, “Have two extra shotguns if you think you can handle one, and want to use one.” She didn’t know if he wanted a gun or not, but the option was there. “This is Deputy Cross.” And now Cross had his name as he introduced himself.

And finally came Twist. Still managing to look seductive in her dark clothing. She truly looked forward to seeing her in action, it was like watching a ballet.

She bows respectfully, “Your Grace,” she says, “Thank you again for helping. Mr Lowenstein, I have the honor of presenting Her Grace, Alder Twist, Ditches of Sacramento. Your Grace, this is Mister Löwenstein, a recent arrival to the Domain and one who was eager to lend a hand.” She didn’t want to use the titles, and wasn’t sure if she should or not. But Twist used titles when approaching, so maybe it was ok?

“Do we know if anyone else is coming? And if anyone wants to just call me Ale tonight, feel free, I’m not worried about it.” she hadn't seen Mable Psychangel yet, was she still coming? "Not sure if our titles are going to mean shit to Dirge or not. But I'd rather not shout out titles if I'm trying to coming to someones aid." there was a smirk.

[Alice Hart]

The scent of charred hair and burnt skin makes Alice smile involuntarily

(his insides churn. he feels like gagging)

"Robert." a whisper, a greeting, maybe a promise. It had been to many nights since the last time they'd been alone together.

(nononono. he likes soft curves and full lips. not hard lines and a canvas of scars)

Steps are heard and the tide rises again. The Wraith rears up and Alice soothes it. Carrying the promise of soon.

"Löwenstein." her head nods it's strings pulled nod in the direction of his beast.

More steps, thus time Alice ducks into a semblance of a bow. "Your Grace,"

Ale comes close and offers the blade. Alice takes it nodding greatfully. "Thank you." her little fang rests at her back while the Bowie knife is gripped by bone pale fingers.

"I've asked Behr and Weiss to come. But Behr hasn't been seen lately and Weiss....might be dealing with other issues." said covering her cousin. This could very well lead to Final Death and she didn't want Cynthia shamed for not coming.

"Am I still going to the back? Hiding the door?" was there a back door of side door she still needed to raise the shadows around?

[Robert Cross]

A newcomer. A threatening Beast. But one who seems known to the Reeve and Seneschal.

So the Burned Man fights the urge to flee before the press of this Lick's monster and takes the proffered hand, giving it a firm and businesslike shake. Letting Alessandra make their acquaintance suits him. No need to waste words.

And then Twist arrives. Releasing Josef's hand, Cross gives his superior a respectful nod. No need to bow in public. "Your Grace," he says softly in greeting. "Good evening."

Alessandra's accounting of the preparations is met with another nod and a tight, dangerous looking smile. "I came well supplied," he says, shaking his duffle bag. "But it never hurts to have more."

Introductions are made, questions asked and answered about the whereabouts of others. But Cross keeps his eyes on Alice. Hungry for her and aware that something has changed. Trying to track it down with his gaze. Finally, when she speaks to the task of hiding features of the warehouse, he adds: "Yes, if there's anything that requires...camouflage, we can work on that now."