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Twilight Valley
New World of Darkness Sacramento |
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jmiland1
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Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 76
Karma: 0
18.25 Experience
Location: Near Seattle
Sat Mar 07, 2009 2:39 am
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Nearly thirty years, and he still wasn't used to the sudden, jolting feeling of awakening each evening. No fatigue wearing off; no slow return of the senses; simply coming to, awareness flooding back, complete cessation of the sleep.
Martin took a moment to realize that he couldn't feel a difference between the porcelain of the bathtub, and his own cold white skin. He unfolded himself and stood in the tub, tendons creaking, and pulled the shower curtain all the way closed. Water came on. Steam filled the room.
Once the shower ended, the flood of warmth over, he stepped onto the tile and picked up the towel to dry off. He had rolled it up, pushed it into the crack between the floor and the doorframe to soak up any daylight that might have snuck in the motel window. The window had been blacked out with a garbage bag and liberal use of duct tape.
As havens went, it was hardly palatial.
After drying, he combed his hair, used the spray to hold it in place. A bit of cologne was daubed on, to entice the Kine and cover up the vague odor that always lingered around him. He couldn't quite place it, and it unnerved him. Last, he brushed his teeth. Just to be safe.
Out in the motel room, spread on the bed, were his few possessions: several pairs of slacks, a few dressy shirts, nice but nothing that would stand out. Some underwear, and socks, and shoes. He dressed quickly, and left the motel without being noticed, and began to walk without much aim, knowing only that he was going deeper into the city. And as he walked, he thought about what he was doing here.
_________________
Martin Carpenter - BP 2
Joshua Morris - W6, H7, M7, occultation 1
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| Author |
jmiland1
Scribbler
Joined: 05 Mar 2009
Posts: 76
Karma: 0
18.25 Experience
Location: Near Seattle
Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:56 pm
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"Invictus," Edward Carpenter said, his back to his childe. He stood in front of the glass wall, looking out upon the city. From where Martin sat, his sire was just a black silhouette against the bright lights of San Francisco.. Through the floor-to-ceiling windows Martin could see gargoyles perched upon the stonework; his sire was as unmoving as they. They could be kin.
"Invictus," the elder Carpenter repeated, turning away from the city. He paced towards the heavy oak desk, slow and deliberate. "Unconquered. But they have been conquered, in our own backyard. In Sacramento." He stopped, placing one hand upon the desk. "Defeated, years back, and our own plans delayed because of it. Each year which passes slows The Great Work--immeasurable in itself, and yet over time the effect will be seen as undeniable. It shan't be long before La Carpentiere notices."
"Long may her vision be praised," Martin murmured, repeating the catechism required by his sire, and his sire before him, at the mention of their master's name.
Edward went on without hearing. "This state, it bears so much promise," he mused, pacing again, now around the chair in which his childe sat. "On the one hand its fields are breadbaskets for the nation, growing the food which keeps the kine fed and healthy. The good of the one influences the good of the other. And yet! Such cities this California has," he said, grasping the back of Martin's chair and hovering close. Martin could smell his sire's aftershave, and below that the coppery tang of the blood sweat the old man was working himself into.
The elder began to speak into Martin's ear, low and hushed but urgent. "What cities! Two of the great metropolii of this nation, and others besides. Beautiful, glass, chrome and steel! Crowded with life! So much energy and power, just ready to be used. And if we succeed at our tasks we will wield that power. Imagine, boy, a great city: San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland! The city eats its neighbors, grows, shines!" Martin could hear the chairback creaking as Edward squeezed in his excitement, the wood straining to hold together. "The first of many--a city so large, so bright, it blinds God Hmself and mocks him for having Damned us! See it, boy!"
Martin saw it. In his mind he could see the vision held in his blood-father's head, and was thrilled by it. But he was afraid, too. Afraid of drawing down God's wrath. Afraid of how the light of such a city might dissipate the shadows in which they lived. Mostly afraid, now, of his Sire's agitation, and how the old man might lose control simply by dint of his fervor.
"We have orders," the old man said now, and Martin began to calm for already he could hear the zeal in his voice fade. "You are to go to Sacramento. You will empower the Invictus and raise them again to their exalted state. But even as you show your loyalty to our conquered brethren, you will never forget your duties to La Carpentiere."
Martin was silent, staring out at the window but seeing nothing. He was thinking desperately--of the logistics of travel, of plans laid to waste here, of reputation he would lose here and have to strive to gain there--and his elder slapped the back of his head, hard, and growled.
"Long may her vision be praised!" Martin yelled, hoping to appease his sire, afraid of what punishment might come. But it seemed to work; no further blows came.
"I did not bring you into my family only to have you dishonor our cherished mistress," Edward said, strolling back to his desk. "Now. Prepare yourself. Put your affairs in order; you leave in a fortnight."
_________________
Martin Carpenter - BP 2
Joshua Morris - W6, H7, M7, occultation 1
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