|
Post by Melisse Ghiberti on Jul 1, 2018 2:50:44 GMT
Melisse was quite pleased in that moment that, being Kindred, she no longer had to breathe. She had no conception a girl Gwen's size could hug this hard with just one arm. Melisse barely managed to wheeze out a greeting pleasantry before Gwen switched to the almost-possessive deathgrip around the wrist which Melisse had endured all night the last time they'd met. The Giovanni was starting to get the sense that, beneath the loud and obnoxiously brassy exterior, Gwen was a very lonely person at heart.
There was little enough time for psychoanalysis, however, as Gwen lead Melisse back to the cluster of people she'd momentarily left. Deciding not to broadcast her envy that the young, apparently undead, girl had hit Gwen, and flatly ignoring Gwen's request for tissues in hopes that she might go searching for them elsewhere, Melisse instead addressed the handsome but somewhat twitchy artist.
"A pleasure to meet you Mr. Maddick," she said, extending a handshake with the arm Gwen wasn't wrapped around like a spider monkey, "Are you friends with Monsieur d'Baguetto?"
|
|
|
Post by Clyde Maddick on Jul 1, 2018 8:08:29 GMT
"Hardly," Clyde responded warily, extending his arm as well and shaking her hand. The woman before him did not seem to have noticed his true nature, as he did hers. All he could really do in this situation, surrounded by unfamiliar kine, was behave as normal and uphold the masquerade. "I came with a friend who seems to have wandered off somewhere. They must be rather distractible, or preoccupied. I'm sure they're familiar with the owner, they brought me here after all. Clubs aren't exactly my thing. Slower paced stuff, calmer venues, definitely more my speed."
--oh this is my thing--I could get used to this--I know why sicko doesn't like clubs--can't get with underage girls can you clyde--
God they're still hung up on that, Clyde groaned to himself as he left tween fight club behind him, eager to disengage from a situation with someone who recognized his true nature. If he could pass the night, without again crossing paths with Spunky back there, he would count his graces and curl up with Daphne at home.
He followed the two women, one being dragged by the other, towards the bar as he continued his conversation. "But, um, you seem to know Gwen," he laughed uncomfortably, aware that a new person had taken the position as Gwen's ragdoll. This doll, however, had teeth and could bite, just like him. "Can I ask your name? I don't have any business cards on me or anything, kind of a night off you know? But yeah, pleased to meet you miss?--" He stopped awkwardly, giving the conservatively dressed woman a chance to insert her name.
|
|
|
Post by Melisse Ghiberti on Jul 8, 2018 1:03:36 GMT
Melisse cast a quick glance about to make sure that the vigilante from earlier, whom she had been quite pleased had heard a butchered version of her name, wasn't about. Satisfied that he wasn't she responded to Clyde.
"Ghiberti, Melisse Ghiberti," she responded to Clyde, "I'm normally not much for this sort of venue either, but I'm a great admirer of Monsieur d'Baguetto's designs and this place doesn't disappoint."
|
|
|
Post by Clyde Maddick on Jul 11, 2018 2:51:34 GMT
"When it comes to design, this place sure is impressive. The use of light and vertical space makes it feel like the whole venue is full of life and action. The multi leveled drinking areas and the holographs projected in the mist and fog above create a really powerful three dimensional effect. It's good to meet you Ms. Ghiberti."
Clyde would remember that name. This was clearly a person of power. He was not yet really familiar with the construct of Camarilla power within the city, but this name was entirely alien and unfamiliar to him. This was either an opportunity to befriend someone of power or to escape further scrutiny.
--make some friends-- one day you'll be alone here-- daphne won't stay on forever-- start networking--
Wow. For once they give good advice.
"So how do you know our friend here, Ms. Ghiberti?" referring to the bloodied trust fund girl on Melisse's arm.
|
|
|
Post by Hisato Zaitoichi on Jul 17, 2018 10:11:31 GMT
Hisato simply issued a smile as Glint got angry, it was all part of his plan. Afterall one who was angry was more likely to become sloppy and make a mistake...in this case that mistake would prove fatal. He noted how one thug, Edge whom he had maimed just previously was attempting to flee.
He could not allow it. Not just because it was cowardice but because the had brought this fate upon himself and Hisato would not allow him to escape the fate he deserved. He would deal with him in a moment for now he had bigger problems to contend with it appeared as Brass launched the decapitated hand of the first dispatched thug at him. He found it quite amusing even as Glint grabbed a bin lid as a sort of make shift shield and tried slicing at his tthroat.
This he found was his priority for now. As such Hisato ignored thrown hand, letting it continue and instead he attempted to dodge out if the way of the knife and shield wielding thug before him. Following this up he ducked down in a attempt to sweep his legs out from under him and then roll towards the fleeing coward that was Edge before trying to decapitate his head from his shoulders.
He was certain that would make both remaining thugs a bit more wary.
((Dice Allotment: Dodge (1) , Sweep (3) , Melee Attack/Decapitation (2) ))
|
|
|
Post by Legionnaire on Jul 17, 2018 13:24:13 GMT
For Glint's makeshift shield, I'm using the shield rules from Vampire: The Dark Ages v20. Treating it as a standard shield, Glint's base parry difficulty is set at 6, and Hisato suffers a +1 penalty. To declare explicitly before starting any rolls - Edge is trying only to run, and is making no attempt to dodge. Brass is attempting to both dodge and make a thrown weapon attack - both use Dex + Athletics (4), and he'll spend 3 on dodging and 1 on throwing. Glint declared intent to parry and then attack - this is 4 for him as well, and he's going to split his actions evenly (2 to Parry, 2 to attack). Glint also spends a willpower point to change his parry to a dodge.
Hisato rolls 3 dice to Sweep Glint off of his feet - Glint will use his 2 parry dice to attempt to counter this with his shield. Hisato is at difficulty 8 (+1 from Sweep maneuver, +1 from Glint's attempted shield parry):
IY|7Ec_6p_p_p_ No successes, but no botches either. Glint rolls 2 dice to parry at difficulty 8:
p_p_ No successes, but none were needed - unfortunately nothing happens.
Hisato then allocates 2 dice to attempted decapitation of Edge. Edge will roll no dice to dodge or parry as he is fleeing for his life, and cannot soak lethal damage. Hisato rolls at difficulty 8 (+2 due to aiming for head):
p_p_ One success! Hisato rolls Strength + 2 + 1 (6 total) for damage:
p_p_p_p_p_p_ One success! Edge drops another health level to Incapacitated...but I'm gonna abuse GM fiat, so he's dead.
Now it's the remaining thugs' turn. Brass goes first, spending one die to throw the brass knuckles at Hisato (difficulty 6):
p_ Success! As I haven't found anything concrete on it, I'm assuming it does his Strength in damage (3):
p_p_p_ No successes means no damage and no need to Soak. As with the last round, I'll roll his dodge attempt (interpreting it as his attempt to back up successfully) in case of botch: p_p_p_ One success. Glint backs up out of Hisato's melee range.
Glint attempts a weapon strike against Hisato with his dagger, spending two dice; I want to note that if Hisato was using a full-sized sword Glint would lose a dice in closing in to attack range, but as Hisato's sword is very short that doesn't apply here. Glint rolls at difficulty +2 (aiming for Hisato's throat): p_p_ Two successes! Hisato now 1 die to dodge:
p_
No successes. Glint rolls Strength + 1 + 2 (6 total in damage):
p_p_p_p_p_p_p_ No successes - but as he rolled at least one success, he doesn't botch either.
Hisato is at Bruised due to Bashing damage (no penalty).
Edge is Dead as his head fell off. Stumble is out of the fight due to Incapacitated.
Glint and Brass are undamaged. Brass is also out of melee range - I'll have to double check with Xaos to see what exactly this'll entail roll wise for Hisato. Glint's forward advance was arrested when Hisato abruptly dropped and swept his legs out, attempting to knock the thug off of his feet. Seeing this, Glint dropped his makeshift shield to the ground and managed to intercept Hisato's leg as it came in, protecting his own legs. Before he could attempt to press the height difference, Hisato sprang nimbly to his feet and - disengaged. Glint took an instant to draw his bin-shield back up to protect his body, and that decision cost his mate his life. With supernatural swiftness, Hisato caught up to the fleeing Edge and separated his head from his body in one smooth slash of his weapon. Blood sprayed into the cold air for the third time that night, some spattering Hisato's face and collar. Edge's body collapsed, as did the resolve of one of his two remaining comrades. Brass, his already shaken willpower giving way completely, hurled his fallen compatriot's brass knuckles at Hisato's head, scooted back as far as he could, and then leapt to his feet and turned to make a run for it. Panicking himself now, he muttered a desperate prayer under his breath as he began to flee at full speed. The brass knuckles he had thrown connected with Hisato's back, and bounced off harmlessly. That left only Glint still in the fight. Covering himself with his shield, he closed in and slashed at Hisato's neck - perhaps the ronin felt like humouring the man, for his dodge was half-hearted. The short blade almost connected with Hisato's throat, but came up a whisker too short and instead sliced through the top of Hisato's black tie. Paling at the fact that he had missed when he was so close to killing the fucker in front of him, Glint fell back, and- Glint rolls 6 Willpower dice at difficulty 8, as one of his friends just got fucking decaffeinated.
p_p_p_p_p_p_ No successes. -his nerve collapsed completely. The thug attempted to whip the bin lid up and into Hisato's face to disorient him, and then turned to flee like his fellows. Inside the club, where the only fluids spilling were alcohol, sweat, and another fluid not suitable for naming in polite company, Gwen took it upon herself to answer Clyde's question. She had stuffed a sanitary product up each nose to staunch the bleeding, and was still casting venomous glances towards the raven-haired girl who had collided with her. "Melissssshe and I are the besht of friendsh already!" she cooed. "We met at the Round Table ball - she'sh a very wealthy and powerful woman! Melisshe! You neeeed to buy shome of hish paintingsh! The thingsh they make you feel! I look at mine and I feel my head jusht...jusht...fucking ekshplode! The poshbirities! Oh! My friendsh!" She pointed to a gaggle of girls, all of similar age, clothing, and neon adornment - except for one who appeared to be wearing nothing except neon blue bodypaint - closing in on them. Clyde didn't recognise any of them, but the shrill calls of "IS THAT HIM!?" emanating from several of their mouth's indicated to the Malkavian artist he was about to be mobbed. Meanwhile, Gwen had clamped her arms firmly around Melisse's arm and, despite her swaying, seemed to be making it clear the Giovanni wasn't going anywhere in a hurry. The two vampires faced a brutal choice: use their unique talents to escape the situation and risk a breach of the masquerade...or spend the remainder of the evening mobbed by teenage trust fund girls. Mercifully, a distraction provided a potential third option. The door to one of the private function rooms slammed open, and two men burst through it. One was tall and muscular, with a bruised face dripping blood and even bloodier knuckles. The other was short, fat, and instantly recognisable to Melisse as Joseph Hanley. Beaten up as he was, it took Melisse a moment to realise he was the one Hanley had been confronting before she, and the vigilante, intervened. Clyde recognised him as the guy he'd seen fleeing through the crowd. Well, he wasn't running anymore. Screaming obscenities that were dimly audible even over the noise of the club, he hurled the fat man bodily over a nearby bar to shatter the shelves behind it. Shoving shrieking revellers out of the way, he leapt over the bar, clocked the bartender to make sure he backed off, and then fell upon the fat man, roaring blacker obscenities as he drove his fist again and again into Hanley's face. The two Kindred noted that the nearest security guards were had been held up by the crush of people backing away from the beatdown, and likely wouldn't make it to the bar for a good 30 seconds. ···································
|
|
|
Post by Abigail Winters on Jul 18, 2018 16:38:07 GMT
Ignoring the drunk girl she had recently headbutted, the entirety of Abigail's focus had shifted to Melisse. Her body seized up as she stared at this woman she partially recognized. Who was this woman? The young vampire shook off the panic and briskly walked up to Melisse. Completely blinded by her tunnelvision Abi started to interrupt their conversation with Gwen, "Isaac, how did you know him and why-" she was cut off by the commotion coming from the fight and the shrieking onlookers.
She glanced back to see the man who had fallen onto her table beating some fat guy up. Abi shook her head and turned back to see Gwen grabbing onto Melisse, trying to lead her and the other kindred to a group of girls. "Hey, I need to borrow Melisse," unlike Gwen Abi held no venom in her words. Abi needed to get Melisse far far away from this Gwen girl, she was a real lunatic.
|
|
|
Post by James Shaw on Jul 22, 2018 19:49:18 GMT
Captain Shaw was alone in a patrol car near Sound Impact when the call came in. It was quite rare for an officer of his rank to be on patrol, particularly on a night shift, but he had a hunch that opening night would see some activity from his clients, whether drug lords or kindred. That screams were heard in the area wasn't particularly surprising, but that it may be related to a man with a sword in the area made him suspect this might be vampire business. If so, it could yield some interesting information, or at least require discrete handling by the police. If not, it would provide an excuse to check in on other clients that may be in the club.
He decided to leave the sirens off as he headed toward Sound Impact, expecting to arrive in a few moments.
|
|
|
Post by Hisato Zaitoichi on Jul 23, 2018 22:27:42 GMT
Hisato allowed the two thugs to run away, his job had been done. The fear they felt would soon spread and the underworld would whisper that the ronin was one not to be taken lightly. He let the bin lid hit his face and then the ground, before placing his sword away after wiping it upon a body to clear the blood. He waited a moment, making sure the two were clear before he acted again. He didn't need witnesses for what was to come, besides they had seen enough blood for one night.
He approached the incapacitated, one handed thug. Who by now was likely bleeding out from his stump. He spoke out, hoping he might hear despite what happened next.
“I told you and your boss to walk away...to leave the boy alone...but you didn't listen. Now you pay the blood price for your sins, your corrupted ways. For your ignorant ears and insults. You prayed on the weak and now you are the preyed upon, if you think yourself a monster allow me to introduce you to a real monster. And as you glimpse at the true face of evil...my mortal friend, and you become but a footnote in the centuries to be, know that all the rumours you heard as a child and still hear today are true.
Vampires do exist. All monsters to some degree exist, you were but a small piece in a much larger world. No-one ever believes the ghost stories until they become part of one. It is a secretive world, but necessary for survival. Remember that as you enter hell and beg for forgiveness. As I bleed your bones dry.”
It was then Hisato clinched the one handed thug, and bite into his neck...the intent to drain him dry and lick the wound closed thereafter, leaving no evidence of his being a vampire at the very least. The same could not be said of the bodies he had dispatched with his sword.
((Dice/Allotement: Clinch (3), Bite 'Kiss' (3) to incapacitated thug))
|
|
|
Post by Melisse Ghiberti on Jul 24, 2018 0:01:28 GMT
As the young daredevil from earlier suddenly re-entered and continued what had clearly been a sustained assault on Hanley, Melisse saw this as both an opportunity and an impetus to remove herself from the club. Snaking out of Gwen's grasp, which was freshly loosened by sheer shock at the unfolding scene, Melisse gave an exaggerated exhalation of breath and, with equal flourish and artifice, feigned feinting into Clyde's arms.
|
|
|
Post by Clyde Maddick on Jul 27, 2018 16:41:38 GMT
Ms. Ghiberti was falling into Clyde's arms. It was just as sudden a development as the fight returning to the club. She had clearly pried herself free of Gwen if she were able to fall freely like this. But Ms. Ghiberti did not seem to be the type to suddenly faint at the sight of such minor violence, being a vampire. Clearly she was hoping that Clyde would let himself in on the joke.
"Oh my! Um, sorry Gwen it looks like Ms. Ghiberti needs some air. I'm gonna go help her with that O.K. Bye!"
Melisse was ever so slightly cold to the touch, even in this hot and sweaty place. If she had even had a heartbeat, Clyde guessed it would have been perfectly calm. He hoisted Melisse back to her feet and started immediately moving through the crowd, away from the commotion, the trust fund girls, and toward Clyde's new best friend, the exit.
As they pushed their way through the crowd and through the doors out onto the street, Clyde let go of Melisse and turned to her.
"Well, an act enough to fool Gwen when she's sloshed. Even normally that isn't saying much. Guess you're lucky I caught on Ms. Ghiberti. This is my first time to a club in a while and I did not expect this to happen."
Clyde recognized he had lost track of Siobhan in the chaos. Ah well, her interests seemed to be scattered like mine anyways. Clyde saw no reason to try and regroup with Siobhan. Their connection had been a whim. Someone new, interesting, and dangerous now demanded his attention.
|
|
|
Post by Melisse Ghiberti on Jul 29, 2018 1:30:49 GMT
Barely seconds after being caught by Clyde, Melisse had her cell phone out and was sending a text to Charle to bring around her car. She briefly wondered if Hanley would survive and/or avoid being arrested before deciding it didn't matter either way; there was nowhere he could go, this side of the grave or the other, that was out Clan Giovanni's reach to collect a debt. Once outside, she dropped her fainting feint completely even before Clyde verbally expressed his knowledge of the ruse.
"Well, you have no idea how grateful I am for your keen ability to read a situation, Mr. Maddick," Melisse replied, "I'm not sure if Gwen thinks I'm her long-lost older sister or her girlfriend but I'm quite certain that I'm neither, nor would I want to be. Considering you so kindly helped me escape both my not-sister/not-lover, and considering that the authorities are no doubt on their way after that bar-fight, may I show my thanks by offering you a ride?"
As if on cue, a classic limousine pulled up to the sidewalk and from its driver's seat emerged a short, bespectacled old man, hairless except for his tremendously bushy eyebrows, clad in a butler's uniform to open the car door for Melisse.
|
|
|
Post by Legionnaire on Jul 29, 2018 1:53:37 GMT
Hisato had no need to exert himself as he descended upon the dying Kine. The thrown lid bounced off of the Sabbat as if it were made of rubber, and the thug could only raise his remaining hand and weakly push at Hisato as he bent to feed. The thug had already lost a considerable amount of blood by the time Hisato's fangs sank into his neck, and his Kiss drained him of what he had left. Straightening up from the thug's pale corpse, Hisato felt much refreshed, and satiated. Our thug had already lost half of his blood due to his injuries by the time Hisato fed, so Hisato gains five blood points. Rolling a d10 to determine his starting blood pool, which I should have done at the start of this affair: YmH4WQCHp_ Hisato has fully replenished his vitae reserves, as he has a maximum of 14. Captain Shaw brought his patrol car to a stop as his headlamps illuminated a blood-drenched figure bent over beside an alleyway entrance. The man did not even seem to notice the police cruiser as he doubled over and vomited. Hisato's Perception + Alertness to notice the headlamps and, thus, the approaching vehicle:
p_p_p_p_p_
Deep inside the alleyway, Hisato saw the shine of headlamps reflecting off of the wall near the alleyway entrance that the surviving thugs had fled towards. The Vampire realised that the car had stopped, and that a stopped car heralded a closer look. Clyde and Melisse made their escape from the club in the crowd that formed around the brutal bar fight. Too busy pointing and shrieking at the scene, Gwen's concern over Melisse fainting was quickly abated by the fluttery feeling of one of her idols being caught by one of her other idols, and when she turned to try and accompany them out they had already vanished into the crowd. Still, neither Kindred could shake the terrible premonition that this was not the last time they would encounter the drunk trust fund girl. Abigail, on the other hand, was attentive enough to notice them making their escape. Whether or not she chose to follow them, she was the only one of the three to see a beefy, dark-skinned man with black dreadlocks muscle his way out through the crowd, vault the bar, and lift the attacker off of the man he was beating by the scruff of his neck. He punched him once, and the attacker went limp. Emerging from behind the bar, he was approached by a throng of security guards, and said something Abigail couldn't hear. Hurriedly, a third of them went to tend to the beaten fat man, a third of them accompanied the dark-skinned man into some back rooms, and a third of them went to convince the crowd to go back to their party. It wasn't long before the incident was forgotten, and the revellers went back to their reverie. Still, Abigail couldn't shake the feeling there was something peculiar about the man. Abigail's Perception + Medicine, difficulty 8: p_p_p_ It seemed that Abigail, Melisse, and Clyde were not the only Undead who had attended the Night Club's opening. ········
|
|
|
Post by Abigail Winters on Jul 29, 2018 3:06:22 GMT
Abi really wanted to follow the two Kindred as the fled form the nightclub. The opportunity to learn more about her late sire was incredibly important; however, it was something that could wait. She had learned this woman's name and it would be better to learn more about her before getting emotional in front of someone who may be powerful.
Slipping back into the crowd Abigail snaked her way through the sea of humans towards the back rooms the dark-skinned man had retreated to. The thought of another Kindred lurking in this nightclub was interesting and this particular one looked a lot more sinister than the previous two she had just ran into. She pulled out her phone and pretended to completely absorbed into the device as she 'accidentally' stepped into the back room.
|
|
|
Post by Clyde Maddick on Jul 30, 2018 9:04:28 GMT
"That would be fantastic." Clyde said, rather alarmed at the impeccable timing of the limousine. "I have to be back at my girlfriend's place by morning anyways, and most of the night has passed. Wouldn't want her to worry, ya know?" Clyde started to worry as he stepped into the limo. This would be a rather prolonged time alone, given the busy evening traffic, face to face with a Kindred who hadn't yet recognized his nature. If he were to make himself look more human now the change would be immediately noticeable. But, spending the car ride engaged with Melisse, it would be likely that she would come to the realization anyways. She might even know Daphne, so being dropped off at the gallery might be a dead giveaway. The only way Clyde could get out of this without being recognized as a Vampire would be to decline the offer. However, getting lost in an unfamiliar part of town and burning to death in the morning sun was a far greater worry than a fellow Kindred being in on the secret. "The address is 2309 Hemwick Way. It's above our gallery in Greene Village, Clouded Minds: Fine Art and Design." Clyde looked over at Melisse and focused on the enigma of a woman sitting before him. "I still don't quite know what you do Ms. Gibherti." Clyde mused, bent forward on the leather seat, elbows on his knees and fingers knit in front of his mouth, his chin supported my his thumbs. The artist's wild hair fell haphazardly over his face as he gazed at the composed beauty before him. He was not, however, looking at her physical being. Help me out here, Guys. Give me a sign. Just who is this Woman. Tell me her secrets.
--whatever you say clyde--maybe I will maybe I won't--oh come on be nice he's asking nicely--ahh her aura is wild and mysterious are you sure you want to know--oh don't be coy just tell him what we see--you want inspiration clyde--that's unusally--yeah usually he's shouting at us to shut the fuck up--
Go crazy guys. I'll sort out what you tell me later.
I want to use Eyes of Chaos to get some crazy ass fever dream madness insight into Melisse Ghiberti. Lowest baseline of what I'm looking for. How she knows Gwen, What her profession is, What clan she is a part of, what sect she is a part of, and finally her nature. Those are in order of ascending importance. I roll Occult (3) + Perception (4) to activate and measure the successfulness of the ability. aAz|ZEmjp_p_p_p_p_p_p_ I leave the success threshold to the storyteller. It looks like I got at least one success since the 10 counts for 2 and the 1 cancels out one of the successes. ······
|
|