Iron Stars - nora

(Go ahead and record your stuff here Nora, we'll get you popping soon)

Nora's Grimoire and prepared Spells

Grimoire

Personal Shielding Field
Spell level 1 | Light Focus (2x 1h after)
Ironhide Spell

Evoked Image Projection
Spell level 1 | Light Focus (2x 1min after)
Creates an Illusion of herself 

Energetic Construct Evocation
Spell Level 1 | No Focus
Creates a sturdy object, max 2x2x1m^3, lasts Caster Level Hours or until recast

Aspect of Elegance
Spell Level 1 | Light Focus (2x 2 Hours after)
Looking perfectly with free choice of clothing and Hair and Make Up styles. Never Dirty.

Implanted Whim
Spell Level 1 | No Focus | Haze 1
Implants an Impulse or desire vs Mental Saving throw

Cerebral Buffer Regeneration
SL 1 | No Focus
Restores Effort to a Friendly, one point plus one per three
levels, rounded down. A target can only benefit from it
once per day

Energetic Construct Evocation
SL 1 | No Focus | 1 Hour per LvL
The spell creates a solid, sturdy object up to 2 x 2 x 1
meter in volume per caster level out of congealed metadimensional
force. It can be shaped as the caster wishes
with a sophistication up to a TL3 firearm, mechanical
tool, or suit of clothing, but it can’t be electronic or be
made into more than one object. It lasts for one hour
per caster level or until the caster uses this spell again.
If made into a barrier, it can take the caster’s level in hit
points of damage per meter of thickness before being
broken.

Neural Burn Cascade
SL 1 | No Focus | Surge
1d6+1 Psychic Damage, per 3 LvL rounded up. Caster decides if KO or dead. 1HD targets always dropped.

Variant MES Perception
SL 1 | Light Focus
Can detect Arcanists, Magisters, Psychics, or others with intrinsic magical abilities on sight, unless somehow protected from sight.

Void Transceiver Emanation
SL 1 | Deep Focus | 1 Hour per LvL after
The caster creates an artificial comm grid including up to four other willing visible targets per level. While the spell is in effect, the participants can mentally communicate with each other as a Main Action using metadimensional
channels that cannot be detected or jammed by conventional technology. Only speech can be sent over the connection, and the maximum transmission
distance is 10,000 kilometers. Once established, the link lasts as long as the caster devotes Deep Focus to it. Once that ends, the link itself will collapse one hour later per caster level.

Void Flow Scan
SL1 | Light Focus
While Light Focus is maintained, the caster can visually perceive metadimensional energy flows, allowing them to detect active magical effects or arcanotech objects. If an effect is being supported by Focus or other magical connection to a caster, they can see the lines of force leading back to the origin of the effect. When confronting strange magical effects, a Wis/Know Magic skill check at a difficulty of 8 or more might be able to get a sentence worth of description of the magic’s effect.

Void Slip
SL 1 | Surge possible
With this spell, the caster may teleport up to 10 meters to any visible location. This spell is usually cast as a Main Action, but can be cast as an On Turn if the user is willing to accept Surge for it.

(edited)

4:24 PM

Don't do that! (Aversive Impulse Projection)
Spell Level 2 | No Focus | Mental Save
Implants an aversion against something vs Mental Saving throw
Can be cast silently

Now you see me, now you don't! (Blindside Skip)
Spell Level 2 | No Focus | Mental Save | Lasts 2 rounds
Makes Nora practically invisible for the target, anything done will be rationalised vs Mental Saving throw

(edited)

4:25 PM

(saved for later)

4:25 PM

(saved for later use)

4:25 PM

Readied Spellslots
3 SL 1 Spells 
1x Personal Shielding Field (active)      
1x Implanted Whim
1x Energetic Construct Evocation

2 SL 2 Spell
1xNow you see me, now you don't!
1x Don't do that!
1x Ghost Field Emission

1 SL 3 Spell
1x Random Organic Failure
1x Quantum Jamming Field

(edited)

Nora doesn’t sleep anymore. At least not during the night. Tece has a short day cycle. Six hours at its longest, out of the twenty four in a day and it is sometimes said that the night here is more alive and richly colored than the day. It has been just over two weeks since Octavian Oniferous and his henchmen, armed with weapons and technologies from off-world arrived at your family estate and offered a choice.

9:50 PM

the choice was simple- submission, or be destroyed. Wisely the clan decided to kneel rather than fight a futile battle over something like pride , and Octavian said he would return in two weeks with orders, and to meet again on better terms. that day, is today. Automated blinds begin to rise as the last of Tece's light vanishes over the horizon.

Nora, in her bordeaux colored night gown, sits on a dark green armchair. Leaned back and legs crossed. She sighs as soon as the shutters open and rip her right out of her deep thoughts. She went to rest earlier last night, as she knew what was coming for House Orleanu, and most likely her. But there surely was still some time, some hours until Orniferou's messengers would arrive. At least enough to get properly dressed. But even that had to wait. She grabs her heavy leather-bound grimoire and focuses on one of the spells in it. Even after all the training she wasn't able to keep more than one ready for a whole night. The patterns, even though they were a form of music, are just not entirely clicking with her. After about half an hour of focussing on one Spell, she pushes herself up from the armchair. In one quick motion she gets to the windows and opens it. Fresh night air invades her room, and a slight wind make her long white hair move slightly. The sound of the night wind, touching and moving things, near and far, make her grab one of her violins. The hazelnut brown one. The one she inherited from her grandmother, and that always rests in a showcase when she isn't playing it. Now with the violin between jaw and collarbone, she greets the night with one of the many variations of her 'Ode to the Night Sky'. One might think that an ode to the night might be some dark mooded song, but her variants usually aren't. She loves the night and who she is, so she tries to show that in her music as well. Her music is lively and vibrant, like a beating heart. She skillfully switches between arco and pizzicato, so between playing with a bow and plucking the strings with the fingers of her right hand. She moves slightly from left to right, does a pirouette or two, it almost looks like an actual dance. Even though she doesn't know what the meeting with the members of House Oniferou's will bring, the playing and moving gives her inner peace.

4:19 AM

. "The emotions of my violin travel the infinite space, for that part of me is immune to the bars of any cage. In this sound, I am completely free." Towards the end of her Ode, the music gets more and more intense, until a strange feeling fills her room. Her hair waves unnaturally, not in the wind but in the rhythm of her music. And the last draws of the bow across the violin would make it feel for any onlookers in the room that the notes are actually visible, like spectral illusionary musical notes coming out of the strings once they vibrate. The last note leaves a crackle in the ears of possible listeners, like a micro firework. Happy with the song she puts the violin back and gets dressed. Nothing too fancy, she is neither an elder of House Orleanu, nor important enough to push into the foreground with too pompous clothing. But nonetheless, finest fabrics are still a must. After some short decision-making she decides for black sneakers with bordeaux colored laces, black jeans with a fancy looking black leather belt and crafty buckle made out of rose gold. At the top she wears a bordeaux colored silk blouse with a bow collar, to match the bordeaux she wears with her clothes she also put on some fitting lipstick and rose gold stud earrings with a small diamond in them. Her pale skin and white hair, that she wears open, deliver a fine contrast to the black, red, and gold tones.

4:19 AM

. Not knowing what her position in the coming talks will be, she grabs another violin, one made out of rosewood to fit her clothing, and leaves her room. Her music undoubtedly got even those up who rest longer than necessary. Her music was what got her promoted to immortality, so their never aging ears are blessed to experience her music every day, at least that was what Nora was thinking. She walks to and waits in front of the door to the rooms of the Elder of House Orleanu, either to get called in before the meeting, or to at least get a glance at Octavian when he enters. It has been a while, but her musical talent was also booked by Octavian, some time ago, she wasn't exactly sure how long ago that has been, but it was most likely before her new powers developed. With too many thoughts at once in her head, she leans against the wall with violin and bow in her hands waiting for what was to come. (edited)

The staff is busy preparing for their new leadership to arrive. The immortals, the Orleanu name for those who have been raised by the Vampire Courts, have all been requested to be at attendance for this meeting. No one is sure what the demands will be, but they will be exacting, and it is expected many of the Immortals will be taken into Octavian's service. THe elders have mostly kept to themselves, their stations, wealth, and household will no doubt be adversely affected by the chance in circumstance. They may yet have tricks up their sleeves, but they do not dean to inform their more juvenile companions of what might be happening. It is whispered that this corporate like attitude is why Octavian was able to get the better of them. A large dining room has been set for the meeting, and everyone seems to be generally milling about until the messengers arrive. They are no doubt on their way with the setting of the sun

Eisheru, et al. pinned a message to this channel. 5/10/2021 9:16 AM

Nora leans at a wall close to the dining room and watches her family enter the room. Some of them are trustworthy, some are weak, and too many of them use their power and immortality for riches and control. For her that was just not the best use for immortality, amassing knowledge was. Or of course, the game of intrigue and betrayal. While mortals might like to ram a knife into someone's back, she loved it when she acquires compromising information, information that makes others do what she wants them too, all that without any shot fired. She smiles, whatever happens, she know that her chances to come out ahead of the competition, was substantial. When everyone was in the dining room, she entered as well. Walking through the rows, friendly chatter here, friendly chatter there. A laugh here, a wink there. All that with the plan to end up close to an elder. She leans forward, close to his ear. Her long white hair falls perfectly to cover the other side and makes it so nobody could see if she speaks or not. She whispers in his ear, slowly and gracefully. "Good Night, Elder. Good to see you, I hope you had a chance to enjoy some of my music earlier tonight? I just wanted to say, you know whom you can trust and who wouldn't bring blame to our House, if sent to work for Octavian and his people. I for my part never turned my back on House Orleanu, even when they booked me for their club and other festivities. I know who giftet me with immortality, and that was our house. You know that, don't you, Elder?"

He nods once, sagely, before sipping his cup of tea. Setting the ivory cup down onto the saucer of the same color, he sighs. "The game for us has passed. We have gone from Kingmakers in our own right, to pawns, all because most of your brothers and sisters could not stop fraternizing or focusing on their private struggles to work towards the greater whole. To me, This is my retirement. To them, this is punishment. Octavian will take the best , and the rest will be dealt with either now, or in a trickle over time. Put on your best impression. This may be your only chance"

"I see. Sad to hear that, but understandable. Whenever my unbeating heart will make a jump in future nights, it will remind me that I am an immortal and the House Orleanu was so kind to gift me to walk the nights, forever." A hand moves through her hair on the side close to the Elder, she smiles and licks her red lips. "Don't you worry for my well being. I know what I can do. And Octavian might be important and powerful and ages old, but he is still a man in his unbeating heart." Nora looks the Elder into his eyes. "I won't be staked tonight. But if you know anything that might be beneficial for the coming meeting, I would be grateful if you shared it."

"He;'s got offworld contacts now, and is looking to push his operations into the rest of the city - our house was just the beginning. I think he's getting ready for a big move on the others"

She nods. "Thank you. May your retirement be fulfilling and everlasting. If you ever need me, reach out too me. Thank you for everything." That said she gets up again, gets her violin in position and draws the bow to play some sad chords while she finds a place to sit down and wait for the executioner to arrive, although some of her brothers and sister didn't seem realize that.

It is not long, you get through a few songs, when a quartet of dark cars pull up to the front of the home. Butlers open the wide doors, letting the cool night breeze clear out the cloying scents of dinner, the choking fragrances of some of the others, and the tension in the room. Something is finally happening, and one way or another, the big breath out is going to be taken.

Nora sits still for a moment. She can't hide her tension completely. For some, their immortality might end pretty soon. Some deserve it, others might not. She needs to continue to exist. There was still so much to see, to learn, to perfect. She suppresses the urge to play some imperial march, afraid Octavian might catch the irony in it and not laugh but stake her here and now. She chooses a short happy tone, a song not even a minute long, but thanks to her special talents it is amplified, unnaturally that is obvious. That way it can be heard even at the door. Once finished she turns her chair to look towards the door, to watch their visitors enter. Crossed legged, with a smile on her face and her violin in her hands. So they know who was playing, although they might have known anyway. They better should, she is Eleonora Racovitza, Tece's most amazing violinist after all.

Octavian enters flanked by four security. They openly carry rifles into this place. The weapons have the marks of off world manufacture. “That was some beautiful music” his sonorous voice compliments. “Such a talented flower left here to wither and struggle for light amid the ruins of a lesser house. “ He tuts, a dramatic expression even by vampire standards

Nora looks at him, like a beloved benefactor, her savior, like the gardener that will replant her and with enough fertilizer and care will make her grow into the most beautiful flower. All that transmitted by her eyes and a soft yet shy smile while leaning forward a bit. What she thinks tho, is different. "Yeah, yeah, Mr. hoity-toity, I could have played a violin sonata from a third ranked composer, and you would still have said that as if you knew what was up, with the chuzpe of an arrogant asshole. You only liked it because I made it extra loud, which in fact ruined the calmer more quiet parts. Oh well, you will need to learn a bit more, Octavian. But well, better him than end of existence." "Thank you, Octavian. You know I can even make my music work in those techno clubs you like so much." Is what leaves her mouth so, said with a soft rhythmic voice. "With my violin and bow I can tell you anything, I can conjure anything from the deep oceans of emotions to the neon light of enjoyment, and then tell them straight to your unbeating never-ending heart." She might not have the nicest of thoughts concerning their conqueror, but she full well knows the rules, and embraces them as well. As they are part of her life. So now it was the game of her Elder and Octavian. She won't push forward and say anything, unless asked or talked too. No boot licking pleading for mercy, unless being told so. She can smile, look cute and desirable. Unless being spoken at, like before, she won't say a thing. She hopes that sticking to the rules keeps her head where it belongs and bullets away from ruining her flawless appearance. But nonetheless she is on her toes. And not just her it seemed, as she could smell many scents that might be produced because of this tensioned situation. She looks at Octavian and the Elder eager to see what happens next, or afraid to see? She wasn't yet sure, but curious in a way.

He points to Nora, and two guards step forward to welcome you behind their line of protection. "Anyone else in the room you think is worth the trouble of adding to my organization?" he asks, unexpectedly putting the pale Vampress on the spot.

When Octavian points at her, her survival instincts kick in. Her lovely sky blue eyes turn into a bloody red. The grip around her violin tightens, and she is ready to jump at one of the guard's throat to rip it out, or play notes that aren't just awful to the ear nice, but actually hurt. The tension falls off when they walk past her, not seeming to care for her specifically. Her eyes won't return to blue as she still fears for her lives. She only grasps what Octavian asked when he seems to be staring at her, waiting for an answer. She touches her chin, acting as if she was thinking, trying to play off that he actually hit her by surprise with this question and that she wasn't prepared for that. Should she say no? Getting rid of the worthless members of House Orleanu? Ending the whole line, with just one 'No'? She buys herself time, as she gets up she looks at Octavian. "Well, the Elder should stay." She then turns around and places herself between Octavian's guards. Looks at her siblings, one by one. Sees useless ones, actually influential ones. House Orleanu shouldn't die out. Some should continue to exist. And she needs allies, or at least tools. Members so weak that they need her to get them through, Members that don't have strong bonds with anyone outside House Orleanu. She points at two in the back, young man and woman, pretty new to the family, don't know too much, and would definitely need her or get staked within a week by members of House Orniferous if they make mistakes. "Those two." And then points at a finely dressed man not far from where she sat just moments before. He was a gamble, powerful in his own right, they came along well, she wouldn't consider them really close, but he could at least successfully do whatever Octavian wants from them. And who knows, maybe he could prove to be a good ally as well. "Him as well." She says, then turns towards Octavian.

8:48 AM

. "Five of us. Like the four strings of my violin and the bow that is needed to play them. The rest. The rest is up to you to decide." She gets the violin up and in position two play three different arpeggios that together allow her to cast one of her spells. The others might not notice this, but she wants to make sure to have some extra protections if things go badly. (Casting Personal Shielding Field and maintaining Low Focus, as it is the only Spell Slot I have so far, I am out of spells for the night,) (edited)

He nods, and it seems like he will take your recommendation. His guards move forward, taking those you have selected, leading them, and you out the front doors of the home to the waiting cars. The elder comes along as well, it seems a longer conversation is going to be had between the heads of the houses, at another location. Gunfire and screaming inside is all you know of the fates of the rest of those inside

Nora, when lead out makes a quick reroute to her room, to grab what is most dear to her, the violin of her Grandmother. She doesn't know if the murder of her siblings is the only thing Octavian's ruffians will do. Once in the car Nora leans back, a violin in each hand. Curiously she looks at those she 'saved' "So, that was to be expected, yet unexpected. I hope the three of you know that the four of us should stick together, keeping ears and eyes open, right? Help each other." (edited)

(thry're not going to leave yet, they'd let you back inside once that's done)

(okay, but she wouldn't know, right? So going out of her way to get the Violin with Octavia's people knowing, could create a fact that would be exploitable by those who want Nora harm. I guess so the getting the Violin part, even if not necessary, could stay if you are okay with it. Unless you meant they will not enter the cars yet.)

(I meant they're not taking you into the cars yet, just outside for a few minutes, Octavian was going to say something, and you trying to slip away while under direct observation of guards will probably have them think you're trying something)

(alright I rewrite the last part in a bit, as yeah, she wouldnt openly say that with Octavian's people standing right at their sides.)

With both violins in her hands she stays outside. Staring at the door of the mansion she calls home. *She turns to the ones she 'saved' * "Well, that was expected, yet unexpected and a bit unfortunate. Although you three have to agree that they somewhat deserved it. I hope you all see the gift I made you. The chance to exist on. To stay immortal."

Octavian appears again, on the front steps of the home. "Well then, you all are of some use. Let us hope my faith in you is not misplaced. I will be speaking to each of you in turn about assignments, but Nora, I have something for you now. You will ride with me, after you and your fellows collect anything else you might need from the home

"I guess, our house will stay our house? I mean, the servants will get rid of the gone ones. But you won't ruin my room, right?"

"The home will remain yours, but you will be staying with me for some time while we determine the future of Tece, and This city, "

2:39 PM

"Until then, your staff will keep it clean, and will await your return"

She nods. "Thank you. I'll be back in a minute, or two, Octavian." She leaves and securely stows away the violin of her grandma, unsure what awaits her she only keeps the rosewood violin on her, and all she needs to maintain it. She then quickly packs a few clothes and other things into a black suitcase and returns after about fifteen minutes to Octavian. Before giving him a chance to say anything she starts to apologize. "Sorry for the wait, Octavian. I just, you know packed some things. You can't expect me to stay a while with you, unable to change clothes." With a smile she approaches the car, hoping for one of the drives to take care of her luggage. "I am ready."

One of them does indeed take your luggage, and opens the door for you. He steps into the car, and it pulls out of formation with the others, to depart into the ever changing streets. "That violin of yours, it really does something. It also makes quite the perfect cover for what my next aspirations are"

Nora leans back and looks out of the window. Neo-Night city draws closer. Her skin glistening in the neon light coming from billboards, club names, and city lights, her soot-black lashes, her still blood-red eyes and pale skin, contrasting each other pretty well. Through all this time she focuses on keeping that protective shield going, whatever he wants her to do, might actually be dangerous. She frowns for a short moment when Octavian talks about her Violin, and she can't hide a smile. "He doesn't know, he doesn't know that it is me and not the Violin. Or is it a test?" Knowing her position in this she turns to him, obediently answering and trying not to cross lines, or tell him too much. "Oh yeah, my violins are all special, they amplify what is within me. Emotions, the magic of joy and the prickle on the skin and in the listeners ears." She moves a bit to get a better look at him. Now partially leaning against the car door. "Next aspirations? You are a busy man, Octavian. Tell me, how can I be of use to you?" (edited)

"There are more families here than yours, and mine, as ytou know. The various entertainment clubs here are meeting places for themselves, and skilled mortals they attract. Not everyone will see the light as readily as your elder did, and to that end, your cover as a musician will also allow you to be my blade. We will prepare for a wonderful concert, where you will both dazzle the crowd, and take the life out of a scion of another house who has been a perpetual thorn in my side"

Nora nods. "Yes, Octavian, I know the entertainment clubs quite well. They are among the places where I earn my money." She flashes her fangs. "And they are the easiest place to quench the never-ending hunger, at least for a bit." "I sadly have to admit we may don't necessarily have too much in common, Octavian. And even if your grasp for power cost House Orleanu much, well, not too much considering how worthless, those whose immortality ended, were. I have to say that I see the need for one strong grip for power here on Tece, not just that, I would really appreciate it. Lets us focus on so many more important things than some constant quarrel." "So a concert to die for. I don't know how present you want to be in this. I could visit said club and convince them to let me play a concert. So they won't know you are involved. Or you arrange the concert, so everyone knows you are involved. Depends on what message you want to send."

"If they know I am involved, I believe those thin blooded cowards will not show themselves. or will send lesser and ultimately expendable proxys instead. We want to ensure we get our mark"

"Missing our mark would almost be sacrilegious here. Good. If you tell me which club then I am going to visit it tonight. You shouldn't park to close those. Far enough a away so I could take a taxi to the club, as I wouldn't walk there either. We don't want to make them suspicious. I see what I get done, we talk about the specifics once I took a look. How does that sound?"

"I think you have read my mind. You are sure you are not a telepath?" he cracks a rare smile

Nora returns the smile. "No, No. That must have been your wording. You put the only correct conclusion right into my mouth." She points at a crossroads a bit ahead of them. "There, mostly workshops that are closed by now. Nobody should see me leave your car if we do it there. And it is not too shabby, so a taxi will pick me up there. Anything besides the club name that I should know?"

"The club is the Crimson Caravaneer. I don't think there is much to deliberate until you have a look inside and we can figure out operational details. We need to do this by the end of the week, but that does not mean rushing into it today"

8:28 AM

"You have been through enough, for tonight"

The red leaves her eyes as she drops the focus on her spell. She knows that her magic will protect her for a short while longer, but for now, it wasn't needed anymore. Her sky blue eyes stare at Octavian. Curiosity? Fascination? Fear? Disgust? He can't read it, as she isn't entirely sure what it is. "Huh, yes. That is true. I hope you spared our mortal servants? After a night like this, I'd like to enjoy a drink, a drink that pleasures me more than some wine. So, if I should return to the Orleanu Mansion, I hope it wouldn't be too much trouble for you to drive me back. I could always call a Taxi if you have more important things to do. But no matter how, expect me to visit the club tomorrow."

"The mortals have been spared. They are no threat, and will continue to serve when you return to your home. We will return you there, and you are free to scout at your convenience. You will call me once you have investigated, and we will discuss how this throat cutting is meant to go"

"Thank you for your indulgence. Their lives are so short already, no need to shorten them even more. And thank you for sparing me, for now, Octavian." She turns again, sitting correctly in her seat now and looking into the distance, thinking. She wouldn't talk to Octavian, unless he does. Curious to see what awaits her once she returns home.

You are dropped off, along with your fellows who look to have undergone similar talks with whoever their House Oniferous handlers are. The rooms have been cleaned, the bodies have been taken, and the possessions of the slain have been boxed up for you to go through, stacked in the main hallway- but otherwise the house seems exactly like the one you have left.

The mansion feels empty, a feeling she can live with. She could open up one of walls adjacent to her room that borders a non-occupied room now. But all of it was something she could think about later. For now, she needs to infiltrate a club by, well, using her best skill set and performing like, well like Nora, the best violinist in the city. And this was definitely not an exaggeration. She will find a plan later, rushing things was a mistake only mortals do. Anything was too complicated for today, the others that survived the culling, her job, anything. To brighten her mood she calls one of her servants to her room. They will have fun, well, she will, and she will quench some of her thirst. The rest of the night and the coming day are restful and Nora awaits the reopening of the shutters from her armchair. Tonight she will visit the Crimson Caravaneer, she wasn't sure if she went there before, but their techno music might not differ to that of other clubs. She walks over to her desk and opens her leather-bound grimoire to again prepare her spells. As much as she tries, she can't memorize more than one. "Crimson Caravaneer, how does that sound?" After looking through her wardrobe for a bit just to grab a more classic dress, crimson colored with a white petticoat of a bit more than knee-length. Happy with her choice, she leaves her room to see if she can find any of her remaining family members before making her way to the club. (Prepared for the day is again the Personal Shielding Field)

The outfit is selected and there are a few small cars that the house has in its name to use for smaller errands. A servant can drive you if you cannot.

Nora can drive, of course she can. But why would she? There are mortals who can do that for her. She is about to call one to do just that, but then feels like it would be bad for her cover and decides to drive herself. But before she does, she gets her Compad and tries to do a quick search to see if she could get visuals of the owner of the Crimson Caravaneer.

Rube Aquillon, the owner of the club is another minor vampire. House Aquillon has done nothing but fall prey to its own internal factions and their self serving interests over the years, but packs of their juveniles are growing ever more cavalier in their hunts. It's attracted attention from some of the wrong people. Octavian, and your own house previously both employed armies of programmers to keep the worst (and most accurate) of the conspiracy theories off local nets, but the longer this all goes on, the more likely it is someoe will get just a bit too close to the truth- and the hunters will find themselves as hunted

"Aquillon? Yeah, I have no problem getting rid of one of those problem childs. That smirk on his face will surely change once it sees the morning sun. Good. Now let us see if I get a concert going." She grabs her crystaline glass E-violin with complete synthetic sound. Might sound weird but it fits a club like that perfectly. She takes one of the smaller cars and drives from the outskirts into the more beating heart of Neo Night City. She parks two streets away and pays for the parking, as tickets are something unworthy of her. She then makes her was to the front door of the club. She is pretty early for the regular party folk, but that means she's got some time. She walks up to some bouncer. She doesn't even look at them as she tries to get in.

They give you no trouble, looking as nice as you do, a beautiful woman will mean drinks are purchased and the club will make money. The line is bypassed and the large black padded doors are opened, to the red lit pounding of techno music within.

Nora closes her eyes. She hears the bass, she feels it. She doesn't necessarily like techno too much. But any music, any rhythm can stimulate her. She looks around to see if this club is multifloored with maybe a floor that offers different music styles, like electro for example.

|(trying to find a map i like for this, since its going to be important)

10:02 PM

(How’s that?)

(Perfetct!) "Time for Part One, How to get booked." One quick look told her that there was just one floor. Getting the Techno crowd with her Violin won't be easy, but doable, mortals are easily swayable in the end. And that way she won't be overlooked by those in charge. The club was still in the process of filling with people. So to get a feeling for it, Nora walks over to the bar and orders some wine, overpriced cheap wine, and looks around. Every sip disgusts her, only worse are those mortals who actually try to flirt with her. But just sitting there and watching could attract the wrong looks. So she keeps on drinking the wine and those who are too penetrantly flirting leave once she starts talking about her taxidermist hobby. Which is fake but a perfect flirt repellent. But it always amuses her that those people think they could be more than food, that, and the fact that they don't know who sits in front of her. After rejecting people and drinking three glasses of wine, more and more people are entering the dance floor. That was the moment to strike, so she walks over to the DJ, who is super busy staring at his preplanned Playlist. She tips him on his shoulder, and raises her violin. "Hey, do you think I could play a song or two?" (edited)

“That’s a nxje case you got there. Tell you what , you got two songs so I can get a drink and relieve myself. When I come back you’ve got to give me five minutes to talk to you”

8:25 AM

He is obviously very enamored

Nora places herself in front of the DJ's desk. Some light shines onto her. Being the center of attention is what she deserves, but even if the spotlight is no sunlight, it still hurts on her skin. So it is always a battle of mild pain and major excitement. A feeling she thrives for, like acquiring knowledge. She doesn't want to use any too obvious magic tricks to not raise suspicion, but before raising her violin she makes sure that the speakers, any speakers, on and around the dance floor are silent. Most of them had to be anyway, as the DJ stopped his music and connected his console to the wireless signal of her violin. Once most eyes are on her, Nora brings the violin up to her shoulder, resting her chin on the familiar rest. She closes her eyes and takes in the moment. She raises her bow, slowly, gracefully. Very slowly she draws her bow across the strings and a slow and haunting melody comes forth from the instrument. A sad and touching sound, a tragic melody which could make one's chest tighten and let tears run form in their eyes. It is an unusual start to a performance like this, amidst people who only want to party. But the contrast is what she is aiming for. The slow playing gets faster and faster, more vivid. The sound so happy and the rhythm made for dancing that she tries to catch them all. Where just moments ago tears of sadness could have been in the faces of people, tears of joy are what would follow now. Where just moments ago she was standing still, she is now pirouetting, dancing herself to animate the crowd to do the same. She tries to catch them all, it is not their usual techno beats, it is a melody that tries to touch their hearts and embrace their minds alike. True art. With her second song finished her music comes to a sudden stop. After these minutes of playing and dancing, she looks around, to see if the crowd did like her performance, or not.

(Seen jsut gotta digest all this

They seem to like it and have stopped their dancing , on the edge of wanting more. You’ve seen eyes like this, like someone with a hunger. Someone needing just a little bit more. You’re only part of the way through your promises set. After this the club owners must be watching. Surely

Nora knows their hunger well. She looks to the DJ, knowing that she charmed him already. She raises a finger and mouths a 'One More!' and sends him a kiss through the air. He might be useful in this as well. She then turns to the crowd again. And drives away the silence by playing again. For her last part she goes for a fast happy track. Trying to win them all.

(Perform/cha, or int. Either one)

(perf/cha = 9)

The performance is flawless and you have the rapt attention of all the revelers here

Nora bathes in the attention she gets, almost gets a bit lost in it and drowns, but it is what she deserves, even if it is just mortals praising her play. She uses the relative silence to get her message out, hopefully to be heard not just by guests but also by the management. "Thank you! Maybe I get booked for the weekend. I would love to play the full set to give you the complete 'Killing Strings'-Concert experience. Have a good night!" She nods towards the DJ, signaling him to start his Playlist again, before the absence of music becomes to long and ruins the moment. The seed was planted. She was hoping for that the management or even Aquillon himself would approach her, if not she will make the move. But for know she places herself where she could be found and uses the time to create more options, by using mortals to her advantage. So she walks over to the DJ and places herself at his side. She knows how to play that game, so with a seductive look on her face she talks to the DJ, he is well below her status and his set is not among the better ones in the city, but he is the right one, as he plays here. And she knows how to act. "Thank you for giving me the chance. Maybe I get to play a whole concert here? But I don't know if they offer me the chance when they call such a talented and handsome DJ, like you, their house DJ. Are you here the whole night?"

"I'll b e here the whole night, and it looks like you might have your wish" he says , noting club management approaching, in this case Aquillon himself and a human female aide whom you suspect does more for him than just managing his various holdings

2:34 PM

The DJ is also a mortal and has the good sense to make himself scarce

"We talk later sweetie." She whispers towards the DJ. She would feel dirty for flirting with such a mortal. But a job that decides if she will continue to exist, warrants anything. While turning to Aquillon and his plaything, she has to resist the urge to grin, instead she puts on a shy and surprised look, and talks like this as well. "Oh, I am sorry, please I know I shouldn't have played before asking, but such a cool club wouldn't let me simply play a gig, so I thought, I, well, play a song to show that I might be worth being booked."

"I'm glad you took the initiative and did.We would have missed out on a truly special show. YOu think you could do that again? another night I mean"

Nora acts as if she is thinking about it and after a moment she nods. "Yes, yes I could. I mean, a few days of preparation, I guess I could put together a full show for the weekend. Would that be okay?"

"Of cours,e of course. This is Maybeth, she'll make sure you have what you need to put on a hell of a show"

Nora makes a real happy face. "Oh how wonderful, thank you soo much. This will be a performance that you will never forget, I promise!" She turns to Maybeth and leans closer to her, so she doesn't have to talk so loud and continues to act surprised and happy. "Should we go backstage to..." She shrugs. "..um, like talk about it in more detail?" "Just say yes, plaything, I want to see how the backstage area looks like, and you will lead me there."

"Of course, you'll need to see the equipment I suppose. Follow me please"

7:30 AM

Her diminutive footsteps lead you through a STAFF ONLY door, to the back, where girders suspend the stage and dance lights in the ceiling. The backstage area is fairly spartan, mostly occupied by a pair of dressing rooms, a utility room where the power controls and cleaning supplies are, and a door that leads out back into the alley for staff members to take out trash and smoke.

While Maybeth leads Nora through the backstage area, she keeps her eyes open, on the lookout for cameras. And when they reach the backdoor, it strikes special interest in her. "Um, Maybeth, I hope it is okay to call you by your first name, um.." She points at the back door. "So if I need to calm my nerves before the gig, um, could I like go out there, take a smoke and come back in? Would there be like a key I need or like some code to be typed in? Or would I need staff to reopen the door for me?"

"Staff would have to open it for you. I've seen some of them wedge it open with a brick, but an alarm goes off after a minute or so if its left open. Usually they only do that if they're taking out the trash at night

"Yeah! Understandable, I mean in the dark night, I wouldn't want to be alone outside. You know, all those stories that get told, yeah, I understand why they would want to block it with a brick. You heard those stories too, right?" She nods and continues to look for cameras.

There isnt anything back here that you can see as a camera

"So do we go to the owner's office to sign something now? I guess I will talk to the DJ about the lights and sound equipment."

"Do you have a compad frequency? We can send the details electronically when Mr. Aquillon has time. "

8:21 AM

"And you can review them when you have the time"

"Sure, sure, yes. But, you know." She points at her Violin. "I don't know if it is because I play a Violin or why I play a Violin, but I am an old soul. I would love to frame my contract. I mean, if you even have a printer or something. Coming home to show my parents would be great. But of course if that really would be no option to you we can do it digitally." She looks like a puppy, begging for food. At the same time she just wants to rip Maybeth's throat out for making Nora act like that.

"I suppose I can ask?" she volunteers, unsure of the outcome herself it seems

"Would you? That would be so nice and kind of you. But I accept anything. I mean I could even ask, you could always say I was bugging you." Nora doesn't care for a piece of paper with the signature of an idiot that will soon be gone. All she wants is to take a look at Aquillon's office, and to see first hand if she notices any form of protection.

"Alright, hang out here for a minute, maybe take a peek in the dressing room there and see if its up to speed, I'll be back in a few"

"Thank you." Nora says with a smile, before taking a look into the dressing room, use her minutes of waiting.

THe dressing room is a typical club room. There is a mirror and dresser, makeup table, a bathroom and a small lounge. It is not especially dirty but it is not what you have at home.

Nora walks up to the mirror, looks at it and turns around. Enjoying the only part of the room that she could enjoy without touching it. Always knowing that she might be watched from another room, she keeps her role of the shy and happy woman that just got the chance to play a gig in a few days.

Maybeth returns after a few moments, printed contract in hand. She is dabbing at her neck with a handkerchief and looks a little unkempt. You can smell blood, even though the wounds would be almost imperceptible

Nora smells the fresh blood, her jaw shivers slightly and her fangs almost extend a bit. After a short moment she catches herself again and walks over to Maybeth, with the same shy smile on her face like before. She knows what happened but acts as if she doesn't recognize anything. "Oh that is soo cool, my first contract! So I sign it and bring it over to Mr. Aquillon?"

"You said you were going to frame it. There is no reason to return it. I will escort you out then, and we'll look forward to seeing you in a couple days"

"I am going to frame it! My parents will be soo proud! Um, am I allowed to party a bit more today before I have to leave the club?"

"Knock yourself out" she ways with disinterest

"A few more days and I'll drink you dry, to the last drop." Now Nora laughs, both for a fake and for real reason at the same time. She then leaves for the dance floor and walks over to the DJ. Showing him thumbs up as soon as he sees her. "Yeah! I did it. Um, do you have a free night until I'll have my show here? Like to celebrate more privately?"

"A free night? I;m here tomorrow, I'm not working though, just going to hang out. You will be here?"

"Maybe." She says with another fake smile. "But I guess I am going home now, gonna show my parents the contract, they surely will be proud. Well, they will be asleep now I guess. It was nice to meet you." Her hand touches his, before she turns around and leaves the club. Enjoying a neon night in Neo Night city. Once she gets to her car she drives back to the mansion and into the garage, waiting for a servant to open her door.

(3xp, 5000 credits)

LvL 1 - > 2
AB 0->0 (yay)
HP [2+4]+2x1=8
HP 7->8

Focus Pick: Reflexes of an Immortal

3SP: Cast Magic 0-> 1 (2SP)
     Notice    -1-> 0 (1SP)

New Spells:  Aspect of Elegance (SL 1)
             Implanted Whim (SL 1)

(edited)

(Sorry for double posting, I just felt I ended my last post in a bad spot, I left you no clue of where this should lead.) Her door gets opened quickly. The servants of House Orleanu know their place. And Nora doesn't have to suppress an urge to rip out their throats. With an unusual display of care and affection, she smiles at the servant, an honest but tired smile. Nora gets out of the car, grabs her violin and turns to the servant again. "Please frame that contract, it will remind me of what is to come. And please call together the family, or what is left of it, and our mortal servants. I'll await them in the dining.., no the living room. The dining room brings up too many bloody memories." "Part Two, Collecting the Puzzle Pieces, is underway."

It takes an hour for the survivors to get themselves together. Your contract has not been framed yet, but you suspect it is because they are trying to do a perfect job, and rushing it will not accomplish what you want.

Nora sits in an armchair and stares out into the night. She can feel the looks of the survivors resting on her. What do they think? Can they be trusted? Will they retaliate? Does she have other options? No. She has no time and needs to count on them. A few days from now will be the gig, and everything needs to work flawless. Anything less than perfection could ruin the composition. And who wants to listen to a song were the musician misses the notes. Or a painting that is just, average. Nobody would. After thinking for just a bit longer she turns to the rest. A smile on her face. For now ignoring the servants and staring at the three Immortals that were spared, besides herself and the Elder. "I see, you are still all there. I don't know if you have any hard feelings. And I don't care. My word, let your existence continue. Your immortality persist." She sighs and leans back. "We have no choice but to work for Octavian, and that is why you are here. Saturday Night I will need your help in capturing a vampire. His existence shall end. The three of you will come to a location that I'll give you when the time is right. I'll make sure you get in. Then we get the target and you will bring him to a certain place. You make sure that the target stays under control, while our servants care for the rest. Will you do that?"

"Can you give us anymore information than that?" the one you had identified previously as a schemer asks

She leans forward, her fangs extend and she looks at him like a predator. "More information? How about, if you stick to my plan, it will be successful. If I fail, the immortality of all of you, is in vain. If you betray me, you will see the dawn."

"We have to capture someone, who? And where do you want us to take them?"

She smiles. "The who, was answered by, a vampire. There where, was answered by, somewhere. The specifics will be on your compad, Saturday night. Let us just say, the less you know, the higher the chances are that we succeed. Sufficient?" "I won't tell him, just so he runs to Aquillon trying to get something out of it for himself and leads me into my demise."

They have no choice in the matter, though you sense you're going to need to ward yourself against them snfifing around

There is an elongated moment of silence before Nora speaks again. "Good, thank you for your cooperation. You are free to leave now." Not awaiting any response, she turns towards the servants, and after a short moment focuses on the one she fed on last night. "Come over here." She says in an almost commanding tone while also gesturing with two fingers that the servant should come closer.

He looks paler than a normal Tecean, and tired,but he comes as called

She hands him an envelope. "Read it, memorize it, burn it, and get me anything on that list. Tomorrow night, you will accompany me on a trip through the city, or one you trust, in case you are still feeling weak. Will you do that for me?"

"I will do anything you ask, Lady Nora. It is my pleasure to serve you"

A soft smile forms on her face as she looks at the servant, like a human would look at a beloved house dog. "I know, you and most others have been of great service. And I'll try to make sure that it can stay this way, that we don't lose the roof above our heads, or worse. Although I feel like some of my remaining siblings might not understand what gift I gave them, by letting them exist." She touches his cheek. "But that should not be your problem. I will get some rest, to think. Get some rest, or some other servant will accompany me tomorrow night." With that said, she gets up from the armchair and gets to her room, to get rest and for the surprise to see which servant knocks at the door the next night.

The same one answers the summons the following day, coming with your breakfast and the normal air of cold acceptance of fate that comes with most house servants.

The same one answers the summons the following day, coming with your breakfast and the normal air of cold acceptance of fate that comes with most house servants. Nora doesn't answer the knocking at first, for almost half an hour she is focusing on remembering the patterns, the way she has to make the strings swing. What she has to think about. For weeks, she wasn't able to memorize more than one of the spell patterns she has in her grimoire, but today was different. She memorized two! With deeply felt happiness she gets to the door and opens it herself. And grabs the tablet with her breakfast. Which is all in all pretty unusual for her. "Come on in, take a seat." Nora walks into her walk-in wardrobe and gets dressed. Once she gets back out again she takes a seat in her armchair, ignoring the breakfast for now. "We will be going out today, looking for a certain location for my show. And maybe I will go to some club later as well, but that we will see. It depends on if we will be trailed by a certain sibling of mine, or not. So do you know of some abandoned factory?"

He thinks for a moment. "When I was a street kid, before the family found me, we used to play in the empty warehouses on Northside. I have not been there since falling into family employ. It has been some years"

"Well, that is quite something, right? We can start there. Let me just..." She gets the cup with some dark red berry tea in it, and downs it in one go. ", thank you, that was quite good. Get the car ready, we will be going to visit that warehouse. Oh, but carry away the breakfast plate. I don't want it to stay here, I can't stand the smell of old food in my room." Without waiting for an answer, Nora gets her hair done, puts her grimoire into a secret compartment of her armchair, and grabs her rosewood violin. Then waits for the servant to call her to the prepared car.

It is outside, pulled up to the front of the house and prepared for you. Everyone is eager to be about their tasks

Nora gets doors held open by servants and gets a comfy position on a backseat. "Northside it is. Let us find out if those places are still empty, or if we need to get rid of some beggars or other problems." (While driving, Nora would look around to see if someone tails them.)

(notice/wis)

(6)

Nobody seems to be following you, as you head north, to the abandoned warehouses where your servant used to play and cut his teeth on the world. Things are more developed now it seems, and he remarks a few times in apology that thnigs have moved from where he remembers them being, as he takes streets that did not used to be there to get to a destination that might not exist. Things are spaced out more this far from the center of the city- passing by isolated homes, and infrastructure more suited to off world shipping. You would have expected to see more activity here, given Octavian's new friends from off-world, but it still seems pretty quiet. A warehouse at the end of the long row has been restored, and seems to have some workmen buzzing around it, but otherwise, things are more or less what your servant remembered.

With the warehouse at the end restored and busy, Nora points at one far enough away, so it wouldn't arouse suspicion if some show would happen there. "Do you think that could be empty?"

"It might be. No sense speculating. May we look, Mistress Nora?"

"Sure. Let us just hope it isn't full of beggars. Or that we find a way to get them out, without getting our clothes dirty." Once her servant opens her door, she gets out. Looking at a long abandoned warehouse. "Yes, that, that is the right scenery for the show." Nora walks in front of her servant, at least a bit caring for his well being. (She would either approach the fron gate, if there is a fence around it. Or the front door if it is accessible.)

The front garage door is accessible, and you see your servant pull something out of his coat pocket. It is a small bundle, wrapped in an oil cloth stained with the passage of time. A small brass key is pressed into your hand, and you can see he is fighting his absolute hardest to keep back a tear, as memories of the place come flooding back to him

Nora looks at her servant. Almost stares at him. With the key in her hand she wonders what it was that made this mortal go emotional like this. Did he sell her to Aquillon or her siblings? She could understand that this intriguing act could make him cry. But what else could it be? It was just some old garage. After a way too long silence she has to ask. "Why do you get emotional? Did you sell me to someone? Was it some long planned con that makes you so emotional? When I open this door, who will push a stake through my heart? Who will it be? Or, is it because you can't await my performance?"

"No, no. None of that" he says, clearing his eyes after a moment. "Last time I was here, we had just lost a turf war. The gang that overpowered us executed everyone, including the woman I promised to love forever. They made me watch. I was left alive, as a warning. To carry the message. Octavian found me shortly after, in a sorry state. He promised me revenge, and he kept true to that once I was inducted into the household. Seeing this place again, it is like seeing the stump of a severed limb, and remembering the accident that caused it"

8:10 AM

'Apologies for speaking out of turn, mistress Nora. I will not be emotional in your presence again. " He hands the key over to you, delicately, and taking extra care not to actually touch you.

8:11 AM

You can sense his story leaves out much of the actual horror of that night.

Nora looks at him, confused. Maybe even sad that the reason for the emotionality is something mundane like this. It is obvious that she doesn't grasp how the story he told can lead to him still being emotional. Mortal lives are short anyways, so making it a bit shorter, shouldn't come unexpected, or should it? She doesn't want to think anylonger about it and just nods. "Well, revenge has been had. So I guess, we can look forward, but if this is somewhat unsettling for you, for whatever reason, I can go inside alone." *She unlocks the door and opens it, once she is halfway through she turns towards the servant to see if he follows, or not."

He follows, his loyalty to you and the house consciously placed above personal discomfort. This one may have some use, after all.

"Maybe one day I can understand them. I mean I was one of them, many, many, many years in the past." Nora enters the garage, she tries to be rather quiet, but knows that anyone alert might have heard her talking to the servant anyway. Inside she would look around to see if others might live there, people who used other entryways.

This place looks to be abandoned. The work taking place at the end of the block means the workers would notice if someone was squatting long term. There are certain patterns of behavior that come with settling down somewhere that would become harder and harder to hide, and the Neo-Night City police would be here before long to escort the trespasser elsewhere

Nora points at the windows. "We should cover them. To keep curious eyes from seeing a show they shouldn't see. You think you can do that? I mean not alone. You could take some of the others with you. And then you could bring everything else from the envelope."

He nods. “The gardening shed at home. We have plastic to gather the leaves and keep the weeds from growing. It is black. We have a lot , would that work?”

Nora thinks for a moment and then nods. "Yeah, keeps the light in and doesn't attract eyes that shouldn't see the show. Yeah that is great. The stage will be over there." She points at a certain spot. "Oh and bring the projector from the mansion. For the live stream. The wall to our right will be excellent for that, and will be a direct focus for the eyes so they don't see the stage right away. Yes, yes that sounds good." She walks over to her servant and looks him in the eyes. "I don't know how well my siblings will cooperate, the two yound ones will most likely, as they have no chance on their own. The other is capable, but can't be fully trusted. So I trust you that you will have the other servants under control and a the show as well. When this all goes well, I'll grant you one wish. Because the success of this show will secure our future. Mostly mine, but that is key for us all. So don't disappoint me, you understand how important this is, right?"

“I won’t fail you Lady Nora. Not of my own will. I promise you”

12:14 PM

He seems resolved to do everything he can

Nora puts her pale hand on his shoulder. "That is what I want to hear. And I don't lie. That one wish, that one wish will be granted. Within reason of course. Good, I will keep you in charge of this building and the preparations that have to be done. So we are ready when the day comes. So don't you worry, I won't feed on you. So you don't get too weak from it. Let us leave. It is better to not draw any attention on us being here. Could you bring me to the Crimson Caravaneer next, I'd like to party a bit. But we should make extra sure that nobody tails us."

"I will take the scenic route ma'am , if it pleases you"

8:18 AM

He opens the door for you, before entering himself and turning the engine on, beating a roundabout course from the building and heading back into the city streets

"As long as we arrive at the club before dawn, I am happy with anything. We aren't in a rush after all, thanks to the key of yours." After seeing nobody following them to the garage, she doesn't expect anyone following her now. But she still looks out from time to time. Thinking that she would might realize it, with the scenic route that he takes. In the meantime she looks at Neo Night City. "The future will be glorious. For us all."

Nobody seems to be following, and your servant is content to wait for you to return. He has no business inside a club like that, at worst he will be fed on by something else, and your plan loses its most critical element

Before her servant gets a chance to help her out of the car, she does so herself. Obviously irritating him, but she can't be seen being served like this by a servant. She is quick, quick enough to block his door and knock at his window. Once he gets it down, she leans in. "Go home. Take the rest of the night off. I'll get home, someway or another. One of the other servants should wait in my room, in case I am hungry tonight. This can't be you, though. I need you at your fullest capabilities. Good Night." She nods then leaves to try and get into the Crimson Caravaneer, hoping that the DJ is there.

You see the car leave, and upon entering the bar you see the DJ waiting there, trying to cash in one of the drink tokens he gets in exchange for providing the night's entertainment. A small filler set is playing right now, and it has a couple more songs in it that it can play without his help

Nora enters the main floor with two objectives in mind. Maybe getting access to a key for the back door, for a more flexible approach and continuing to give the DJ false hopes to have him as some backup, some tool, dispensable like most mortals. She walks to the bar. "Oh, so will I get those tokens as well on the weekend?" *She asks with a flirty smile."

"Probably. They're not sure paying us is something they're comfortable with" he mimics what must be the management here. Its a poor imitation, but he is trying

Nora takes a seat right next to him with a soft smile on her face. "So I can't expect a drink from you for my weekend show then?" She laughs, a kind, friendly laugh. Showing some compassion. "I actually didn't really look at my payment. Well, it most likely says that I get payed in..." She makes air quoutes. "Exposure. Or something else that my parents landlord won't accept. But I am going to have fun so.." (She tries to have a nice, slightly flirty conversation with him, but while doing so she has an eye on female barkeeps or other personnel, ones that look like they are smokers and would at some point take a break to sneak out the backdoor to smoke. If one of those leaves she would like to follow, giving the DJ some excuse why she wants to go to the "Staff Only"-area. If nothing like that happens, she would stay a bit with the DJ to chat before dancing a bit and then leaving again without raising suspicion.)

You see a steady stream of bartenders heading to the back to smoke. THey ensure there is enough coverage at the bar when doing so, the hallmark of a nicely run restaurant. Aquillon knows how to run a club. Killing him will be almost a shame

A shame or not, Nora doesn't care. In the end it is his existence versus her's, there isn't even a second thought. When the the DJ gets back to start another playlist, Nora follows a bartender heading for the "Staff Only"-Area. Once throught the door she starts to talk to the bartender. "Hey, would you mind if we share a smoke?"

She looks up, surprised, but her customer service persona takes back over, and she nods offering the pack to you

11:47 AM

"Need a light too?"

"Sure, thank you. I'll return the favor in just a few days. On the weekend, when I am playing a show here. How do you like it here? And, uh, I really like your hair, wish I had curls like you. " Nora tries to get the bartender involved in some talking, so if the door was blocked with a brick, she would have to close it if she wants to continue talking with Nora. Or, if she doesn't remove the brick, but no alarm sounds, it would reveal that there was no alarm.

"It's a nice place to work" she says, moving to the door to remove the brick. "we can go back in through the front. They'll get mad if the alarm company calls just because I'm out here not working."

"Yeah, it would be a shame if you got into trouble because of me. But, don't they give you keys for the backdoor? What if you would bring out the trash after closing the club. Wouldn't you end up locked out? With all the nightmarish stories of what lures in the darkness." " Because your blood definitely smells sweet. Would be a waste if the wrong predators would get you."

"Usually someone comes with. Too dangerous to go alone anyway, 'specially for a woman, ya know?"

Nora nods. "I do, I do." "I guess I won't become a simple thief and steal the key, so timing will be important to not start the alarm." "Thank you for sharing with me. Will you work during my show?"

She thinks, trying to remember her schedule. "This weekend I should be here. Hope to see you play. Missed the last one but everyone here has been talking about it

"Maybe I'll play a special song for you then. How would that be?"

"You would? Why would you do something like that?"

"Because your blood smells sweet, and you look just like the gift I'll gift myself after my show is over. To celebrate my victory." Nora smiles at her, before looking down. "Because you are cute, and, um, maybe we could have a more private date after the show is over. Only if you like to of course."

"I...I'm flattered. No one has wanted to take me out to do anything in a long time. I will see you this weekend then" she smiles.

"You will see me, yes, the real me." Nora suppresses the urge to extend her fangs and instead giggles a bit. "Can't wait, but we should be heading back in, don't want you to get into trouble." She sits at the bar, drinks some wine and sways her head to the rhythm of the bass, for a few more hours, just enough, so it actually looks like she wanted to come there to listen to some music. Before leaving, she turns to one of the Bartenders. "Could you give me the manager's number please? Or ask him if he has a tiny bit of time for me now, so I could ask a question?"

She writes down both management, and her own number on the back of an advertising card for the Crimson Caravaneer, and then heads inside giving you arm an affectionate squeeze as she passes.

She returns the squeeze with a shy smile. A smile that covers the hungry predatory smile that is within her. She then takes a taxi back home, close to home. About fifteen minutes of walking away from the mansion, as she tends to be overly paranoid sometimes. Thinking too much about the what-if's, the when's and thinking that she is so important or otherwise noticeable that people could watch her, for whatever reason. Not that walking home would prevent anyone from counting one and one together. On her way she texts Aquillon.

Hey, um, it's me, your violinist. Can't wait for the weekend. Will you be there to wish me luck before the show? ♥‿♥

I am there for every show. I look forward to seeing what you can do

6:45 AM

The message is short, businesslike, and direct.

"I had to search for an emoji like that. But I may need it to use it some more, to keep my after show dessert wanting to be the date of a violinist." The price was in sight, the pieces collected. Now it was time to put them together, to finish the puzzle and make a show that someone, someone of her kind will die for. The night ends with a snack from another servant of the house. The coming days return to her more normal routine, of reading, thinking and playing music, and now the occasional message to the bartender. Until the night of the show. Her magic prepared, she assembles the rest of her small family in the dining room. She has four stun batons in her hands. One for each Immortal, including herself. She chose three of the house's servants to act as drivers and to help with the show in the garage. "Tonight, is the night. We will drive to the location where our target is waiting to be kidnapped by us, he just doesn't know it yet. We will park in a back alley of the destination. I will enter it, open the back door and the three of you come with me. I don't expect any real resistance. Not enough to win against us four. You know I'll only give you some information, that won't change now. But if you have any questions, now is your last chance to ask them."

"Are you donig this at the behest of Octavian? or is this some kind of revenge scheme of your own?"

"This is for Octavian, no revenge scheme of some sorts. Could we kill Octavian? Maybe. Are we after revenge? Maybe. But if I would do something like that, I could wait and see the dawn right after it. Because his minions would chase me all over Tece. Hunting me. I would have to hide, every day. I am not made for this. We aren't prey, we are predators. So no. All for House Orniferous, our glorious..." She leaves the rest unsaid. "Anything else?"

Aside from some specific notes about what you want done when, that you're able to provide to ensure there are no mistakes, the group seems ready to follow this plan. Accomplishing it gets all of them at least some measure of good standing with the new House leadership, and some stability to this volitle situation is something none of them can comfortably afford to pass up.

Nora walks over to her servant and whispers in his ear. "Get us to the Crimson Caravaneer now. You know, the club you brought me to a few days ago. You park in the back alley. I'll leave, then the other immortals will leave. They'll return with a package. Bring them to the garage afterwards and together with the other servants prepare everything we talked about. There will be a special guest coming a bit later as well. I'll count on you, and have not forgotten what I offered you. Are you ready?"

"I am ready Mistress Nora. I will not let you down, like I promised" He seems timid, but less than he used to be due to the amount of time you have spent together recently

She kisses his neck and softly pushes her fangs into it. Just to get them out without sucking any blood. It is as if she wants to mark what is hers and to make sure the servant knows as well. "Good. Get the Van ready." That said she moves to her room and grabs her violin. With it in her hands she plays a short crescendo and with it done she is immediately perfectly dressed and looks like the best hairdresser and makeup artists have put hands on her. (Casting Aspect of Elegance and Light Focus kept) Once that is done, she enters the Van, so they can drive to the Crimson Caravaneer.

(How did you want him to do this, parking in the usual place or closer?)

(Further away. Then she walks over and enters the club. Goes backstage to "prepare". Once there she looks around, if it is clear she gives them the go, walks to the backdoor and waits until she hears the car, then opens the door, grabs one stun baton, and then it is on. And before doing so she would drop focus for Aspect of Elegance to cast Personal Shielding Field, AoE would be up for 4h after dropping focus. But I guess you just wanted the general direction. ) (edited)

(Yeah general direction would be good. Or was that what you gave )

(Yes. But you know what, I can type that out better.) Nora orders her servant to park a bit further away, so they won't be seen immediately and don't arise suspicion. "When I call you, you'll drive the Van to the backdoor of the Crimson Caravaneer. Then wait for the others to return." Then she leaves the car, doing so alone, without her servant opening the door. She steps into the night. Neon light reflects from the rain kissed pavement. The night is busy, some of those who she passes by might be on their way to watch her show. It was just a short walk from the car, parked in a side street to the main entrance of the club. Inside the club she can hear the bass and familiar rhythm of the techno songs that the house DJ plays. She waves towards him, should he be looking, then airs a kiss towards the bartender. Nora makes a motion that looks like powdering her face, then points at the "Staff Only"-Area before entering said area and walking towards the dressing room. The large mirror had been her focal point before, and now, while she gets ready, it is the thing she stands in front of again. She likes what she sees, and there isn't even the slightest sign of nervousness on her face. With the snap of her fingers she drops her focus, but still retains the look created by her spell. She brings her violin to her jaw, and plays the same three arpeggios that she played just a few nights ago. After the bow touches the last string, she feels infused by protective powers. (Casting Personal Shielding Field and maintaining low focus to keep it up. Now Nora is out of spells for the night. Aspect of Elegance will last for 4 more hours and Personal Shielding Field will last while low focus is kept and then 2 hours afterwards.) She is prepared. She knows what songs she wants to play. Her servant was instructed. Nothing could go wrong. With that thought in her head she leaves the dressing room and looks around to see if anyone is in the corridor.

No one is present, but you can see that someone was here a moment ago making sure everything was right. The smell in the air has the same perfume Aquillon's human play thing was using, and perhaps she was here ensuring everything was perfect for you. She seemed an attentive thing. Frail, but attentive.

Her perfume was an excellent choice, harmonizing so immensely with the scent of her blood. Her blood. Nora remembers the smell as if she had just smelled it seconds ago, not days ago. The different smells of blood are to her nose what exquisite music is to her ears, a real treat. It would be a pity if the plaything came to serious harm, it would be a good gift, for Nora herself, or Octavian or one of her siblings, to make them more dependent or thankful. But in the end, she was just a mortal and Aquillon was the target. If she proved to be a problem, her life was forfeit. And Nora had tapped into two possible sources of delicious pleasure with the bartender and the DJ. And one will flow like a fountain of life after a successful evening. She sends a message to her servant to give him the go. With the violin in her left hand, she walks to the back door, waits to hear the car arrive, and then opens the door.

You can hear them pull up, and the door is thrown open for them to make their way off to whatever destination you need.

7:55 AM

The energy of the crowd outside is building

"How to better start Part Three, The Show, than to beat a problematic member of her kind senseless? There actually are some better ways, but it is indeed a good start." With her siblings inside, she points in the direction of Aquillon's office. "Knock him out, if mortals are present..." she pauses. "Do as you please with them. Once it is done, take him with you, your driver will know where to go next." Nora doesn't fully trust her siblings to succeed. So she grabs one of the spare Stun Batons, with the Aspect of Elegance spell at work, nothing should be able to destroy her looks, should something actually get to hit her. And as she is an artist and not some simple mook with a club, she walks last. Four on one, shouldn't be any problem anyway. So her swinging the Baton like an amateur, shouldn't matter.

(Just so i am following, we're going right to his office?)

(yes. Storm his office, knock him out, bring him to the garage while Nora texts Octavian. Then she plays her show which in fact is multi layered. Although the more intense second part is only for those watching from the garage)

The group of you moves with you to the office. The door is closed and you can hear typing on the other side. They have noticed the door alarm going off just now back there. It is silent from here, but Aquillon must have something on his computer monitor

"Hurry, we can't take forever! Can't keep my fans waiting, neither of them!" She orders, pointing at the door. Every word sounds like she knows how to do it, when all she knows is how to play the violin, beautifully or deadly.

12:03 PM

(I am assuming that she doesn't know that Aquillon has a warning through the silent alarm.)

The door slams open, the mighty kick sending it sailing into the room and smashing the computer. Aquillon and his human pet were clearly in the middle of something not for the public to see, and they both narrowly avoid being smashed by the door. Your siblings descend on the both of them before the chaos has time to resolve itself, bagging them and trundling them down the steps as they are to the waiting vehicle

Nora can't suppress a smile. Everything went according to her plan, yet. She takes out her Compad and writes a message to Octavian.

Octavian, come quickly to the following address (address of the garage), there you will experience a show that you will not forget so quickly. Will you be there in half an hour or three quarters of an hour?

He responds he can do three quarters of one as he is on the south side of the city right now supervising another project. He understands this is the culmination of something he’s asked you to do and will be there as soon as possible

Perfect. Bring sunglasses. Now it was time to bathe in the attention and praise she deserves. Another fifteen minutes pass until she leaves the "Staff Only"-Area. The DJ seems to be at work, the bass can be felt and people move to the rhythm. Some may be even waiting for her concert to start, others might just want to have some fun. Walking through the mortals makes her feel like a wolf in sheep's clothing. And they will be where they should be. Standing below her, cheering her on, celebrating her music and her endless talent. And subconsciously accepting the truth, that Nora's kind is the superior species on Tece. Even if some mortals can be quite likeable, they still are just that, mortal. She waves at the bartender, and sends her a flirtatious smile. But still, behind Nora's made and innocent facade is nothing less than a predator. She almost reaches the small stage when she checks her watch. Twenty-five minutes until Octavian arrives at the garage. She could play a good hour of different sounding songs. She could do more, but that might lead to a sub par result, as most people here wouldn't recognize the fine differences in skill that certain songs need. They need to have it in their faces. So an hour was good. And more than enough for her multilayered "Concert to die for". She finally gets to the DJ and greets him with a smile. "Hey, don't set the bar too high already!" She laughs. "Are we ready? Oh..." She hands him her compad with some kind of video mode on. "...and could you film me? It will stream the concert so some of my friends and family could watch me play as well?"

"I'm ready. Give me a list of network addresses you want the stream to go to, and five minutes. I'll get everything set up for you"

"Just one." She says with an amused expression on her face. "One address is enough to reach them all. Thanks." Five minutes. Enough time to already let the stage and everything sink in, check the violin one last time and wait for her to get the go.

You are notified the stream is ready.

Nora breathes out and in again. Like a metronome, in a steady beat. The DJ's playlist fades out. Silence. She waits, extends the silence until just before the moment when the audience gets impatient and starts whispering. She brings the violin into position and strokes the strings so delicately with the bow that the resulting tones are almost like a whisper. For her it was like the beginning of the night, when her day begins. For the mortals it was more like the morning. The first song remains a tender temptation and a promise of what the other songs will bring. The other pieces reflect her skill, so differently do they sound while showing great variation in the techniques she uses. Song after song becomes more and more danceable, it becomes more and more intense. She herself begins to dance to her music. At some point the stage is no longer enough for her and she dances in the crowd. Her unnatural reflexes ensure that her playing is not affected by this. She wants to carry them all with her, into trancelike dancing to the perfect melody. Her watch vibrates. It was time. After the fourth song she goes back on stage. "This song is for a very special person." She winks at the camera, which is not far from the bar. In this way, two people should feel addressed, Octavian and the bartender. Even the DJ could feel addressed. While she plays a brilliant epic song, the second level of her show begins in the garage. She hopes that Octavian is present to witness it. So far in the garage, the stream of the performance has been the absolute focus, you can't see anything else because the rest lies in darkness. At the climax of the fifth song, however, daylight and UV lamps come on, aimed at Aquillon. Without reasonable protection, the result is clear. The agonizing end of his existence, staged as a show to Nora's music.

2:32 PM

As she finishes the last song, she looks into the crowd, hoping for applause, especially from the one who wasn't there just then, Octavian. Maybe he also felt a little fear, which would please her as well.

(3xp, 5000 credits) Aquillon is dead, a pile of ash fallen from a blackened skeleton now. A few smaller ash fires are quickly stomped out by the human servants, as Octavian looks on with cold appreciation. The work has been done. The work has been clean, and was mostly complete. THe human Aquillon consorted with is not his concern, and without a word he departs from the warehouse. Welcome to the family. Attend me tomorrow night. Well done.. The message flashes on Nora's screen, but she does not hear the notification over the roar of a crowd so enthralled they are fanatical for more music

Nora does indeed not realize that she receives a message from Octavian. Simply for the reason that she lets herself be celebrated by the masses. She bathes in applause. After a short break she gives a short encore before she ends the concert and goes to the bar. To the bartender. "You liked it?" (I'll level up at an appropriate moment)

"It was the most amazing thing I have seen in my entire life. YOU are the most amazing thing I have seen in my entire life.

"You don't say." She leans forward, closer to the bartender to whisper in her ear. "How long do you have to work? We could go to my place and you could get to know me even better."

She throws the rag down, and waves over one of the bartenders, telling him to cover for her, she needs to leave early

"Great decision." "You won't needs to work here again anyway." Nora calls a Taxi, a real one, not one of her servants. Although it is a Taxi company run by a vampire, their drivers know when to look away. Nora tells the driver where to go. She doesn't give her new plaything, or one time fun, the address she rather wants to see her reaction once they are there. A smile can be seen when she reads the message of Octavian. "I am already part of a Vamily, I will always be an Immortal. But for now I know what to do to keep existing" Thank you, Octavian. I will be there. Once the Taxi arrives at the Orleanu Mansion she looks her own personal gift that sits beside her. "We are there. Wanna come in?"

She is beginning to understand what is happening. The slow witted never survive as more than food, and in this make or break moment, she swallows whatever lump of fear had been building in her throat, and plants her feet. "Yes. I do want to come in, Mistress"

"No fight? Well, that means less of a mess, which is good." Nora leans over to her, gently pushing her new servant into the seat. Nora pets her face before approaching her neck. The sweet pulsing blood in her veins, is incredibly present in Nora's nose. Reflexively, her teeth extend. They are sharp and pointed. They carve the skin with ease. Even though the injury is only very light and very superficial, some blood escapes, small droplets form after a short time. Eagerly and sensually at the same time, Nora runs her tongue over the wound. Her saliva ensures that this small tear stops bleeding. But the sweet taste will remain in Nora's mouth for a while. "Perfect." She whispers into the ex-Bartender's ear, before the staff of the House Orleanu arrives and opens the car doors. Nora's door is opened by her servant, who gets greeted by a smile as a thanks for his well done job this night. "Take her to my chambers. There is still another conversation to be had. After you brought her to my chambers, wait for me in the dining room. Understood?" (edited)

They understand, and comply with the orders you have given them. There is a frantic energy to their steps, as they sense that the mood of the house is changing.

Nora leaves for the Mansion and once inside she goes to one small study room. A cabinet, a large desk with a heavy chair. Some speakers are carefully hidden in the walls as well, Nora activates them with her compad to play some piano solo. She turns it a bit louder, so a passerby would have a hard time to understand what she was talking. She sits down and looks at her compad. Nora hesitates but in the end dials the frequency of the Elder of house Orleanu. Not knowing if he would pick up or not. Not even knowing where he was right now.

The message goes directly to his voice message box. There is no ring. The transfer to messages is immediate and direct.

Nora sighs. She knows she can't openly speak to a message box. Nobody knows who has access to that. "Good Night, Elder. I'll send you a video file. You should watch it. If you ever feel like talking, you know where to find me. House Orleanu feels different. But different is not necessarily the end of our aspirations." Her voice sounds proud, mostly during the last sentence. She hangs up, stops the music and leaves the room. There was still some night left, and now there was a wish to be granted. Or at least a wish to be listened to. With that in mind, Nora walks towards the dinning room.

(what was supposed to happen? I am now lost)

(her servant, the one she went to the garage with, with the sad story, the one was driving the Van during the kidnapping, he was granted a wish by Nora. So she wants to hear what it is. If she accepts or denies it, that is on another page tho.)

(Right!!)

9:34 AM

He is waiting there in the dining room. As he was given time to be off duty it looks like he is hard at work writing something. Dozens of pieces of paper litter the table. Each of them has a curving S shape on it. You watch for a moment as he opens his eyes, and in one solid movement writes the letter agan, before looking up realizing you are standing there

Nora frowns, unsure what exactly the servant is writing. "So, do you have problems finding the right words? I am here to hear you wish. I promised it, and we had a great night. So, tell me. What is it you desire?"

"Oh, this? You don't want to hear about this. You would not be interested." He begins gathering up the papers. "I want to be free. I want to go East to the Protectorate, and try to make something out of the days I have left with my life. Tece is the place where I lost my home, my family, and then my freedom. I want to put it all behind me, and wake up with the sunrise. Actual, true sunrise"

Without a warning, she launches herself forward. She throws herself into him and doesn't have much problem pinning him to the ground. Her knees on his thighs, while her hands squeeze his upper arm. He can't move and has to look up, into the face of a beast. An unhappy beast. One that is out for blood. She rams her teeth into his neck and starts to suck, quickly, not as gently as usually. His veins must be burning. She stops for a moment to whisper. "You know what you just said there. You want to turn your back on House Orleanu, on me. You have served me and now you want to leave? You talk about freedom, you got to serve me, there can't be a better feeling. And no one wants to see the sunrise, unless they want to die. You know there is only one punishment for that." Her teeth sink back into his neck, and she sucks more blood than she normally would. More blood than what would be good for him. But before she reaches the "too much" spot, she stops and gets up. "I should kill you. Your wish is a disgrace. But you served me well and I told you I would grant you a wish. I will never understand you mortals. Go, Go wherever you want. Die in the Protectorate. You will never feel as alive and needed again, as in this House." She gets up and moves to the door. She grabs something in a back pocket of hers and throws it to the servant on the floor. It is a cred stick, with 25000 credits on it. "Payment for your work, minus the compensation for the affront of you turning your back on us. Be gone in a week. You don't need to work anymore, from now on. So mortal, tell me, what is this letter for?" She asks that last question pretty casually, pretty different to the wild beast that jumped the servant before.

"It is a meditation practice. When I was a boy, the woman who led our gang was from a culture where they prized relaxation, opening the mind, and above all, the consummate art of hunting. She believed that each movement must be exact and perfect. Any waste is a lack of poise, professionalism, and skill. To practice, she would attempt to draw characters or letters as you'd call them, from her former language in one swift stroke, constantly striving to get the most perfect and true expression of the meditative concept it represented. After we were raided the first time many of the younger of our gang, mine included, were having trouble sleeping. We saw things people our age were never meant to see. She explained what she was doing, and we began to all meditate in this way. It is something I carried into my adult life. I have only managed to perfect two letters after thousands of attempts. The end result is the same. A sharpening of the mind and better control over the body. I expect doing this with incense, perfume, candles, and low music will enhance the effect, but we as servants are not permitted to have those things. "

Nora is somewhat impressed for a few seconds. "There is a reason why I chose you as my servant, and why you lived for so long. You served me well. I wish you luck. I really do." She jumps towards him again. But this time it is not the beast. For once, she pays a mortal a little respect. A mortal who served her well. Instead of biting him, she kisses him. Shortly. Followed by a short smile. "Good luck. Never forget where you come from, and that you were a proud servant of House Orleanu. Will the credits be enough?"

"You should try it" he says, gesturing to the left behind papers on the table. "I guess I can tell you that now since I am no longer a servant. Your stage movements tell me you would find this kind of thought clearing exercise very relaxing and useful. Your gift is most generous, Mistress Orlieanu. "

The moment of positive affection ends as fast as it arrived. He deserved that kiss, as a gesture of thankfulness. But he was just a mortal, he shouldn't think about what she could or could not like, as he is far below her. "That may be, but you shouldn't care. In a week, you're gone, or else you will never see the sunrise you so desire." Now she turns away and leaves. She gave him a week, but fully expects him to be gone faster. He was no servant anymore. So he wasn't safe in the Mansion anymore, at least as soon as the word would spread. Now she turned to something new, one servant gone, the next one waiting in her room. That is the thing with mortals, they come and go so quickly and it is like shopping with them, you get what you like at a certain moment, and if the interest changes, one throws them away. Unless they do something that makes her feel attached to them, like mortals would be attached to a hamster, or a dog. But different. She swiftly opens the door to her rooms. Some rest of the night was still left. She had more than enough blood already, even if that is actually not possible. But the woman in her room might be a good servant for the near future. "So you waited, good. What do you think is going to happen now? You surely heard some stories." She says with a smile on her face between nice and sinister.

“What I think is going to happen is probably not what reality is going to be. I’m content to wait for you to show me”

The smile on Nora's face persists, her new chosen Servant was, obedient. But they all struggle from time to time, especially early on. So they developed some protocol. She always calls it "How to tame a Mortal". Of course she could just drink some and let her go. But that was dangerous, for her, her House, and her kind. And with a servant leaving, something she never allowed any servant to do before, she needs a replacement. She walks forward to her new servant and fishes the compad out of her bag, just to put it on a device that seems to copy something onto another compad. With that other compad and a beautiful bronze wristband, she return to her servant. "See, your old life is gone. Your new life has begun. You are my servant now, and as thus are a servant of House Orleanu. You surely have some questions. All of your kind have when they are chosen to serve. But as a start, this is your new compad. It is like your old one, but whatever you do will be transmitted to some AI thingy first. So if you want to message your family or something, yeah you can do, but the AI will check anything first, just to make sure you don't say things you shouldn't. The only things not filtered are messages to other members of the family. This family here, the members of House Orleanu." Nora then puts the wristband onto her servant's wrist. "This is like a tracker. Just so we know where you are. So there is no running away. Some of your kind need some time to really arrive in their new role. So we operate with the two strikes system. First mistake, will be answered with a warning. The second with some punishment and the third. Well. You shouldn't find out. Do you have any questions before I continue to the more, symphonic part of the night?" (edited)

“I think I understand all that. I don’t have a dad. My mom@doesn’t have long left for this world. I shouldn’t need to contact too many people

9:44 AM

“Work will just think I quit. “

Nora giggles a bit from amusement. "Don't you worry. Your former e mployer won't miss you. He..., he quit. Now you are here to serve. The better you do that, the better your life will be. The rest of tonight and the following day, you stay with me. Tomorrow night you'll get a room prepared and proper clothing. Maybe some French maid dress? We will see. But now.. " Her fangs extend. "Now I am going to fully taste you, and have some fun." Her eyes turn blood red as she takes her servants hand to lead her to the bed. The shutters close and Nora enjoys the rest of the night with her plaything. An exciting night of blood, appraisal and the end of an existence finds its end. (edited)

Level UP! 2->3
AB 0----> 0 (I almost feel the 1 approaching)
Old HP 8
Rolls (1+5+2)+3=11
New HP 11

3 Skill Points
Raising Int 16->18 (3SP 2/5 Attribute raises used)

Spellproficiency 1->2

New Spell Slots: +1 LvL 2 Slot

New Spells!

Don't do that! (Aversive Impulse Projection Level 2)
Now you see me, now you don't! (Blindside Skip Level 2)

The night was a pleasant experience for Nora, and it seemed like the same for her new servant. Although she could smell and taste the fear of her. Her name was Caro, or Carolin. At least if Nora remembered correctly. She doesn't put much effort into really remembering those, as mortals usually only serve for a few decades. But Nora sometimes feels like her servants want to be called by their name instead of their position. But usually that stops after a few years. After getting ready for the night, both of them. Nora orders her servant to drive her to the Mansion of House Orniferous. So she can meet up with Octavian.

The house shutters retract and you’re up and dressed before long. After a light breakfast Youre taken by car across town to the estate. Human security staff and a few dogs are on patrol of the grounds. Two of the windows on the front of the house have been broken and it looks like a small fire had been set inside. Security screens you both for a moment and then relaxes upon realizing you had an appointment. You’re taken up to the side door of the home where you’re brought inside and asked to wait. You can still smell smoke in the air. It is faint but present.

There is not much that can scare Nora. But the dawn and fire are things that still send a shiver down her spine, and after all this time awaken her instinct to flee. Ocatvian may be powerful and threaten the existence of even an immortal like her, but she is not afraid of him. However, the uneasiness she is feeling right now makes her uncomfortable. She turns to Caro. Caro, it had been several hours since she had heard her name, and she could still remember it, but this was no reason to show that to her new servant. "Go outside. Park the car in front of the door. Keep the engine running. If any of the security with their yappers tries to send you away, tell them I'll be out there faster to rip their throats out than they'll manage to open your door." Nora doesn't expect an answer, for her servant this was all new territory, but she had a relaxed way of driving, which Nora liked. The violinist waits to be called by Octavian, maybe then she would learn what had happened here.

You can hear tools working in other parts of the house, before a robed servant comes out from the rear of the large estate, beckoning you to follow. "Master Octavian will see you now"

Nora just nods. She doesn't talk to Octavian's servant. There was just no reason to do so. She walks at his side, her quick reflexes make following him while walking besides him, pretty easy. And that way she doesn't need to follow a mortal for no good reason. Once they reached their destination, Nora stops, waiting to be called in by Octavian himself. One simply can't trust the work of a mortal, who knows if he misunderstood his master and Nora interrupts Octavian in a bad situation. So she knocks, twice.

He waves to the servant and the frosted glass door to his back patio opens. The estate is built in such a way that there is an open square in the middle. A large garden existed here once. Some elements of it like the gazebo and some of the tall shurbs remain. A newly planted patch of flowers along the north side is also growing and looks to be in good health. They're distractions from the main event, where four humans have been rounded up and are being nailed to crosses. One of them is up already in the middle of the garden and the figure on it has stopped screaming- now unconscious from the shock of the ordeal. Crossbows, leather armor , silver stakes, and other trappings commonly associated with hunters are lying about the patio. You can see some more modern takes on some of it like the UV lighting, and a mag thrower which had its ammunition cast from silver instead.

11:47 AM

Octavian is about to speak when one of the mortals screams. The jailers take a moment from working on his remaining free hand to muzzle the hunter with a rag before resuming their work.

Nora nods upon entering. Then has a despicable look on her face when she sees the art installation that Octavian put up. The look fades to a fake smile rather quickly. "Greetings, Octavian. I see you put up a show as well. And here I am thinking you wanted me here to congratulate me in person." The fake smile persists. "Am I allowed to speak freely?"

"Of course. You have done me a great service and ceremony between us just complicates passing accurate information between us. "

She laughs. A laugh as real as ketchup is real blood. "I don't know what you do there. But are mortals really worth this?" She points at the hunters. "Slit their throats, fill a small fountain with their blood. But this? So much work for worthless mortals? I don't know." She steps forward, closer to Octavian. "Are they the reason for the odor and damage in your mansion?"

"They are. Vampire Hunters, and they've been watching for some time it seems like. They knew how to get in. They killed the elder of your home, along with two of my most senior lieutenants before I was able to stop their rampage. "

Nora just stands there, in shock. Not much catches her in surprise after centuries of existence. But that, that was more than she could stomach right now. The Elder of House Orleanu, gone. His immortality, over. He was the one how embraced her, who led her into the secret society that rules from the darkness. Her eyes turn blood-red, bloody tears run down her cheeks. Her fangs extend, and bestial anger can be seen on her face. If this was true, these mortals ended the existence of her father figure, even if that might be a bit strong worded for what their relationship actually was. They don't deserve to be put on the cross. They deserve to be ripped apart, and then their families, their friends, all they knew. They will all die. "I am going to rip their throats out, I will tear them apart!" These words come out almost pressed. Nora, normally with such an elegance and etiquette, turns into the beast they all are. But she knows this is not her house, so she gives Octavian a split second to stop her, before she turns those hunters into bloody mush.

"You may have...one..to sate your anger. The rest are going to be an example. I have other plans for them"

Nora doesn't even listen til the end. She starts launching towards them when Octavian says "You may have". She still hears the number "one" when she was already half way there. The rest gets numbed down, by her rage and her inner beast wanting revenge, wanting them dead. All of them. Restrained like they were, they couldn't even defend themselves, so she jumps at the first one, the cross creaking from the sudden extra weight. She darts directly at the first ones throat, her teeth sink in and blood flows into her mouth, but she is there to drink him dry, instead she bites harder and with her unnatural strength rips out his throat, just to spit it out onto the ground. With her legs she clings to the hunter and the cross. Blood runs out of her mouth and onto her clothes. Blood is getting everywhere once she starts punching his face, relentlessly until one could no longer call it that way. He was dead already, but that doesn't make her stop punching him. She turns to both sides, looking at the other hunters. Her eyes are still filled with rage and bloodlust. For all those times that she has herself under perfect control and acts like an artist, this right now is her true inner beast. A monster, like all of her kind are, one way or another. "Look at him, this is how you end as well, you killed my father, my Elder. You all will die, and your families and anyone you ever knew, will die!" She jumps down from the cross leaving the dead one behind. She runs at the next one, jumps up and sinks her teeth deeply into his neck. There is no sensuality in it, like when she does it with a servant or someone else. She violently sucks the blood out of his veins. Ready to drink him empty, unless stopped, or being called back by somebody else.

You can sense Octavian's simmering anger, but it quickly vanishes as though he has turned off a switch. He waves a hand to his retainers warding them back and not to interfere with this letting of rage. "She's lost someone" he says to them. "She deserves to vent her rage. She is family now after all"

8:24 AM

This explanation is enough for them

The sucking goes on, the hunter goes limp. Then dies at some point. Nora takes all the blood she can get out of him. The area around her mouth is smeared with the blood of her victims. Blood runs out of the corners of her mouth when she lets loose of her second victim. She stares at the other two, like they are prey, or worse, just a pest. She licks her lips and slowly regains her lost composure. She takes a handkerchief and tries to clean her clothing, but blood got everywhere, and one wipe won't change that. Nora walks towards one of the remaining two Hunters and punches him into his stomach, but tries to not severely hurt him. That done, she returns to Octavian. "You wanted to keep one, you said, right Octavian? I left two alive." She doesn't even try to cover this blatant lie. It is obvious that she wanted to kill those two and knew that was one too many.

He waves a hand. The matter is closed and not something he is going to make larger than it is. That comes dangerously close to caring about the affairs of mortals. "They knew how to hurt us in our own home. your visit here tonight has two purposes. One, was informing you that you are now master of the house- our affiliate of course- but that was going to happen with or without your elder in the picture. The second, is news of these hunters. Someone is talking. Someone is helping them get organized and telling them how to hurt us. "

"So you want to find out who that is while also getting rid of the hunters. I do have an idea for that. A big show. I might need some things from you, but I would call you again for that. As a start, I would need their equipment, or at least some of it. Would that be possible, Octavian?"

"My own people are going to be looking into this as well. What would you say to a split?"

Nora smiles. "Octavian, do I even have a choice in there? But I accept that. I will surely come up with another great show. I have just the right idea on how to do that. But I will need some preparations. A favor or two could greatly help me. The garage where you experienced my show. And saw the end of Aquillon. Do you think you could acquire that, under some fake name? It would once again be a perfect stage for a show."

"I remember the address. That should not be too hard. You said you had two favors, what was the other?"

Nora smiles. "A potent neuro toxin. Preferably one that doesn't hurt our kind, but I could also try to not inhale it. I mean this would be optional, I could also work with the usual violence, but, you know, gun shots make it hard to play a melody."

"Something to stun? or something to kill? I am sure I could find someone to synthesize either"

"I have no use for those affected by it. So something to kill would be ideal. Something to be vaporized, that doesn't smell. Something quickly killing would be great, but even if it doesn't it will do what is needed."

He thinks for a moment. "I can give you a name, and you'll be there on the authority of the House. You're going to have to pay them the visit yourself though. Page, he brews a lot of the party drugs for my clubs. He's a brilliant chemist wasting his talents with diversions and party favors. Maybe your visit will be a good thing- getting him actually doing something greater to benefit the house for a change."

Nora nods. "Of course, Octavian. I can take care of that myself." She hands him a small notebook, filled with random musical notes and small drawings that show her mediocre drawing talent. She opens and empty page and hands Octavian a pencil. "If you could write down the address, I will pay him a visit tomorrow night. I won't disappoint and will find out who the mole is, and I will make sure that the number of hunters here in Neo-Night City will be decimated, in style. You can expect a link to a stream when the time is right."

"I'd like your opinion on something" he says as he writes down the address, and sketches the route he uses through the back alleys to avoid the traps and security measures he has in place around his lab

10:13 AM

"We're trying to get some of the lesser houses in line. Not all of them are going to be as reasonable as you with words alone. When the time comes for the stream, I'd like to broadcast it across the city to the other heads of the families. There is going to come a day where one of your broadcasts reaches every single person on this planet but we have things to put in order first."

"While I do appreciate that, please only transmit it when I say the material will be good, and don't tell them in advance. I don't want anybody to know that something big is going to happen. Nobody. I know that I might just be a figure in your plan, but in chess you loose if you loose too many of your soldiers recklessly. " Nora gets ready to leave. "As for acting reasonable, I was useful and I wanted to continue my immortality. Others of House Orleanu were worthless, their loss didn't hurt, but don't say you came with words alone, Octavian. With the death of the Elder of House Orleanu, that name no longer exists. I'll call myself the leader of my house now, Elder of three subordinate Immortals, and a dozen servants. The death of my father brings the end to the name Orleanu. We will be House Racovitza from now on. And in your service, Octavian. Don't trick us if you want to reach whatever you want to reach. You have seen a great show, you need more of those, same as we need your trust. I will keep you up to date, Octavian. Is there anything else you need me for?" She asks while making a curtsey.

"That is all. Thank you for attending when asked. I will look forward to conitnued dealings with house Racovitza"

Nora nods. "I will keep you up to date, Octavian." Nora knew that her siblings might not like the change, but they could follow her, or leave and die on their own. She would prefer them staying, because a house of only her and her mortal servants wouldn't really be a vampire house. And with her former Elder dead, there was no need for any revenge. House Orleanu didn't need to set things straight. It was gone. And Eleonora Racovitza will make sure that her house produces the biggest shows, shows nobody forgets. She leaves Octavian's Mansion with blood still all over her, and then enters the running car. She turns towards Caro. "An unexpected turn of events, would you be so kind to drive around the city. I need to return home, but make it the longest possible route back. I need time to think. What are you waiting for? Get going!"

You’re returned home by the longest route possible and the servant remains quiet for the duration of the drive

Nora turns to her servant. "Once the car is parked, you will open my door and help me out. Once that is done, go to the Dining Room, we will all assemble there. Oh, and mix me some cocktail. I want to taste something new, or a classic, surprise me." While waiting for the car to be parked, Nora sends a message to all members of the house. Meet me in the Dining Room, we need to talk. Now Nora waits for the pleasant feeling of superiority that being served by a servant gives her. But she also feels that without being served, any mortal stands below her. Yet they need them to survive and need them to be in the dark about the existence of Nora's kind. A wasp can't do any bigger harm. But if they outnumber you 10000 to one, you won't want them to go on a collective hunt against you. And she will make sure that some of the more aggressive wasps, will die. She leans back in her seat, smiling.

As you enter the home things are quiet in the reaches of the house you can hear. The dining room however seems to be quite busy. Cora hands you the cocktail just before you are about to hit the dining room doors, and does her best to remain unobtrusive and out of the way until you have further need. Her role in the service industry and her personality itself make her a natural fit for this role and she is acclimatizating better than house servants in the past have done.

Nora nods towards Cora. Someone with sweet blood, a natural talent as a servant and the ability to mix some cocktails, she was a good choice, for now. Her face remains neutral as she opens the wooden door to the Dinning Room. She sips at her cocktail while she looks around if all servants and the three Immortals were present.

Everyone is present aside from one servant, who you'd seen keeping watch on the door since the entire rest of the house would be unaware of something happening without a lookout

Nora takes a chair and drags it to a position where she has all in front of her. Then sits down. "I have visited Octavian tonight. His house was under attack. Hunters slipped through their security and, among others, killed the Elder of House Orleanu. With his death, House Orleanu is no more. But, Octavian and I decided to rename us, from House Orleanu to House Racovitza. I am your Elder now." That said she looks at them all, trying to gauge how they stomach all that. And how they feel about her as the leader.

Nora as leader of the house has been the de-facto way of business for the last week or so. Speaking with Octavian's authority- any outright displays of defiance now is a quick way to end up crucified next to the hunters in his garden and for now no one has any objections. All they need right now, is orders

Nora smiles. "Good." She looks at the three vampires. "You three, the garage, where you brought Aquillon to, it needs a redesign. Make it look like a small, illegal arms dealer shop. And get some bullet- and UV-proof glass, so the clerk won't run into any unwanted situations. Additionally, one of you can pay Octavian a visit tomorrow. His servants will hand out some equipment. Hunter equipment. I need reproductions of these. Enough so it can be sold to twenty or more people. If you run into any problems, call me, I will make sure to get rid of those. Any questions?"

"We making a war wagon, Mistress?"

"What? No. We will deal arms and ammunition. To certain people. The we will have a big show. A show so, intense, that some won't be able to party to the end. So no war wagon. Just an arms dealer. I hope that is now somewhat clearer now. The garage as a location has other reasons. Reasons you don't need to think about, but will understand in the end."

There aren't any other questions, its left to the three of them it seems to try to coordinate and piece things together as best they can

"If you run into any problems, tell me. But it should really just be turning that garage into an arms dealer shop, with some super protective glass. Well that and reproducing the equipment the hunters used. Well, you three are dismissed, I expect reports, but please don't disturb me while I am playing my violin. To anyone, we need to be more cautious. I don't want to see our house under attack. All but those servants of the house that were present at the garage, are dismissed." She waits for all of those to leave and turns to the remaining servants. "I know at least one of you has filmed Aquillon meeting an artificial dawn. I want that video." She puts a thumb drive on the table. "Put the file on here. You can step forward and do it now, or we make it anonymous and the file magically appears on there by tomorrow night." She waits to see if any servant makes a move.

They were asked to make the video, and the one who was asked to use their compad for it puts it on the table for your inspection. T

Nora copies the file over to her own compad. "You can leave now. Make sure to double our security. I don't think we are a target but I don't want to risk it." She then gets up and into her chambers, playing violin for a while and working on her plan. Alone. She had enough blood to last her for a few days, so there was no need to taste another servant. The next night starts with preparing the same spells as the day before and then orders Cora to drive her to the chemist. Before leaving she turns to her new servant. "Don't park here. Park somewhere else, or keep driving. Some of your fellow mortals are a bit too aggressive right now, and I wouldn't want to loose you, understand?" "The loss of that sweet blood of hers would be a tragedy."

“I’ll keep driving Mistress Nora. I thought maybe I’d pass by my old home, just to see if the lights are still on”

Nora frowns "Why? You have a new home now. The life of your kind is so short already, so you better don't waste to much energy for the past. You know your movement and compad activities are monitored. So, don't do anything stupid, don't disappoint me." She is quiet for a moment. "Keep driving when I am out of the car. Be back fast when I call you, I don't want to look like one of the cheap ladies, waiting for a customer. This is all. You choose your route, wherever that may lead you." She is quiet again to wait for a reaction.

She nods an agreement with that you said, and waits did you go exit the car

Nora looks at her notebook and the sketches Octavian made. Once she has any traps memorized, she gets out of the car and makes her way towards the back entrance of the chemists hideout.

(notice/wis)

(3, well a violinist in a minefield)

You know where the traps are that Octavian knew about but there’s evidently one he didn’t, as the bottom stair of the walkway up tilts forward slightly and a beam of UV light narrowly spears into your arm on a tight focus (3 damage)

Nora shrieks a bit when the UV hits her skin, burning her magnificent pale skin. The shriek is followed by some random curses. She would finish the last steps carefully before hammering against the door. "Open up, mortal!"

The door does not open. You do not hear anything happening inside.

Nora gets closer to the door. Looks around to make sure nobody is looking at her. If that is the case, she would knock again and say a bit more politely but not less despicably. “Octavian sends me, so would you mind and open this door?” ”I’ll kick his door in if he leaves me standing here. He can’t be gone, can he?”

There is still nothing from inside. You can hear some kind of fan running, but otherwise there is no sound

Before forcing the door open, she checks if it is locked or not. "Seems like Octavian's mortal personnel is not the best, it seems."

The door is locked but only by a door chain. The actual mechanical lock on the knob is not engaged

Nora looks dourly at the door. The use of physical force is actually below her level. But she would take this servant of Octavian's to task. Making her wait here, his traps. She needed him, but she wouldn't show him that. The mortal had now ruined that for himself. She looked around, and if there was no one to be seen, she would try to kick the door open, with the chain taut.

(exert/str)

(5)

The door rattles on its chains and shifts slightly but there isn't enough clearance made to allow you to get through. You do get a whiff of advanced decay from within.

Nora turns her head away, in disgust. A curse leaves her lips as she gets her compad out to type out two quick messages.

Octavian, I am about to visit your poison mixing mortal. But I guess he is dead, the odor from his laboratory is disgusting. I will still find a way in, but you should think about sending some of your personnel to clean up the mess. If there is a mess, but still.

Caro, be here ASAP, bring the jack and some gloves. Don't let me wait. She hits send, then curses again. "Damn it, I shouldn't call her by her name. It ruins the distant relationship. But I need to get in, and someone needs to get their hands dirty." To prevent herself getting dirty, she plays one of her new magically infused songs. (casting Aspect of Elegance, maintaining Low Focus)

The car parks just outside at the end of the alley and she emerges, tools in hand.

9:51 AM

She gets a whiff of the smell on the air and you can see her face blanch a bit at the situation, but she chokes down her misgivings and continues on

"Don't you faint! And don't you puke at me!" Nora looks angrily as she grabs the gloves out of Caro's hands. She puts them on, and with the car's jack she tries to do what she couldn't do herself, which is opening the door. At least open it wide enough to get in. "You mortals. You think a fine lady like me should walk through smell like that? No! But I do, because sometimes one has to, and your kind always acts so weakly. If I get this door open, I'll go in. If I call for you, you follow!" She turns to the jack trying to get the door open.

The chain breaks after a few winds of the mechanical jack and you're greeted with a lab that has been utterly destroyed. Octavian's man has been nailed to the wall with silver spikes through his wrists. It looks like he was tortured while he was hanging there before dying. Other techs have been killed and left where they fell, this was done with mortal weapons- projectiles and then stabs to the heart and brain once they were felled. Most of the machinery and scientific equipment has been destroyed. Someone had tried to set fire to the place but it did not take- for whatever reason they left or moved on before making another attempt.

Nora looks at the scene. "What a loss, these mortals fight themselves and kill themselves, instead of enjoying their short monotonous lives." She wonders why the murderers ran away. But at first, a certain someone needed to see this. She turns to Cora. "Come here! Look at this!" * She watches and looks at her reaction.*

She looks around, and runs back outside for a second to get sick. You've told her not to, but your commands cannot over-ride her body's natural functions it seems. On closer examination, the body on the wall seems to have a rag stuffed in its mouth, but something else is trailing out of it too

She notes that but before further examining it, uses the scene for something else. She turns to Cora. "See, those monsters who did this, are of your kind. They call themselves hunters, they think they protect your kind from us. Yet they murder their own kind like beasts, for no good reasons. They would do that to you too, just because you choose me instead of the mundane useless existence you had before. This here is why they need to be destroyed, to protect my kind, and by doing so protect yours as well. Do you agree, servant?"

“What’s good for you is good for me Mistress Nora. I am sorry for the weakness of my body. “

"It is not you, it is your kind. There was a time when some of your kind wanted to find us, wanted to find out if the rumors are true. Not to hunt us, but to become our servants, hoping to be embraced. Hoping to one day be brought into the family. As immortality is what your kind truly desires." She steps into the laboratory, but signals Cora to wait outside. "Nowadays, most of the servants are just afraid that they will be eaten or something if they don't behave. Which is not completely wrong, but most servants soon realize that my kind is simply superior and should be served by the mortals." Inside the laboratory she makes sure to not step onto the corpses. With her gloves on, she would check drawers and any open papers for useful information, although she has no idea about anything chemical, and her school knowledge dates centuries back. "Sometimes there are generations of servants without anyone being brought in, sometimes it happens more quickly. In the end, balance is key. We rule the world, but we can't be many. I myself didn't bring in a new blood in..." She stops and thinks for a moment. "I can't remember, it must be really long ago that I invited someone. Your predecessor was a good candidate. Maybe you will be as well." "Fishing them with the chance of immortality has always been a great way to ensure their obedience." Finally, she reaches the chemist, the one who should have mixed her neurotoxin but now was dead. She looks more closely at the rag in his mouth and what else is there.

it looks like the rag will need to be pulled out to release whatever else is in there

Nora looks for some pliers that might be still useable. Even if she wears gloves, she doesn't like the thought of grabbing some dead mortal into its mouth.

There is a set of needle nose pliers left on a desk. They seem like they'll do

Nora grabs the pliers and tries to get the rag out of the chemist's mouth. She keeps her distance, but not because she is afraid of any poisons or other surprises, but simply because she doesn't like dead mortals. Alive, they are fun toys and source of blood. Dead, they remind her of the end, something she doesn't like, unless she is the one who brought death to them.

The rag unwinds and falls out, piling itself onto the floor. A data disc that can be inserted into a compad falls out with the rag. This was meant to be found

Nora kneels down to grab the disc. She looks at it, turns it. "A message, or a way to infiltrate my compad. Why did these hunters need to crucify my perfect way of killing them beautifully with an aggressive neurotoxin? Now I need to find another way or need to finish my next show with a more, violent and loud boom. A bass that can be felt within all of their bodies, or what is left of it, yes." she smiles amid the corpses of Octavian's mortal henchmen. "But for now I should find out who wanted to send this message." She looks at her compad, then shakes her head, that repeats when she looks outside at Cora. "No, can't risk any computer virus in the network of our House." She sighs before checking the corpses for an useable compad. Normally she would make Cora do these things that are below her. But as this is a laboratory, she doesn't want her sweet blooded servant to die. Finding replacement is not always as easy as it was with Cora. So she starts checking the pockets of those on the ground.

One of the dead is huddled in a corner. Their body was brained over the head with something heavy and they remained curled up in a helpless position after the blow. The boxy outline of a compad in one of their coat pockets is easy to see.

Nora kneels down and grabs the compad out of the dead men's pocket. She just glances shortly at his post beating condition. His brain loss is shrugged away by Nora. She knows full well that mortals use way too less of their gray mass, although hitting their head is still pretty deadly. She shakes her head, thinking that she once was just like them. With the compad in hand, she tries to insert the disc, to see what message it contains. What poison for the mind they placed in the mouth of the man that should have mixed a poison to destroy their minds.

The video begins playing. A vampire is tied to chair and it looks like his hands have been burned off with directed UV rays. Off camera is he is asked to speak his name. "Erastus Oniferous, Herald of the great house of.!" the mantra is abruptly stopped with a massive slap to the face. For good measure one of his human torturers moves into the frame. The shot shows only his back but you can hear the shouting and yelling as one of Erastus' fangs are removed by his captors. When the attacker moves out of frame, a new trickle of blood is running down the side of the house herald's mouth and down his shirt. "I have...a message..for the house..." Erastus continues. "The humans....some know...more are knowing....You..we...are not safe.." The camera pans in and out a few times. The inexpert hand controlling it has the frame getting fuzzy before taking a step back so it clarifies again. "Two weeks. Video will be released. All information. World will know, you will die. Have until then...to leave" Erastus takes a deep breath, and shouts "LONG LIVE ERASTUS THE GREAT! LONG LIVE HOU----" He never gets the chance to finish his statement as what must be dozens of high power UV lights rip into his flesh. He is rendered down to a glowing pile of embers within a few seconds. (edited)

Watching the video is utterly painful for Nora. Seeing a fellow vampire like that, tortured, and in the end loosing his immortality lets her groan and growl. She wants to destroy something, or just further mutilate the corpses. But she knows better, destroying any equipment here could even be dangerous for her. "Mortals! They should all be tied and serve as blood reservoirs, they deserve to die!" Full of anger she turns around, seeing the still sickly looking Cora. An urge runs down her spine, the urge to jump at her and make her pay for what the hunters did. Her eyes are red as blood, her fangs are extended, and she pretty much is the beasts that lingers inside her. But before ripping the poor servant's throat out and bringing an end to her life, Nora calms herself a bit. "I wanted an awesomely orchestrated show, but this won't be anymore. This will be a bloodbath. They all will pay, they and everyone they have every known. And once they all bled out, their blood will supply newly built fountains in the Mansion. They all need to die!" Now all she wants to do is leave and work on her murderous revenge. There won't be an Immortal leaving, before that happens all mortals have died out on Tece. But before leaving, she looks around one last time, trying to see if anything was left behind from those who did this here. (edited)

(it was cyrus's vamp character, not your elder)

(oh yeah my mistake! editing it)

(oniferous, i goofed the name)

8:24 AM

(too many O's)

(Orleanu is dead now, long unlive House Racovitza!)

There is only limited evidence. Silver spikes used to pin up the victims, and a few bullet holes in the walls. The footage itself may yield clues if properly analyzed in the right hands.

Nora grabs two silver bolts, with her gloves still on. She takes them and the compad with her, just to drop everything into Caro's hands before throwing her gloves away. She grabs the jack and walks towards the car. Octavian will surely send someone to clean up the mess, so there was no reason to further get her hands dirty. "We will pay a visit to Octavian, the one we visited yesterday. I need some of his contacts. Soon the night sky will be tinted blood-red." Her eyes are still red as blood when she stops at the car, waiting for her servant to open the door and drive her to the Mansion of House Orniferous. Nora doesn't know who the tortured vampire was, it wasn't all too important anyway, the message itself needed to be answered. The hunters will soon find themselves the hunted.

The guards are familiar with you now and the doors to the main house are opened. Octavian is sent for, and appears in the middle of the room effortlessly, and quickly. A psychic, as well as a vampire, it seems

Nora frowns, she isn't uncomfortable with Octavian displaying his skills like that. But still, someone who can appear out of nowhere, especially someone as powerful as Octavian, is always someone to look out for if one wants to keep their immortality. Nora swallows those thoughts, her status is below his, but she also doesn't want to show fear or admiration, to not give him more reason to act superior, more than status alone. Nora steps a bit aside to allow Octavian to look at Cora and what she is carrying for Nora. "Show Octavian Orniferous the video. Now." Nora looks at Octavian, to gauge any reaction he might show.

"How long ago was this taken?" he asks, he is on the verge of an emotion but seems to almost be consciously deciding which one to pick

Nora shrugs. "I don't know Octavian, most likely at the same time the member of your house was tortured and killed." She remarks sarcastically. "You could surely check the file properties. But to narrow it down, when was the last time you heard from this Erastus? And furthermore, do you believe them?"

"I meant how long ago were you at the site. Have you come from there just now?"

Nora nods. "Yes. As fast as my servant could drive. Because I felt that it doesn't matter if I believe what is said in the video. It doesn't matter if I want to see them all dead. If it is true what they say, than we need to act quickly. There is no reason to believe that they would wait two weeks. They could upload it any day. Or this is a plot to get us away. Like someone tricking us. I am an artist, a musician. That is why I came here as soon as possible."

"This vampire was my herald. He was meant to bring terms to House Holvell. I was told he had delivered them, but never made it back. I wonder..."

Nora thinks for a moment, and before the silence gets too long she says. "You wonder if this was a play? Staged by one of the other houses? What did you get out of those I left alive? Are they still being tortured for answers?"

'They are. One is left. We can ask together now that we have this piece of evidence you recovered. I do not think we can rule anything out. Holvell is one of the weaker houses, but cunning. A move like this is not beyond them." (edited)

"Or an alliance. The alliance of the unwilling." She turns to Cora. "Wait in the car, what happens now is not for your eyes to see." Once Cora is gone she would follow Octavian. "I will happily follow you and assist in getting some answers out of the last one."

He nods and once again you walk through the study out to the yard where one of the hunters is barely hanging on to life. Blood has soaked into the dark wood, and it looks like his companions have been set alight on their own crosses around him ocne they expired. He has been blinded, but he has been left with the ability to speak

Nora gets closer to Octavian to whisper into his ear. "Play the video, I want to see his reaction."

He can hear out of one side of his head still, and the hanging hunter listens to the video. What's left of his features scrunch in concentration trying to make sense of what is happening through a pain addled brain. The ending of the video is certain even with no eyes to see it. His mouth now missing several teeth pulls what's left of them into something like a jagged smile.

With all the anger that Nora had to live through lately, she has not many problems to keep her calm this time. To not jump at this smiling human and make him taste his own blood. Instead, she tries some intriguing cunning for once. She signals Octavian that she will try something. She walks to the hunter and touches his exposed skin softly, while doing so she tires to gather some of his blood in his palm, without him noticing. While doing so she leans closer to the hunter, to speak with a calm and soft voice to him. "You know, I wanted to kill you and your family and friends, and everyone you knew. Sadly, I didn't realize at first that you have no friends. You have no real family. You are just the servant of another vampire household." She consciously doesn't mention the name Holvell, as she couldn't be sure if he belongs to them or not, or no house at all. It was a gamble. "But I will still find and eliminate them. Then I will bring their elder here, and you will kill him. As my pawn. You know that drinking a vampires blood, makes you a vampire, right? And that fledglings can't do anything else but follow the orders of their creators." A lie, but none of the houses ever tells a mortal how it really goes, at least House Orleanu never did, so he won't know. She grabs his mouth with one hand and forces it open, then lets some drops of the collected blood run into his mouth, before stopping. "Things could go differently, if you decide to tell me what you know." (edited)

He tries to spit it out. His face sours and his hands wiggle as he tries to wipe his face but cannot. The nail wounds bleed again as his struggling disturbs the scabs "Kill me. Just kill me now"

Nora laughs. "Just a bit more, and you will be immortal, and forced to do what I say." She raises her hand once more to his mouth, not pouring blood into it. "Last chance. I'll promise you death if you give me the answers I want. Or immortality and becoming my slave who kills their former masters, if you don't. It is your choice. What will they think when your newly developed fangs rip out their throats?"

He is quiet now, waiting for the question

She turns to Octavian, showing a victorious smile on her face, before turning back to her blinded victim. Breaking him was step one. But now she needed some answers that don't make her look like she bluffed. "At first tell me the name of your master. You are no hired thug and you don't look like someone who got passed around, so you mainly served one. What is his name." She doesn't necessarily think he will tell the truth. Most servants don't betray their masters. But if he names a member of a house, chances are pretty high that he was a servant of that house. If he even was a servant of a house.

"holvell...." he coughs

8:14 AM

"House...Holvell....let me die now, I never want to be one of you monsters"

"If you call us monsters. Why did you serve House Holvell then?"

"Promised to get rid of you...and would leave..when done"

"The last question before your life will find an end. Which other families were involved?"

"Holvell...all...all I know" He is struggling to breathe now that he is awake and panicking. The pressure of hanging like this has his lungs compressing and every syllable is a fight

Nora grabs his mouth again to get it open and then lets the rest of his blood drop into his mouth. "Somewhere between two and twenty hours and you will be my new puppy." She says laughing before returning to Octavian, to whom she whispers. "Let him hanging there, he will be dead before he realised I lied to him. But the feeling of becoming one of us will torture him until his death. Shall we go somewhere more private?"

He nods, and two of his servants begin spilling oil around the base of the cross. "Please, back to the study. We can talk in peace"

She agrees and follows Octavian into his study, where she gets herself a chair and sits down. "Holvell, I mean I don't know much about them, but I believe this dead man. There was no need to make us fight Holvell, when the situation between our houses was already bad. But this is bad. And we can't let them know that we know. What do you know about house Holvell, Octavian."

“Cunning. They live out in the country away from the fifty. The man in that video was my friend Erastus, and I sent him to that house to bring my terms. It seems that this is a declaration of war of a sort

"Well, I know how you feel, or at least I think I do. But I can't say that I am particularly sorry. I didn't know him, but I do know how your delivery of your terms can go. But still, torturing of our kind, like that is almost a sin, if I hadn't done something similar myself. An open war is something we shouldn't do. We will win, but they could do something that could potentially be harmful for our future. For once we should give them false security. Could you call all elders and tell them of this situation and of hunters threatening our existence and that we may need to evacuate? But before you do, do you have spies at the other houses? If so, they could tell us which house prepares for an evacuation, and which does not. Those who don't might be working together with Holvell."

“My spy network is not what it used to be. Some were found. The rest have gone to ground or cannot transmit information often , so what we do get is out of date. We could get a meeting together. That may be one way to sniff out the rats. I think a direct visit to Holvell is in our best interest. A message needs to be sent, as much as I dislike acting with force against our own kind “

"But in that meeting you don't actually want to tell the houses that we know Holvell is the problem. Or was that your play?"

“The intention is they dig their own grave when it comes to the sharing of intelligence. They’re either forced to give up an asset we can pump for information , or they contribute nothing and I presume have suspicion cast on them as the only home not dealing with attacks “

7:42 AM

“You can ensure once everyone’s cards are on the table, the veracity of everyone’s statements will be investigated by everyone else. The assault on my home, the murder of your elder , the filmed execution of the hunters here and the evidence you’ve obtained thankfully have both our houses beyond reproach”

"That is why House Orniferous grabs for the power to reign over our kind, and why I am just a musician. Yes, your plan sounds good. We should hold the meeting. And make the attacks public. But we should keep our little coup on Aquillon between us. So they can't point with fingers on us."

"I don't think anyone is going to look further than the hunters. The way you handled things adds some deniability to it"

"Yeah, you might be right. You surely are. I will represent a House for the first time. One that bears my name, even if House Racovitza is a small shadow compared to the former House Orleanu. But it is what it is. We will stand at the side of House Orniferous. Anything else would be detrimental, considering that some of our kind want to fight out who reigns us all. I guess the meeting will be tonight. So I should head back, can't be here when it starts. And if Holvell isn't opening up, maybe I will pay them a visit, offering them an alliance, and thus becoming the mole in their rows."

“We tried that. Erastus was always headstrong and had his own ideas about terms. I can’t imagine what he said to them, but if they were interested in a Union he would still be alive l

"You misunderstand me. If the meeting won't bring us further. I could pay them a visit. But I wouldn't ask them to join us. I would ask them if House Racovitza could join them. Being a double agent of some sorts. If we know what they are planning, we can take them out more easily. Conquering through deception."

"How are you going to let it slip that you know what they're planning, and want in?"

Nora grins, flashing her fangs before putting on an angry face. "By telling the truth. You called me because my Elder was killed. I tortured some of the caught hunters, out of bloodlust and vengeance. One of them slipped that it was them, House Holvell. I kept it for myself. I'll tell them that I dislike that my creator was killed, but assume it was most likely just collateral damage in an attack on Octavian. The monster that slaughtered most of House Orleanu. The monster that must die!" The grin returns to her face. "Believable enough to persuade someone like House Holvell?"

He sighs. "I'm tired of feeling like a spider. Spinning webs to tightly I entrap both friend and enemy, and sometimes forget which is which. Your plan though, proceed with it for now."

Nora laughs. "Sadly that is what we are. Too often involved in intrigue. But I can tell you, a spiderweb consists of spider threads. Those are similar to the strings on my violin, and I am good at playing strings. The look on the faces of House Holvell before they meet what they deserve, which is the dawn of day, that will make it worth. And remember Octavian. If this is pulled off, no one will stand up against you. This will pretty much deliver regency on a tablet for you." Nora pauses for a bit, staring at Octavian. "I am not doing this for you. They will pay for what they have done. Whenever you become the undisputed head of our kind, be it after the end of House Holvell or sometime later, I demand that House Racovitza gets the status it deserves. The right to regrow what was lost. And with the end of Aquillon, I want his clubs, I want the mortals to listen to my music and praise it. Will you arrange that once you got what you are looking for?"

"I think we can agree to that. The Holvell homestead, Aquillons clubs, and the servants attached to both will be transfered to house Racovitza upon successful removal of the threat of the hunters, and proof of Holvell's trechery. D we have a deal?"

"We do. And it is not just proof of their treacherous actions. We will orchestrate their end as well." Nora bits slightly into her palm, in a way that some blood runs out of the bite marks, she then reaches out with her bitten hand to shake Octavian's. "We are allies in this, no matter what we have to say or do to keep the facade going."

"Allies" he says, mirroring the gesture and repeating it back to you

"Good. I will see myself out then. During the meeting of yours, we don't need to lie. You can even show the video of Erastus, just don't mention that I visited your poison mixer. And tell them we didn't get any information out of the four hunters, you can even mention that I killed them all in a fury. But I guess you knew that already, you are the talkative leader type anyway. Will you call for the meeting tonight?"

"No, tomorrow. The houses will need time to prepare a meeting place. We need a neutral ground since the culprit could be anyone"

"Fine with me. I need to call off a vendetta now, get some rest and clean myself. Sadly I won't be here to witness when the hunter realizes he won't turn and just die, but I can imagine the surprise when life leaves his body. Goodbye, Octavian. For a while we will act as neutral parties until you will be crowned." With that out Nora leaves House Orniferous and gets driven back home were she calls her family to meet her in the dining room. With blood on her clothing she sits down in an armchair and waits for their arrival.

They trickle in over the next few hours. Many of them were in the middle of handling other tasks you had given them and have put those efforts on hold to make the journey back and attend you. T

Nora is quiet during all this time, only greeting new arrivals with a nod. She is caught in thoughts, questioning herself if what she does was a smart idea. But she knows that some risks had to be taken to lead her kind into a new, better future. Even more so in the light of what House Holvell was doing. Once all are assembled she looks up. Looks at all of them. She knows she can't tell them the full truth. "I know I gave all of you orders. I need you to halt them. We are in a critical situation, one none of us has been before. But at least until tomorrow night, I want you to lay low. Tomorrow night I might have more answers, but it could be that our mansion will be all you see in the coming nights. I know I am vague yet again, but it is only in your best interest that I am." She expects questions as what she said was pretty vague. So she gives her family time to react.

they have no reaction. They have no information to react to and by now know that asking questions is only going to upset you. Most of them are just resigned to not have a clue about what is going on until it happens, these meetings serving only to spike their anxiety (edited)

Nora looks at them, their faces. She knows full well that she is no leader like the Elder before, like her creator. But she also doesn't aim to become one. All she wants is for the whole situation to calm down again, so she can use the coming centuries to study her magic and play music. Having Octavian as a head of her kind wasn't necessarily what she wished for, but he was a leader of some sorts. And with her Elder dead, there was no other of her kind existing right now, that would fit better. And if he stays true to his words. House Racovitza could flourish a bit, could even grow. And his access to the stars would allow for her music to travel beyond Tece and for her to have access to more magical knowledge, even if it was just from weak mortals. She knows she won't be traveling much, as outside of Tece, she might have it harder to stay afloat. She thinks all that while the rest are still in the room, waiting to be dismissed. She looks at them again. "I know this is all cryptic. I know you might not like what I am doing, the walls are solid, but not solid enough to numb down all the chatter. I'd love to tell you more, well love is a strong word, but it doesn't change it, I can't tell you more. It would risk it all, and make you targets. So far you trusted me, because you had no alternatives. I need you to not work against me, whatever it is, keep it down, at least for another month or two. Lay low until I tell you otherwise. Trust me, just for the time being. Take a sip here and there and wait for the new age to come." Nora is charismatic, no doubt, she can catch people, especially mortals, but she is no natural-born leader. Her words are free of pathos, there is no fire in it, and it feels mostly like begging for an armistice even if the other three immortals didn't make a play yet. And only one of them may have the guts to do so anyway. "You are dismissed for tonight, and are free until further notice. You will find me, if you still want to talk." She turns to Cora and points at an empty glass in front of her. Nora's eyes show that she is only partially here, and partially in thoughts about how to approach what she started. "Mix me something new, something blue."

Caro races off to do just that. As for your siblings, everyone has questions, and they want answers to those questions, but they know enough of you and enough of how things have gone in past house operations to know that asking despite your warnings is only going to annoy you. They'll be walking away with your anger, and no information gained for the risk. They were given duties, and in the absence of direct orders to abandon them, they will return to where they were to continue carrying them out.

Nora grabs the glass, filled with some blue and yellow cocktail. She looks tired and zoomed out. She then waves with the back of her hand at Cora and half-heartedly says: "Go to sleep." Nora had enough blood in her to last her for a bit. With the cocktail in hand she leaves the dining room and enters her chambers. She looks at the cocktail. It looks somewhat delicious, but she downs it at once, just to sit down again to play some sad songs on her violin. The shutters close and the night ends. Nora gets up before the shutters reopen, to prepare her magic for the day and to get ready. She does so and starts to play on her violin, to distract her mind, waiting for the call, waiting to be called to a meeting that won't get them further but will be the place she will first approach house Holvell.

(3xp, 5000 credits)

11:01 AM

(if this doesn't level you, we'll push on)

(9xp in total so no it shouldn't, level 4 is 12xp iirc, so we are good to go)

(we have a day cycle beforehand, did you have any preparations you wanted to make beforehand?)

(No, she thinks she has it, and keep everything to herself, soo we are good to dive into the spiderweb)

There is a small tone that wakes you up an hour before the night cycle begins from Octavian. Evidently he is awake somewhere , while the mortals bask outside in their unknown hours of safety.

6:07 PM

A meeting has been set up in the penthouse of a hotel on neutral ground.

Nora sits upright in her bed, leaning upright against the headboard. It was time. A new play. A dangerous one. If she succeeds or fails, the outcome will be the same, House Holvell will pay. But if she does a good job, everyone helping them will pay as well, and all that without risking open war. If she succeeds and has the right ideas at the right times. Nora sighs and talks to herself. "Huh, that is like playing a symphony without preparing for it. But that is key. There is no sheet of music that guides me through the symphony. It is only my instincts and intuition that guides me. Makes me seem less like a liar, less like a spy." She types a message to Nora, telling her she should be in Nora's room in one hour. The remaining time she uses to prepare her magic, she slighty changes her current Spell Setlist and sways in the rythmic tones of her violin that will later activate her magic at her will. Once preparations are done, she gets dressed, wearing a black and burgundy dress and her white hair made into a ponytail. She waits in her armchair for the already familiar knock of her servant. And once Cora enters the room, Nora stands up. "We need to go. There is an important meeting to attend. You know that spooky looking hotel, the one in the eastern part of the city. I forgot the name, but I'll give you the address once we are in the car."

Cora likely knows the one you mean. Even among mortals it has a reputation, but they believe it something more prosaic like ghosts or simply dissettling lingering metaspace effects from The Scream. For now, it serves as a meeting place where the shadow rulers of this world can discuss issues important to them. The car is prepared, Cora checks the UV and Sun shade systems a few times just to ensure you are going to have some redundant protection. A combat shotgun from the house Armory has also been locked into a holster next to her seat. She has no training with it, but it might serve as a deterrent from someone getting closer than they should to either her or the car during the meeting.

7:58 AM

You cannot be sure what manner of servants the other houses employ.

Nora sits comfortably on the back seat. Thinking. Arguing with herself. Intrigue was the essence and bane of the existence of her kind. But it was still a game she knew pretty well. For most of her immortal existence, she could duck away when things got too political. She wasn't shy or anything, it was just that her Elder had a certain authority and made sure that anything big was handled by himself. It let them to the state they are in now. Now he is gone, and the House with him. Now it is her name, her House, and she had to handle the situation, and she will. "Cora. I see the shotgun. Don't. Most servants are usually well-mannered, the same I expect from you. Some are animals like their masters. If things get fishy, go. Don't you worry about me, but it would hurt my non-beating heart if there was no sweet tasting blood end a day of politics and intrigue, because it got spilled and a car ruined. Understood?"

She nods and continues driving. "Mistress, has anyone ever thought of filling the shells with silver? or something else that hurts vampires? Has that ever been done? I saw what the hunters did, but...is it poor manners to do it against one of your own?" she covers her mouth with her hand, realizing she has just spoken out of turn

Nora stares into the rear mirror, baffled, trying to meet the gaze of Cora. "Those are dangerous words out of the mouth of a servant, even more so if they leave a mouth, unasked. But to answer this question. I guess some have done it. I don't know. I try to not be on any side in a firefight. And if it comes to hurting people, I can just tell you that my music can bring joy to someone's senses, or torture them, really torture them. Or I find other ways to deliver pain. But why do you want to know that? Do you have any malicious thoughts?"

"I am trying to anticipate threats you might face at a conference like this, and threats to myself from being in the employ of the house. I may need to defend myself, or you, from one of your kin someday"

10:06 AM

"I ask only so I can serve you properly"

Nora nods. "Almost cute. But I chose you because of your sweet blood, and your drinks. If I wanted a protector I would have seduced some police officer. I lived for so long, counting on my abilities. I don't need you for that. But if you fear for your own safety, you are free to get some training, I will cover the costs. But if you ever point a gun at me, you'll be dead before you can pull the trigger. But you won't do that, I know." Nora leans back again. "This girl, unexpected." She tries to clear her mind during the last part of the ride. But once they get closer she would sit upright, trying to see everything.

The car pulls up to a building that seems to embody the very concept of gray. Blacked out windows , washed stone blocks, a dedication panel of the most flat stone color imaginable. It’s reputation is the only thing that makes it stand out and as you look at it, it almost wars with your mind to make itself forgotten. Almost.

6:17 PM

There is no doorman and the glass is entirely mirrored.

Nora looks at the hotel in front of them. She shudders. She is excited, but the scent of fear surrounds her. Nora can't help it. But she knows a way to calm herself and bring her back into the state of superiority that so many of her kind show. She lets Cora open the door, then gets out. Once Cora closed the door, Nora turns. Grabs her and pushes her softly against the car. Nora's eyes are blood-red and her fangs are extended. She leans in and teeth break through Cora's soft skin. Nora only takes a sip, nothing to affect her servant negatively, just enough to have mouth and throat sprinkled with the sweet taste of her barkeeper's blood. It immediately calms her. Taking from mortals without asking is something obvious to an immortal. They are but cattle, only tools of their masters. The calming turns to a feeling of self-assurance, she will construct the play that will be remembered. "Take care, and don't risk anything, I want more of that tonight." She says to Cora before walking towards the unguarded doors. On her way she plays a few notes, special ones. (Casting personal shielding field and maintaining low focus) On her way to the door she looks around one more time, to see how many cars are parked here already.

There are no cars near the building to help maintain the illusion that nothing special is happening inside. It seems to be common practice to send transportation and mortal servants elsewhere when there are many of the night kin abroad.

Without someone in sight who could open the door for Nora, she pushes it open, to enter the Hotel and to see what was going on in the lobby.

(notice/wis)

(4 Nora's rolls are really not that good.)

Entering the hotel you can see there is no doorman and no staff on the bottom floor. All the elevators are on floor 10 right now.

With everything looking strangely deserted, Nora takes the stairs to get to the tenth floor. Taking them is a good way to stay in shape. And even an immortal should take care of themselves at least once in a while.

Marching up the stairs on the exhausting journey to the 10th floor where once again no guards have been posted. Double doors to a suite on this floor have been left open. Artificial light sweeps into the hallway and you can hear dozens of voices all talking and laughing within the room. This sounds more and more like typical meeting behavior.

Nora walks towards those doors slower than usual to maybe hear some of the words said before walking through the double doors. She mainly wants to know if they are still just chatting a bit or if they are already talking about the attacks.

They are idly chatting for now, as not everyone is present.

Nora enters the suite, with a neutral face. "Good Night. I was afraid I came here too late, with some chatter already present."

Octavian is present, talking among the largest group of night-kin. "Everyone" he says with his deep and honeyed voice. "May I present to you Nora, the elder of house Racovitza. House Orleonu is no more and it is a tale we will tell now with everyone present. Please, let us sit down and enjoy a drink, we have much to discuss"

"Yes, enjoy your drinks." Nora says without looking at anyone present. She takes a seat and looks towards the group of heads of houses. Without sounding angry or bitter she adds. "The drinks might be the only thing you can enjoy tonight. Are we expecting many more? It is the first time that I was invited to play in this ensemble so I am unsure of the number of members we can Expect. But I am afraid it won't be melodious night."

Everyone is now assembled, and Octavian brings the group to order. There is no obvious head of this round table featuring nine other houses. Yours, plus Octavian brings the total to 11. There is a 12'th place at the table that is left empty and treated with deference.

"I don't know how you usually do this. Or if there is some conductor here, but let me be the trombone and start off with some rather loud topic. The death of my creator. The former elder of house Orleanu. There has been increased activity from this mortal dirt that calls themselves hunters. One of the recent victims" Her voice thins "let us just say that I left only shreds of three of this scum. Who else is experiencing this increased rate of aggression?"

Every house at the table seems to report some sort of increase in aggression though neither were probed as hard as you, or Oniferous. Only Holvell seems to not have anything to add to this discussion, citing their remote location as the reason they've escaped the dangers of the city

She turns to the head of house Holvell. "You are lucky then. But they have gone even further. I already got to see a video, Octavian showed it to me, the day I had to say my last goodbye to my creator. The video brings it all on a whole other level. Those hunters want to show the evidence that we exist, they will reveal our existence to everyone on Tece, maybe even beyond that. As much as I think we should strike at them, relentlessly, we may have to consider an evacuation." She turns to Octavian. " You said you have access to the stars, right? If we say we evacuate in 10, if we can't stop the hunters prior to that, could you get a ship here so we could evacuate the most important of our kind? We could all meet together on some cargo port and then, board the ship together to leave. To leave the dangers behind." She knows that Octavian had no idea this was coming. But this was the plan. Nobody but her can know what was about to happen, at least for now. Only this way she can assure every actor in this ensemble, acts without having to lie. Only she knows that she hopes for the space port, if one exists, between cargo containers, this would be the stage for the Bloody Symphony. The place where all traitors end, and a new age begins. If, well, if all goes as planned, but she was flexible enough to react to whatever will happen.

This was a massive secret Octavian had been keeping from everyone and now the lid is blown wide open. The council erupts into chaos as accusations begin flying in all directions

"Chaos. Perfect. A chaotic symphony needs a strong conductor to play brilliantly again." Nora lets them shout for a moment, before she stands up and slams her hand onto the table and starts to shout. "Shut up! All of you! Just look at yourself, screaming, pointing with fingers, yet you are still here. You didn't find your end at the hands of these mortals. My Elder, my Creator, he did. So don't patheticly scream nonsense. You all are at fault here, and I am not free of guilt as well. We can exist forever, live in the shadows, enjoy our immortality, feed of the mortals and let them work for us. But many of our kind got careless, and most of us just let their behavior slip. We didn't protect our interests. We are at fault for the fact that our presence became more and more known among certain mortals. The fights among us alerted them as well. And they outnumber us, greatly. There is no open war. None that we can hope to win." Her voice becomes less shouty and more calm again. "So while we should try to find these, hunters, to stop the whole mess. We should talk about what to do if we don't find them. Some of us have more power, more possibilities than others. So are we here to talk and decide on options? If someone wants to say no, go home, find some branch and carve yourself a stake out of it, as you decided on your own doom."

The council seems to agree that stopping the hunters and the release of their video is the primary concern and biggest threat to everyone’s safety here.

8:23 PM

If it cannot be stopped , evacuation is the next best option and it seems like Octavian will have his own day in court for hiding these off world contacts at another time

Nora's reveal of Octavian's contacts to the stars might have been a bit much, but it was needed. Needed for the "Big Bang", the song about blood and lead. And it will help her convince house Holvell that she is on their side, and will maybe make it easier to lure them into the trap that will be their doom. Nora waits for the conversation to further calm before raising her voice again. "I guess with us all agreeing, we should meet again in three nights from now, to share any information that we found, does that sound like a plan?" She doesn't want to lead her kind, this spot was already taken. And leading her kind would be too costly, time wasted that could be used to develop her arts. But now she needed to act like one, because only a leader can lead people into their demise.

“We should decide who is responsible for looking into what, and what we know already before we race off in different directions” Octavian says as he tries to re asset some of his leadership. “Calm, concentration, coordination, and control. This is how we halt the crisis. This is how we carry the day and ensure all of our safety. Even you House Ammuk” There is some general laughter as the mood begins to lighten. “If we find nothing by the meeting in three days I will begin transitioning us to an evacuation plan. Anything you have that is portable and you can do without for a week you may want to consider boxing up to save time later. We either put this back and feel silly, or we will be glad the forethought went into it”

"That sounds like a plan. With house Holvell not attacked so far. I would like to support them, share my knowledge so they can both prepare for an attack of the hunters and prepare for a possible evacuation. I guess other houses might be better suited for a manhunt anyway." She turns to the head of house Holvell.."I do hope my assistance is appreciated."

“It’s appreciated” the house elder says with no enthusiasm and faked politeness in her voice

"You will think differently once we talk, and then again once you will meet your end." "Good." She replies, matching the tone of house Holvell. Nora waits to see if the meeting is about to find its end. If nothing new comes up. She would wait for the end to approach house Holvell.

(If you personally didn't have anything to add, i guess that is about it)

(I created enough chaos and have the position I wanted, so nothing to add)

The meetng ends rather abruptly, it seems each house is going to investigate things in their own way since no hierarchy was discussed. Holvell seems in a hurry to leave

Nora follows the head of house Holvell. She thinks about grabbing them by the shoulder to stop them, but touching dead people is considered bad luck, and that representative was dead, they just didn't knew it yet. "Not so fast! You almost forgot to take me with you." Nora says as she closes the gap. "So should I join you in your car or come visit you in my own. You will need my help, you don't want those hunters coming at you."

"Feel free to follow us if your servants can keep up. We will let the house guard know to expect you and let you in"

"They have no choice but to let me in." She answers, with no smile on her face. Nora doesn't like to share the car with the head of house Holvell, so she messages Cora to return. On her way down the stairs she types another message, a short one, to none other than Octavian. Sorry, hit you by surprise, but that was needed. Call you later. With that out as well she continues to walk down the stairs until she enters the lobby again, hoping for Cora to be there soon.

The message remains delivered, but not read. You suspect he needs some time to cool down before answering you. It is probably for the best that some time is taken before you hear from him

Nora leaves the hotel to stand outside, waiting for her servant to arrive.

Ten minutes pass by. The car from House Holvell is long gone and Cora has not arrived.

Nora has an annoyed look on her face. "If it was raining I might just kill her once she arrives. But even like that it is back to just being called servant for a bit. Letting me wait here." there is no concern in her thinking. "Lets see where she is." Nora takes her compad and tries to get the position of the bronze wrist band she put on Cora's wrist.

Three blocks over the wristband pings it’s return pulse to your compad but the signal is not moving at all

Nora gets angry and starts walking. Three blocks isn't too far, but this, nobody treats her like that. Nobody! "If she is asleep, I am going to rip her throat out. They mostly never work more than twenty hours a day, every day. Plenty of time to get rest during their off hours." she thinks. (While she is walking towards the pinged location she still keeps her low focus up, so Personal shielding field remains active)

It will be morning in a few hours and every moment counts. As you approach the car you can see that the passenger door has been left open. The windshield's inside is absolutely coated in a thick film of red, gently dripping from the glass to cover the dashboard and run down it in thick runnels.

8:06 AM

A message appears on your pad from Octavian. Never disrespect me like that in public again. This is the only warning you will get from me.

(aside from the blood everywhere that will be costly when it comes to cleaning the car, is there something left from Cora in that car or just blood?)

Cora's body is still in the driver set. Her head is tilted back and she was killed by one clean cut through the throat, and propped back into position to ensure the blood spray was as messy as possible. She was not disfigured in any other way and all of her belongings are still with her.

Nora stares at Octavian's message, then over to Cora's dead body, then back to the message. "Yes, it will be your last warning. In a week from now you will be gone. So much for your trust and our alliance. This was your death sentence, Octavian." Nora walks over to the driver seat and drags Cora out of it and onto the ground. "You poor fool. Born a toy, died a toy. Plaything of immortals." She lets her lying on the ground. She was dead, her blood cold and no pulsating heartbeat anymore. Cora lost her value, so Nora lets her lying on the ground, like some unwanted garbage. She then gets into the car, gets enough blood of the windshield so she could see through it again and then starts to drive towards house Holvell, trying to be quicker than the looming dawn.

The guards at the gate raise rifles as they blood soaked vehicle arrives at the estate. They’re on guard and likely habe been told to mess with you

Nora parks the car. Her clothes stained with Cora's blood. Her face, her stance, her whole aura is the pure essence of annoyance. She. Is. Annoyed. Mortals act up and do shitty stuff, her servant gets herself killed and in the process of dying ruins the interior of one of the houses cars. Her own kind can't be trusted either. Octavian must die for his betrayal. He doesn't trust her, so he is a liability. They all should die actually. Why can't they enjoy their immortality and use the time given to them to perfect skills or do other things mortals can't, because of their limited time span? . She doesn't want to become a leader. But maybe she should be the driving force in the purge of her own kind. A new beginning, less houses, less of her kind, so she can finally return to the pleasures of immortality instead of fighting a useless war against her kind and the scum of mortals. While still in the car she types a short message to Octavian. I got the message. I deserved it. I am sorry. I won't betray you again. I will continue with our plan. I am sorry. Typing it almost makes her puke, because all she can think of is Octavian's beaten body, nailed to a cross facing the dawn. She gets out of the car and stares at the guards. She knows she has to enter the building, or leave with the car to sleep in its trunk. Because Dawn is Coming. "You see what happened to my not behaving servant." She points at the blood everywhere. "You aren't even my house, so you better not continue to stop me or do anything else that makes my mood even worse. The head of your house invited me. So you better let me pass or I'll ask them for some blood soup for dinner. Served in one of your skulls." A fanged smile forms on her face. "Put down your guns and let me pass."

You can see the message is read but not answered to. "The Lady of House Holvell has decided to withdraw her cooperation. You may return to your home Elder Racovitza"

"I am not here to play games, servant. You either get your House's elder out here, or I will enter your house. If you are hesitant and want to deliver a message first, just tell her that you two might end like her servants who burned in the garden of house Orniferous. Whatever you do, hurry, my patience is non existant."

They raise their weapons. "you will not enter the prpoerty. The master of the house has forbidden it"

Thoughts run through Nora's mind. She could kill them, she wants to, but running at them, with their rifles trained at her, it would be wasting her immortality. One more threat before she has to opt for plan b, or C, C was more dramatic, with more blood and splatter, but also more work for her, but sometimes one needs to work to achieve something. "listen sacks of blood, tell your Master that the other houses will get to know that house Holvell was behind the attacks, I can help make it a successful endeavor, or make sure your house is in flames in a few days. Oh. If you think about killing me, that would trigger an automatic distribution of information, so everyone knows. So once I am back in the car, without talking to your master, you can prepare to be emptied soon."

Their confidence is beginning to waver with what you have said. One of them begins to unchain the gate while his companion is rooted to the spot trying to process what you've just said

Nora thinks about using one it her magic tricks to get into the House, now. But decides against it. Either they want to help her eliminate Octavian, or they decide to burn before she gets to eliminate Octavian. House Holvell will most likely burn in any case, but that is something that just happens. So she just stands there and waits, to see how House Holvell decides. And if they take too long, Nora would slowly begin to walk towards her bloody car.

(They opened the gate for you)

After Nora realized that the gate was indeed opened for her, she walks forward. Confident. She just knew that she was having all the strings in her hands. At least in her head that was the case. Confidently she enters House Holvell.

More guards are waiting on the ground level, three of them are waiting at the foot of the staircase to the second floor blocking an easy path forward. Servants and soldiers are all on guard here, especially as to their knowledge you are not to be setting foot in the home

Nora walks towards the staircase, looking at the posted guards as if they weren't there. As she gets closer she talks to them but doesn't stop. "I have an invitation. And if you stand in my way, you just risk ending up as fuel for Octavian's Blood Fountain. With your master's head on a stake next to it. So step out of my way so his head and his servants blood will decorate this place."

(Talk/cha)

(13)

Caught between two night kin the guards chose to obey the one that will kill them for disobeying rather than the one that might kill them. They move out of the way and allow you to access the upstairs where the house elder and her few kindred have made themselves home in the library

Nora enters the library and bows towards the elder, still not completely acting like an elder herself. "Your invitation ended up being a prolonged annoyance of little obstacles. Interesting considering the situation you are in, and the situation you maneuvered our kind into. So why don't we change from playing games to talking? Would you be so kind to offer me a seat? My night wasn't much of a pleasure so far, so please let us have a conversation that will be a pleasure for us both." A fake smile forms on her face.

They say nothing but its clear if you sit down they cannot stop you, and will listen to what you have to say

Nora shoos away one of her kind by waving with her fingers. She takes the now empty seat and sits down. Looking at the elder of house Holvell. Almost staring at them. "I see, talking might not be as much of a strength of you at least compared to violence. I would love to start this conversation with a soft song on my violin, but I guess you.." She gesticulates with her hands. "...you aren't into these tidbits of masterful art." She leans back a bit. "So, someone attacked House Orniferous, and others, but let's stick to the attack on Octavian's house. During this attack my creator was killed, I assume it was an accident, collateral damage one could say, and you better don't make me doubt this assumption. Well, the murder of my creator brought me onto the board, as Octavian called me to see the mess for myself. Fast forward and some delicious moments of torture and finding a tape later, Octavian assumes it is you who send those hunters. And I do know it was you, because one of your goons confessed, after I broke him, he was begging for me to end it, I kept him suffering." She flashes her fangs. "Now I am here to investigate you. Secretly. Which I obviously don't do. Now you may ask yourself what that is the case and why I am here at all. Well Octavian, not just killed most of House Orleanu, and couldn't protect the House's elder from your Hunter's attack. No, he also felt like showing me that he didn't like how much I said about his assets. So he killed my newest servant, one with tasty sweet blood. And he didn't just send someone to kill her, no, they made sure the interior of the car is ruined with her sweet blood. Too much is too much. He needs to die. And we need to cleanse our kind to enter a new age, one where we can focus on our immortality again and don't need to bother with fighting each other. So after listening to what I had to say. Tell me, what was your plan. Was it really banking on the fact that all houses leave the planet before you release the tape? Because releasing the tape would be risky for you as well, no matter how remote you may live."

“We are removed from the dangers of the city here. The woods around this home are filled with kilometers of traps and we can easily watch the road. The rabble can be easily dealt with. We promised the hunters that we would only feed on prisoners and others that society doesn’t want in exchange for leaving most of the population alone. Someone had even suggested a blood farm where the homeless are knocked out and kept alive to endlessly produce for us and the hunters seemed to think that was a fair compromise “

6:44 AM

“With the bulk of our kind and the excesses theyd heightened to removed with them, we would not have a perfect system but it would be better than it is now”

Nora has to gag at the thought of drinking from a homeless person. But even if drinking out of bloodbags is something she would definitely despise, as it feels unnatural, they still share the goal of skimming through the Vampire populace to truly return to the shadows and reign Tece without the humans knowing. She wouldn't play in clubs anymore, but a streamed show, that could be something, maybe. After a moment of thinking she starts to talk again. "I like your plan, some of it. Do you really plan to drink bottled homeless blood?" She frowns. "That is not a pleasant thought. But you missed one part in your plan. The one that the other houses will get to know that it is you. They will attack before the two weeks end. How do you plan to react on this? Open fight? Or do we want to lead them into a trap?"

"As we said, we are prepared to hold out. We will fight alongside our human auxiliaries. Blood is blood, the taste is the same, and we will ensure modern medical technology keeps our stocks free from disease. "

"Holding out against them all? I could also send a message to Octavian that your hunters will bring the message online in just two days. Once I get the Information where the evacuation port will be, we could go there and kill them all, in one spot. Wouldn't that be better than waiting for them?"

"Can you explain this plan in more detail? It's going to take a lot for us to leave our secure fastness here"

Seeing their interest, she can't suppress a smile. If things happen, it would be the biggest play, something that needs a great song. It could be the new dusk for her kind that she is hoping for. "Oh, I surely can and will. See, Octavian still thinks I am working for him. So if I tell him that your reaction to a possible evacuation plan and the heightened activity to try and find the hunters, would be an earlier release of the tape. In three or four days. They would have to press for the evacuation. And while they do, they won't attack you. Once I get the location and time for the evacuation, we could strike. So you could send a good amount of your family and mortal auxiliaries to attack the spaceport and kill every Elder present. While we sit here and enjoy the beginning of a new age." "And while we do, I will tell Octavian to attack this house, with the Elders at the port and this house being stripped of its defenses, it will become a blood bath. And should Octavian die side by side with the Elder of House Holvell, well then I would have gotten rid of everyone who hurt me, who wanted to humiliate me. There will be a new dusk."

"I don't think we have the numbers to take on all that at once. The woods are trapped and would serve to thin down the numbers. I do have something I'd like to show you though if you're looking for a bit more of a personal revenge"

Her eyes widen. Revenge. A word she didn't use so far. But it truly is what she wants. Revenge. Two Elders are on her list. One sits in front of her, the other most likely is already packing his things. Octavian and the Elder of House Holvell. Both will pay. And she will be the collector of a debt that isn't about money, but blood. And it will flow. If House Holvell helps her to take out Octavian, then she is all in. "Show me." She says, while she doesn't even try to suppress her excitement.

A drawer opens and she presents a very ornate handgun to be placed on the desk. In her other hand is a magazine of rounds filled with a bright blue luminous substance. "UV rounds. The glass tips break on impact with a vampire's body. There is nothing to dig out, this delivers a caged, fatal dose of UV directly into the soft tissue. It has taken my engineers months to come up with something this potent, and we had help from the humans who perfected the chemical mixture. These are engineered rounds, meant to eliminate our kind in a direct hit or two"

The luminous blue of the bullets reflects in Nora's dark eyes. For a moment she just stares at it. Before putting gloves on and taking both the gun and the magazine. "That is dangerous. An outstanding weapon, and a warning alike. So you trust me enough to deliver a killing blow? Good. As that will happen. Are your hunters equipped with such ammunition as well, I mean if they helped develop it, that will most likely be answered with a yes, but don't you fear so much power in the hands of the mortals?"

"They have the chemical solution, we know how to make the casing and delivery system, Both sides need the other one. We know how many rounds are issued "

Nora leans back in her seat, with the pistol and magazine in her gloved hands. Showing her acknowledgment by a nod. "That is quite a good way to handle this. I have to say I didn't think you'd be that cunning. Considering what one hears about you. But this is quite remarkable. Taking the head off the beast, will make them a leaderless bunch. They will feel fear, they will be like mortals, fearing for their immortality to end." Nora stashes the magazine and pistol, separated from each other. As she looks up again, she sees a grandfather clock in the corner of the room. Out of the finest would with beautiful carvings, but also with the time shown. Dawn was almost there. "Will I find shelter here for the day?"

"If you desire it. I understand your vehicle needs some detail work. My servants would be happy to oblige if you will permit it"

"A place to rest would be all I need." She says before looking down. "Don't touch the car. It will be one of the puzzle pieces that remembers myself, why I am doing this. He won't see another night once I leave. So a bed would be great. But before I get to enjoy your hospitality. Tell me, what do you think is our purpose, how should we use our immortality?"

"Our purpose is to use our long lives to become the most exceptional at whatever it is we decide to bend our talents to. Vampire culture will subtly diffuse across the universe, living on through our craftsmanship, our art, our music, all of that. We do not need to be the open lords of these people. The subtle satisfaction of perfection in everything we do is enough for Holvell"

Nora nods in agreement, wondering how someone savage as the Elder of House Holvell could say something that is exactly how she sees it. "The Elder of House Holvell will die, maybe." she thinks. But for now there was someone else on her list, and she needed to construct a plan. Assassination was nothing she did before, but she will think of something. She just needed a day full of rest. "Wise words, wise words. I should rest now. Would some servant be so kind to bring me to a room? And if it isn't too much to ask, a servant that could stay for a moment longer, my mouth feels so dry."

A servant and a room are provided and the shutters lock the home down as dawn approaches. To their credit, the house seems to be upholding their word.

After quenching her thirst and sending the servant away, Nora lays down. Thinking. Sure she could kill all of House Holvell, but strangely they do have pretty similar views on how their kind should act and find fulfillment. And if everything works out, she could lean back and do what she likes the most, play her violin, be served and drink blood out of a living mortal instead of some blood bag. But it could work, it could all work out. Now she just needs to kill Octavian. Without a real plan at hand. She surely will think of something. She surely will. The next night starts with her preparing her magical songs before she asks to meet some Vampire of house Holvell, any would do. As all she needs are some regular bullets for this pistol.

One of the juveniles, recently turned and full of eagerness to please the household rather than the sense to stay alive to see it done is seconded to assist you. They have brought the pistol caliber ammunition as asked

"You. Do you have some shooting range? Or any animals that roam these parts of the woods at night? Or some remote houses with disposable humans? I, I can hurt people with sound but I never used something mundane as a pistol. And I should do that at least once before it counts." (edited)

"We do have a range in the bar for our human guards to train at. I can take you there if you would like to familiarize yourself"

"Yes, that would be a good start. Please lead the way."

You’re taken to the barn where hanging cans on strings at different ranges present the targets here. No animals or live people are used

Nora loads the pistol with the magazine filled with regular bullets. Her grip is firm, but one sees that she never had a pistol in hand before, at least not to shoot someone. She listens to the basic instructions on how to use the pistol and then starts shooting. Four shoots in quick succession. She indeed hits two cans. But not those she was aiming at. It was obvious that she didn't really know what she was doing. "Well, that is interesting. And embarrassing. Maybe it is because those cans don't feel like real targets. Maybe something more alive could do. Someone that acts as Octavian's double. Some mortal maybe. Do you have some homeless in a cellar? Maybe I should go get one." (Shots were 4 4 7 8 to hit...) (edited)

“A living target won’t make a difference when you can’t even hold the thing right. Use the tip of your finger. Hold it firm. Squeeze gently. Don’t pull. “

2:10 PM

“And hold your breath right before you fire”

She stares at the vampire beside her. How could a juvenile, even if it was one of the house she was guest of, dare to talk to her like that? But she stomachs it, because sadly he was right. Running around shooting, killing people, that will never be something she wishes to perfect. "Don't talk to me like that again." She grabs the pistol as told and shows no trigger discipline at all when she points it at the juvenile. "Like that? Alright, I'll try again." The first shot goes wide, hitting nothing but the wooden walls of the barn and maybe scaring some small animals in the adjacent woods. "Holding my breath you said?" Nora holds her breath, focuses, aims, and then pulls the trigger once. Pling The sound of a large metal milk bottle getting a new hole, followed by another shot and the shattering sound of an old piece of a porcelain vase that now found its end. And the last shot smashes a beer bottle that was placed on a small bench. "I guess that was not too bad, huh?" (7 14 15 15 to hit)

"Your grip is excellent. The breathing control helped you the most. Once you started doing that, you hit all three of your shots. That is the single most important thing a marksman can do for themselves. Breath control. It comes with practice, like everything else. If this plan works, you will have an eternity to practice"

"I'd rather practice other things, and for those I indeed will have an eternity in peace. But thank you. Tell your Elder that we will meet again, in a different world." That said, she leaves the barn and goes to her car. Where she pulls out her compad.

Octavian!

We need to meet. I just got out of House Holvell. What do you think about a meeting, tomorrow night, in the garage where the immortality of Aquilon ended?.

She waits to see if there is an immediate response.

Why is a meeting needed? Send me your proof and we will consider the matter done

"Well, not wanting to meet, huh? Well, you never did, but I do hope you are still trusting me."

Oh of course. I'll give you the proof. It's an item. I have it with me. I feel like I am being followed. So I lay low. Please tell your guards to let me in when I am coming. I guess I will meet you in your mansion?

I do not have time to meet someone who will only expose more of my secrets. The alliance between Oniferos and Racovitza is ended

"How sad" Nora hits the pedal to drive back home. In her mind she fabricated a plan. A way to get to Octavian. As she gets closer to the Mansion her plan is to her liking. It is bombastic. With enough base to blow out Octavian's front door. She slows down and watches the house from afar for a moment, to see if anything looked normal.

The house seems like it is preparing for a conflict or problem. The windows in front have been reinforced and covered in a shapnel curtain from behind. You can see the shadows of many people inside running around, looking to be frantically working

"Good. They might not make it. But inviting mortals into house Racovitza and rebuilding after the great dawning, that has time, decades, centuries. I won't be in a hurry." She drives into the driveway of the Racovitza Mansion. And once she is in the garage she leans back in her seat. There is still blood everywhere. Cora's blood. She waits for one of the houses servants to come and open her door. She looks through the blood stained windshield at the inner garage wall. "Now it is time to go through a dawn to reach the new dusk of vampire civilization. A short moment of violence, followed by eons of art, magic and the drive for perfection. I will prepare, to bring down house Orniferous, and Octavian."

One of the servants and two guards emerge from the house “Master Octavian is not meeting guests tonight. Please leave”

(She is home, at house Racovitza, formerly Orleanu. She is not attacking Octavian right away. Sorry if I wasn't clear) (edited)

(yeah i wasnt' clear)

6:02 PM

You're welcomed home. It seems like everything is normal, but the others are likely preparing for any sort of attack by hunters- as well as getting family heirlooms prepared to go in the case of a needed evacuation

There was still some night left. And her house preparing was a good cover. But she needed to prepare the parts for her plan. So she enters her room and sits down at a pc. Getting a simple plan for a pimp bomb wasn't to hard. The bomb will be the distraction she needs to enter house Orniferous. The casing, and some nails will be easy to acquire, the electronics and a phone to remotely detonate it as well. All could be easily bought tonight. The explosive compound might be a bit harder to get. So she starts a search if there was anyone selling explosives, some black powder can't be to hard to be bought, can it?

(Cleaning chemicals could also be used as accelerants in a pinch, especially if you’re just trying to make a boom. )

11:32 AM

(I think that stuff would be around the house)

(So I never built one or anything like that. So would cleaning chemicals do enough boom to seriously injure people close by and/or blow open a door if detonated close by? Transported in a calzone pizza packaging?)

(So we could do silver nitrate from things that are around and available without leaving the house )

(sounds like a good idea. Will post something tomorrow then)

Nora makes a quick search and pinpoints Silver Nitrate as her explosive. "Silver. What a coincidence." She orders a Calzone and gathers everything she needs for her little pipe bomb. The chemicals, spare pipes and electronics from the house supply, including a phone that would be used for new servants. She never did something like this, so she takes extra care and tries to do exactly as described in the Wikihow article, with all the funny pictures trying to teach her how to do it. (there is actually an article about it, interesting) Once she has the Nitrate done she would eat the Calzone, like a last meal in case something goes wrong, keeping the packaging in the end. She then would check the clock, as it is not a dangerous explosive before adding some other component, and she doesn't want to go to sleep with an instable explosive in her room. She would rather sleep to finish the bomb the coming night, when she actually wants to use it.

You do as much as you can on one day. All that remains is to sleep and finish this device I. The morning as you prepare to use it

The day is filled with dreams. Dreams about Ocativan staring down at a blueish glowing hole in his chest. A hole where Nora hit him with the UV ammunition, and when he looks back at her, he realizes that he made a mistake. The feeling of superiority makes her sleep one of the best of the last decade. Once she reawakens she prepares her magic. She knows it will be of help tonight. And then she returns to her makeshift lab where she tries to mix the substances together. She keeps to the plan of some young mortal who posted it on the internet. She tries to get the bomb to a state where she can detonate it remotely through a simple call of the attached phone. ( I pause here because I don't know if a roll is involved or anything.) (edited)

(i would say a fix/int here for sure)

(7)

You've made the explosive as safely and as powerfully as you think you're able to do it. You would not want to shake it too much anyway.

Nora is happy with the result. It didn't explode right away. If it did, it would have been the mediocre construction plan from this mortal and not her nonexistent skill in explosives. She carefully stores the bomb in the empty Calzone packaging before going to the garage. She doesn't talk to the servants or the other house members. They weren't necessary right now. She takes a clean car. Despite what she told the Elder of House Holvell, a bloody car was just a risk. She couldn't risk getting stopped by a mortal policeman, because the whole care interior was coated in blood. She drives as carefully as she can and stops two streets away from House Orniferous, to order Calzone to her spot. She waits in the car for whomever delivers the Calzone.

"Tece Tacos and Other Nighttime Quisine" delivers the meal. They are aware of the mis spelling in their name and do not seem to care.

11:13 AM

The driver is a pimply faced teenager trying to get by on the rusting pile of bolts that is their car.

She looks at the teenager. "Mortals. Just look at them. So young and already a life wasted. A head full of dreams and desires that they will never fully satisfy. But this one will at least be of use in my plans." She smiles at him as she takes the pizza. "Wait a sec." She opens the trunk of her car, in which the Calzone box with bomb waits. Nora grabs her Violin. "Something short for you." She says as she plays a short melody on her red wood Violin. (Casting Implanted Whim. Implanting desire "Take the Calzone from the trunk of that Lady's car and deliver it to Octavian Orniferous for some great tip.") She hands them the money for the pizza and touches them to implant the desire. (Mental Save to resist. If not resisted, it is a Haze 1 spell, so a Haze check is necessary)

(they do not resist, and i rolled a 1, which is their haze so they snap out of it based on how haze is worded, to me)

1:28 PM

"You want me to do what?" he asks, confused. "Are you going to tip me or not"

(no, they are confused for a round, so it is obvious they are under a spell. But Nora choose a spot a bit away from house Orniferous. After the round you need to roll another haze check, if it is a 1 again, they snap out, if not the spell continues, that is how I understand the wording, but I might be wrong)

(Correct. First time you ask them to do something with the spell you roll a haze check. If the result is equal to or less than the Haze value imposed by the spell, they stand confused and you roll again. If it is less than or equal to the Haze value again the spell ends and they snap out of it. If either the first or the second time you roll higher than the Haze value, they comply as required in the spell)

1:58 PM

(Page 23 CotBS)

(they would comply then since the second time was a 2)

Nora waits for the teenager to grab the explosive Calzone before she closes the trunk. She then races to the Orniferous Mansion. To reach it before the Pizza delivery does. She positions herself so she sees the delivery happen. The pistol loaded with the UV ammunition is hidden in a pocket ready to be used. In case the teenager gets stopped, she could detonate the Calzone prematurely. She hopes for him to get to the Mansion doors, but doesn't bank on it. Her plan is to jump the fence on the backside of the mansion, once all eyes are on the explosion, or better the aftermath of it.

The teenager parks out front and the guards begin to raise their weapons, unsure of what is happening. (I'm not sure how much autonomy he has here to be able to talk and carry this out)

(Well they only have this urge , this desire to deliver a pizza to Octavian, for this big tip that they think they will get. But this is no full on puppetry. So if guns get raised they might want to flee, or have the courage to say that they want to deliver a pizza. If they try to immediately drive away, Nora makes the call, making the car go boom. Or at least that would be what she hopes will happen.)

The delivery driver seems to be trying to speak with them about getting inside to deliver food, but as it is solid food to a home full of vampires, they begin raising their weapons to ward him back, away from the gate

(As Nora is in a position where she sees this, does she see any other guards in the garden area?)

There were guards in this rear area, but they are moving upt o the disturbance at the gate

Nora doesn't want to risk that the driver snaps out off her spell and makes a run for it. Now was the moment for this mortal to have an impact on the future. She makes the call and watches to see what happens. (Mainly to see if it goes boom and if the guards who are still a bit a way rush in to try and help their comrades, so Nora could jump the fence to run towards the mansion unseen.)

There is a delay for a moment. It stretches on a few seconds longer than you would have wanted before the pizza boy vanishes in a cloud of gore and silver dust. the gate is destroyed in the outward fireball. Silver flakes in the air burn the flesh of the Vampire overseeing the gate guards- and they are also dead- punched through by rebar and then saturated with floating silver. Those other guards nearby begin running forward to respond to the attack and assist the wounded. The burning pizza delivery car makes a pillar of flame in the night sky

A smile hushes over her face when she sees the Chaos. It was exactly what she needed. She climbs the fence and runs towards a window. If all windows are closed, she would grab the pistol and try to smash a window with its hilt, so she can reach through the broken window to open it.

The windows are all broken from the force of the blast , you do not need to smash them (but there would be an exert/dex to tumble through)

1:30 PM

(just for point of order, this would be happening after Grim leaves to go look into the hunters)

(okay, good. Exert/dex 8)

The window frame is not an obstacle. You leap through and land in the middle of Octavian’s living room. He is not present but two of his vampiric lieutenants are at the top of the stairs 15m away, trying to return some order to the chaotic scene

(Are the stairs in the living room and the lieutenants are on their way down?)

(Stairs are in the living room, they have not moved anyhwhere yet, this is the scene as you aer rolling in)

Nora looks around and quickly hides behind an object that would conceal her from view. She imagines her beloved violin to be destroyed and would start to cry and shakingly whisper. "Help, help! We are under attack." She uses the first tears and some saliva to smear her make up and frizzle her hair, so even if the guards have seen her before, they would have a harder time recognizing her. She would try to cry, and whisper for help, loud enough so the Lieutenants come to her.

Several shots punch into the couch as they'd seen you come in

She knows this has to end with violence. But before she gets out of cover, she decides that some more protection was needed to aid with her mediocre shooting skills. So she plays a quick cord on her violin. (Casting Personal Shielding Field and maintaining light Focus, new AC is 17)

9:11 AM

(I guess time for Initiative?)

(initiative please)

9:56 AM

(also, you have one magazine of the UV ammo, so let me know when it is loaded)

(Well then it is on. Nora accepts one system strain to flex her immortal reflexes and to go first in this fight.) Nora jumps out of hiding with the pistol in hand. Twelve rounds of UV ammunition will decide her fate, and the fate of Octavian. She looks at the two Lieutenants. Trained in what they do, but they surely won't outdo her. She is better than Octavian's servants. She aims at one of them and pulls the trigger. Forgetting everything she has learned, and more. (1 to hit. Off to a good start) (edited)

The shot hits the floor and a spray of the UV agent within trickles across the ground. THey both look aghast at the cruel nature of the round, and fire their own more traditional weapons in return. (16/5 if that hits, other is a clear miss)

(AC 17 so no hit) "Maybe the distance wasn't right." Nora walks a few steps forward, aims and shoots. Just to miss yet again (5 to hit, 10 UV Bullets remaining) "This can't be." Nora turns for a moment and looks out of the window where she came from. She focuses and with her innate ability to produce sound, she creates a barrage of gunshots outside of the window before turning back to the Lieutenants, shots still firing outside. "Next shot will hit, and kill, and even if you get me, outside are many more to get you, throw away your weapons and get down. This is your last warning! Be part of the next generation or meet mortality!" (The gunshots outside are created by my Petty Sorceries Focus, That lets me do some small shenanigans that don't do anything game changing. But once per game session they can be concretely useful, and that moment is now, with Nora trying to sway them to drop their weapons and surrender. But, as said in the rules "The GM decides whether or not the concrete use proposed for an effect is appropriate in scale.")

"They are outside, and you are here." One of them says, before looking to his companion. "Go check the gate. I will handle the turncoat"

1:53 PM

(one of them would be going outside, making this a 1 v 1 , unless you intervene)

(No, 1v1 gives her some better chances, and she can't pin down the two anyway, should they surrender, so I am good with it) (edited)

The remaining LT remains on the stairs, looking down at you with his own weapon still drawn. "I'm more than capable of ending this. Octavian may still be merciful if you give up now"

"Never" She says while making two more steps forward. Another pull of the trigger sends the third bullet flying towards the LT. (12 to hit, 8 damage, although I think the UV bullets act differently anyway, 9 Bullets remaining)

The shot connects, punching through the business suit he was wearing. The vampire staggers forward as if groggy before falling head over heels and tumbling down the stairs. Blue flame begins to spread across their body as they lie on their back. It burns through the suit and seems to be spreading rapidly across the body. Blackened bones and crumbling teeth are all that remain after a moment, though he screams in the worst agony you have ever heard the entire time.

Nora watches the Lieutenant fall down the stairs. She looks into their pleading eyes and listens to their screaming. All that gets answered by a pitiful look, a frown and a shrug. She gave them the chance to surrender. They didn't do it, now this one was gone. They won't be missed. But the suffering of this Lieutenant reassured her that the ammunition was just what she needed to give Octavian the suffering he deserves. With the guards posted upstairs, she hopes to find Octavian just there, that is why she takes the stairs to get to the upper floor. (I was wrong with Nora's current AC, it isn't 17, it is 19) (edited)

Octavian is behind the desk in his office, calmly reading the evening paper. He seems to be entirely aware of what is happening, and has chosen to remain in this position for the inevitable confrontation, though he does seem a bit surprised to see that it is you.

Nora smiles when she sees Octavian's surprised look. She has the pistol ready, but doesn't point it at him, that would be rude. Instead she takes a seat. She knows he has some tricks up his sleeve, but a bit of talking first is what she desires. "Octavian, surprised to see me? After all that you have done? Killing most of the Orleanu family was, somewhat warranted." She nods in agreement. "Not protecting my Elder, was mistake that you have to pay for. But breaking the alliance with me, killing my servant and ruining my car, that, that Octavian was too much. This is why I am here. This is why your get is in ruins. This is why some of your guards found their end. This is why I had to take what House Holvell had to offer, and this also the reason why you have reached your end. I will be the hand that brings your end. I don't know if house Holvell are the right for our future. I was hoping you are. But your betrayal leads to only one conclusion. Maybe I need to lead them? A decision I will have to make, once you are gone." She points with the pistol at Octavian. "Any last words? And please, don't run away, I will find you! And, don't worry, this special ammunition will make it quick, it won't hurt." (edited)

"All this, over a dead human?" he asks, looking annoyed with you, and like the pistol in your hand is a mere toy. "You've made your point Mistress Racovitza. We can consider the matter concluded between us regardless of who you have pledged to."

"The dead human was just the tipping point. You throwing away out alliance, because you felt like I said too much. That, that was what made me hate you. You know. I would have risked a lot to get rid of house Holvell. I had plans and all. I was hoping for you to lead us into a new, peaceful time, where I can spend my immortality practicing my arts. But that won't be the case. Maybe I have to do that now. Maybe house Holvell will, although, who wants to drink bagged blood of the homeless?" She sighs. "I guess there won't be a sorry leaving your mouth then. No words to change my mind. Just know that I am sick of pledging allegiance to anyone. So, once the bullet leaves the gun, and you find your end. I will simply make house Orniferous, Aquillon and the former House Orleanu, one house. Mine. And once the hunters and House Holvell are gone. I will make sure that our kind behaves. Those who risk of bringing our existence to light, will see the dawn. Being Immortal shouldn't be used to live the life of a mortal. Any last words. Octavian... Racovitza? " She points the pistol at him, finger on the trigger, ready to end it.

"Nothing personal, Kid" There is a blink as he is no longer at the desk, now positioned directly behind you with a knife drawn. (initiative)

(Nora takes another point of strain, to again rely on her superior reflexes to show Octavian who the Mother of three houses will be. Unless he has some trick to counter that, in which case we would roll normally.)

(if it is a psionic or magic effect, he is going to psychic static it)

(It is her focus. So no magic I'd say. Just superior blood.)

(focus is fine then he can't do anything about that. We are in melee though)

Nora turns around quickly, the lack of trigger discipline makes the shot go off prematurely (9/7 8 Bullets remaining). She ends up looking into Octavian's Eyes, about to try and dodge his attack to shoot again. "Don't prolong the agony, Octavian. Just don't move so much. I only need one shot, and it is over. This one was just a warning." (For reference AC19, 11/11 HP , 8UV Bullets remaining, Light Focus(Personal Shielding Field)) (edited)

(missed my attack, was going for a disarm but since I missed nothing happens) Octavian reaches for the gun but your quick reflexes twist it out of his grasping hands. He says nothing, though towers over you in the close press of hand to hand fighting

Nora never had the intention to go so close and personal with Octavian, he just isn't her type. So she tries to get some distance between them. She turns around and tries to jump over the table, miscalculating that this also gives Octavian a good chance to strike at her. It shows that combat was nothing she brought to perfection, like playing the Violin. (Moving out of Octavians range, so Free Attack for Octavian before I can continue my turn.)

(18/2, AC is too high to shock and this still misses)

7:34 AM

His bladed claws sweep at you as you twist away from the combat but he comes out with only a handful of air

She feels Octavian's sweep, she knows she just narrowly escaped it. As she jumps over the table she lands sitting in his chair when she fires her next shot (13/8), before getting up again to be no easy target herself. (7 shots remaining.)

"How many more do you have?" Octavian says, closing the distance once again. "Your luck seems to have finally run out" He takes another swing with his long claws (9, missed)

"Enough." She says as she dodges yet another attack. She can't risk him taking the gun away from her, that is why she yet again backs away to get another good shot at him. (Another free attack for Octavian as she gets away)

(25/7) There is a spray of red as the claw cuts deep. Octavian laughs triumphantly. "Enough is correct. You can still give up"

Nora got out of range of Octavian, but what was the price? Her world tumbles, her breathing accelerates. And there is her blood on the ground. She might just has one more shot. The decisions that led her here run past her inner eye. She sees Octavian's goons, kill most of house Orleanu. She sees her Elder, alive and then dead in Octavian's mansion. She sees an alliance, broken. She sees Caro, cut open, her sweet blood sprayed all over the interior of her car. Now, her blood was on the floor. She is back in the barn. She stands still. She focuses. Nora aims well and holds her breath. Octavian is a porcelain vase. "Yes enough is enough, bastard." She pulls the trigger and sends anouth round of UV ammunition flying. (Crit/9dmg although UV is different, 6 shots remaining) (edited)

(double that 9 as well)

8:11 AM

Octavian staggers. The shot begins to burn him from within as blue fire spreads across his body. He moves forward one ponderous step at a time, claws grasping at empty air as he struggles to maintain himself long enough to fight through the worst of the pain. Burned flakes from his body trail off and dissolve in the air and half his grinning skull is exposed as the flames begin climbing up his face. The claws rake across your dress, tearing some of the hem but you are too fast and he does not come into contact with your body (17 to hit, no shock)

This time she doesn't move. She stares him in the eyes. Her hand shaky, she pulls the trigger again. (4/3, 5 UV bullets remaining) "Suffer. Suffer for what you did. And just meet the dawn that hit you. Die." (edited)

"Maybe. But not today" he says, as he sends another claw in your direction, flames trailing down the fingers to catch you alight as well (22/1, and next round we will need a physical effect save but not right now)

Seeing him holding on to his unlife makes her sick, and another scratch and more blood loss brings her also closer to loosing her consciousness. She just can't shoot at him, with him being so close. She needs more distance to get another clean shot, that is why she decides to yet again get distance between them. (Another free attack for Octi)

(miss!)

Nora sees that Octavian gets slower, this was her chance, but before shooting she stumbles over some bump in the carpet, sending the bullet flying unaimed. (7/7 4 Bullets remaining 3/11Hp) (edited)

8:40 AM

(physical effect save now?)

(Yes please)

(Success! 13v11)

The fire stops spreading and you're able to stamp out the second hand burn. Octavian's hair has caught alight and he weakly takes another swing at you, unable to make contact with you

Nora feels it in every inch of her body. The pain, the bloodloss. Even though Octavian stands right in front of her, she just can't even get the gun in position to hit him, even in his weakened state (0/9 3 Bullets remaining 3/11HP)

Octavian furiously swings back at you (9) as his fine suit catches alight down the other half of his body. His extremities are nothing more than blackened bones barely holding together as he swings at you

"One more time Nora. One more time!" She could run away, Octavian would probably die from what happens to him. But she wants to be there, she wants to see it. She wants to end it. That is why she tries once more to bring some distance between her and what was left of Octavian to get a free shot at him. "I hope the suffering is almost unbearable." (Free attack for Octi)

9misses!)

9:24 AM

"The pain..is...revelatory. I will inflict ten thousand times more than this on you, little songbird"

"No you won't. And I am no songbird! They die, I won't!" Her grip finally gets a bit better as she aims at Octavian, sending one of her last bullets towards him. (11/9, Two Bullets remaining)

(Exert/str)

(5)

(7) Octavian pulls you close as the fire once again begins to spread across the both of you. "There will be no one left, if it is not me" and the flames catch, running down your hair, your back, your arms. (physical effect save)

(Success 14vs11)

You are able to shake him off, as the flames die away and leave you trailing smoke. You get the distance you need for an unobstructed shot.

Nora screams in pain as she backs away. She could feel the burn. This unnatural burn. She shudders as she smells burned hair and skin, her hair and skin. But with some distance she gets into a shooting pose. Right arm supported by the left one. One eye closed for the aiming. Breath held for the shot she sends her second to last UV bullet flying. (Crit!/5 Damage so 10 for the UV) "There will only be me. From now until forever. I will end house Holvell and lead the rest into the Shadows, where we belong, where we can enjoy our immortality, unseen."

Octavian is about to make a retort when the bullet takes him in the throat. The fires intensify before he explodes, showering the entire room in blue flame that catches furniture, books, curtains and the plush carpet. It has an appetite and begins working to devour everything in the room as quickly as it is able, almost to the point of being out of control

Nora quickly holsters the pistol and looks for a small carpet or anything she could use to stop the fire. There is no time to enjoy the exploded Octavian. She didn't want to burn the house down, yet. She still needed to tell the household who their new Mistress is. Octavian, even in death he is giving her trouble.

The flames are spreading wildly and it is beyond the ability of a small carpet to control.

Nora shrugs. "Well, then let it burn. Still need to deliver some message." She leaves the room looking to see if she can find any servants to deliver a message to.

Everyone is fleeing the home as it is now on fire, and you suspect even if you did find someone they'd be more concerned with trying to escape with other members of the household than doing something you told them, vampire or not.

In this case Nora would run down the stairs into Octavian's living room. Open the window she jumped through and try get to her car again.

You're not noticed in the chaos of the burning home. Your vehicle is where you parked it, abet with some soot on the windshield.

She starts the car, uses some washer fluid as she activates the windshield wipers. She would drive towards House Racovitza, but would stop if some fleeing household member runs towards her car.

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

11:15 AM

You see none of the household as you begin to flee. Your entire body feels raw and your once elegant clothing has been reduced to scorched rags. The smell of burned flesh and hair quickly fills the car and this is yet another you are likely going to have to abandon.

(would using the teenager driver as a suicide bomber, qualify for the goal "Use destructive magic to to overcome an obstacle (kill someone or destroy something with magic) "? )

(yes)

Level UP! 3->4
AB 0-> 0 (Still needs 9 Bullets to kill Octavian)
Old HP 11
Rolls (4+4+1+2)+4=15
New HP 15

3 Skill Points
Know Magic 0->1 (2SP)
Shoot -1->0 (1SP)

Spellproficiency 2->2

New Spell Slots: +1 LvL 1 Slot
                 +1 LvL 2 Slot

New Spells!

Ghost Field Emission Level 2
Dopplegänger Manifestation Level 2

Level UP! 4->5
AB 0-> 1 (Finally!)
Old HP 15
Rolls (1+5+2+3+4)+5=20
New HP 20

3 Skill Points
Cast Magic 1->2 (3SP)

New Focus: Vast Erudition LvL 1

Spellproficiency 2->3

New Spell Slots: +1 LvL 3 Slot
             

New Spells!

All remaining LvL 1 spells due to Vast Erudition
Universal Translator Rubric LvL 2
Random Organic Failure LvL 3
Quantum Jamming Field LvL 3
Patterned Energy Flare LvL 2

(edited)

The dark night was not so dark after all with the fire of house Orniferous. Fire Trucks pass her and their blue lights penetrate the soot stained windshield. Pain. Pain is the only word to somewhat describe her current condition. Some blood still runs out of some of Nora's wounds, others had been cauterized by Octavian's foul magic. She was a wreck, and someone will loose more blood than usual tonight to somewhat lessen her suffering. As another Fire Truck passes her car, she starts to think about what happened. Octavian was dead. He got what he deserved, and it was her of all the vampires of Neo Night City who delivered that punishment. He was a fighter, he didn't suffer as much as she wanted him too. He didn't beg for mercy. Heck, he almost killed her. Octavian was a strong person, but he became enemies with the wrong one. Nora knows that his untimely death will leave a hole in Tece's vampire leadership. She wanted change. She killed Octavian. She knows about House Holvell. Nora could lead them to victory. Maybe she could change the rules herself, not relying on some fool like Octavian. Maybe she could be the one who leads her kind into the new dusk, and into the shadows again, from where they can reign over all of Tece's humanity, while using their immortality to reach greatness. Maybe that was the way. And she had an idea, an idea on how to destroy house Holvell. The Hunters would be next on the list, they were mortals after all. Nothing worth mentioning. She reaches the driveway of house Racovitza and parks the car right next to the bloodstained one. Air. One could attack house Holvell from the air. The woods are impenetrable with their traps and them knowing the terrain. But getting there by plane or other means, that could be a surprise. Maybe some firework to give the whole thing some real boom. Maybe she could use Octavian's contacts. Someone of the survivors of his house should know how to contact his Off World contacts. Maybe they are willing to help their new Mistress. Although even the survivors of House Orniferous don't know about that yet. It was an idea worth having, but for now she would need to get out of this car. Everything hurt. She felt like a 100 year old woman. Mortal woman, as she was way older than 100 years. After some hustle she got out and into the mansion, where she sends some servant to her chambers, to act as a snack for later. She then grabs another servant to tell them to try and reach all available numbers of House Orniferous members and offer them shelter. Should some decide to take the offer, she would want to talk to them when the next dusk arrives, as she now needs some sleep. And that was what she did. Go to her room. Drink. Dismiss the servant. Take a shower and go to bed, interested to see if once she wakes up, members of House Orniferous would wait in the Dining Room.

(anything you wanted to have prepped if so?)

(Except for her magic, where I just updated her readied spells, no she would not. Totally would sleep and see what happens.)

By morning it seemed as though any survivors have scattered to the winds rather than serve. To the best of anyone’s knowledge the video is still planning on being sent to the entire planet

Nora sleeps well through the day. A day filled with vivid dreams, of her killing Octavian, of her sitting at a long table, with like-minded night kin during the new dusk of her kind. A table with beautiful carvings and a Blood Fountain in the middle. The carvings serve as channels for the blood, with small taps at each seat, so they can all fill their crystal glass tumblers at will. There is unity and the strife for perfection in whatever each of them is interested in. With a smile on her face she reawakens once the shutters open, just to prepare her magic and leave her chambers. With nobody of the former House Orniferous accepting her generous offer, the potential access to Octavian's outer worldly contacts, ran dry before she could even tap into it. But it wouldn't be Nora if she didn't have another plan at hand to would serve her wishes. The culling of useless members of the Night-Kin and those pesky, knowing Hunters. What she needed was her kind to be desperate enough to try and attack House Holvell. Their ideas didn't strife to far from her own, yet their work with mortal hunters and the idea to enjoy the Blood of the homeless, bottled, or bagged, was almost producing a pain in her fangs. For now she needed three things. Give the remaining Houses the incentive to unite and prepare an attack on House Holvell, which will surely bring dawn to many of the attackers as well. Then she needs to return to House Holvell, and while bragging about the destruction of House Orniferous, she needs to find out where the Hunters hide and how this cruel ammunition was produced. So she could make sure neither the hunters nor the ammunition survives this ongoing purge. Mortals should never wield a weapon so dangerous that it can kill a lesser vampire outright. And lastly she needs to drive into the city to get her hair made into more than a burned farce of a hairstyle. So she grabs a phone, a fresh one, and types a message.

Emergency. House Holvell is behind all of this. The Hunters are theirs. The video, theirs. The attack and murder of Octavian and House of Orniferous, was an attack of them, same with the Elder of Orleanu. We need to strike within the next nights, or the video and their mortal henchmen will be our end. Their fortress is well protected, there will be losses, but it is some versus all of us. And they devloped ammunition to hurt our kind, and shared it with the mortals. Holvell is in this alone.

She adds a picture of her last bullet as a proof, but doesn't mention that it is her. She sends the message to a couple of the remaining house leaders, hoping that they get something started and call her to be part of a potential attack. Everything to cover her tracks. Once the messages are sent she gets to a new car. Drives to the city to get a new haircut before driving towards house Holvell.

Messages needing proof have come back to yo u as the last few meetings have devolved itno chaotic finger pointing. Most nobles are concerned only with protecting their own estates and preparing for the off-world evacuation rather than sending efforts to the common defense. News of the assault on Octavian and his rumored fate- and what it means for the evacuation is also flooding the airwaves from what you can see

Nora parks the car before arriving at House Holvell to type a message back to all of them.

Waiting for the plane
Is a hope that is now in vain

Octavian met the dawn
You are no longer his pawn

Find a new leader to follow
or in self-pity you will soon all wallow

when Holvell's Hunters knock down your doors
and destroy everything that's yours

after that you'll be forgotten
because there isn't even something left to rotten

Holvell's foul weapons will burn you from inside
while in the forests they hide

Laughing at our stupidity
Shall they be the only ones to last for all eternity?
..............................................................

You will get more proof, if possible. Once that is done. Call for a meeting. Find a new leader. And end this threat.

Again she leaves no pinpointable clue that she is the one sending this message. But now she knows that besides finding out about the whereabouts of the Hunters, she also needs some more proof to make the other houses move. A challenge she was willing to take, as her destiny wasn't the stake. Once the message was sent, she started driving again, towards House Holvell.

The consensus seems to be that proof of admission for a meeting is going to rely on evidence, and will rely on the quality of what is gathred. They do not doubt that there were below the table dealings in place, but what, who was touched, and who knew are all things needing to be cleared up before any kind of leader can emerge, lest the council of night take another proverbial snake to its bed.

Nora sadly has to agree with them. An unusual occurrence. She switches the phone off and puts it under the driver's seat, before continuing her drive to House Holvell. She has high hopes that they will, this time, greet her with open arms, because they should know that it was her, who brought the end to Octavian. But it wouldn't be the first time that her hopes had been crushed.

The guards do not bother you as you enter the compound, nor are they especially respectful. You're permitted to park, and the door is opened for you.

Not what she expected, but they also didn't annoy her by stopping her, or other ridiculous behaviors. So she marches in, directly to where she met the elder of house Holvell, the last time they met.

Things look little different though some of the books have been packed away and taken elsewhere, for safe keeping or evacuation depending on ho the next days go

"Afraid are you, huh? You should be, I'll deliver your end, you will realize when it is too late." An honest smile forms on her face as she approaches the first person she sees. "I'd like to talk to the Elder."

They will attend you in the office, we will send word. Please wait for her there"

Nora nods, doesn't bother to even say a thing to the servant. She walks to the office, takes a seat, and waits. For the next elder on her list.

Elder Holvell enters the room and looks both surprised and somewhat relieved to see you- a great difference from the last meeting the two of you had.

5:45 PM

“You’ve returned. You’ve done what you promised and so much more. I trust the accord between us is secure, then?”

"But of course, it is. And I can assure you, it was a great show. A bombastic one. It had it all, drama, explosions and the total destruction of the stage. Almost like a rock concert. And Octavian is dead. He exploded in front of my eyes. But sadly my hair got burned as well." Nora points at her undercut, that she wears on one side of her head now. "I came here to share that with you and to ask you if I could get some more of your ammunition, so my family can protect themselves, in case other Houses ever try to turn on us. But I guess nobody actually knows that it was me who killed Octavian and destroyed House Orniferous." (technically, the message of Grim would have been sent last night, but well, that would have changed a lot. So shall we say the message arrives right now, during the talks of Nora and the Elder of House Holvell?) (edited)

(that is fine)

The talk is suddenly interrupted by Nora's compad ringing. Something she doesn't expect. She just wants to take a quick look before continuing to talk. But a quick look turns to a baffled one, which then turns to an angry look on her face when she sees Octavian and reads his message in auto-created subtitles. She hands the compad to the Elder of House Holvell. "This can't be. I hit him with your ammunition. He went boom. There was nothing left. He can not possibly still live. Unless. Unless it was his foul magic. But maybe it is just some dead man switch. An automated message upon his death. Because he doesn't mention meeting him, but someone else instead. You can't go. He knew. That is what he told me. He was surprised that it was me who came to kill him. He was expecting someone from your house. I could go there, but if it is really him, he would let somebody kill me. What do you think?"

"I think we need to know for sure. I think we have to see who arrives, and what they want. It's too much risk to not know what will come out of that Lamplighter facility in the north"

"And if it is indeed Octavian" Elder Holvell says, pressing another magazine of UV ammunition onto the table. "I believe you need to finish the job"

Nora leans back, thinking. She can't hide that she is worried. She can finish the job. Sure, no problem, she did that before. But as it seems not completely. But if it is Octavian who sent this message. The living Octavian. Then she will never leave that old base. She will die there. But what options does she have? Not going, and staying with those who see a future in draining homeless people? Not an option, Holvell will die. She herself set things into motion already. Nora sighs once she realizes that there is only one option left. Going to that Lamplighter Base, of which she didn't even know it was in service again, seemed to be the only option. Banking on the fact that she did it right. That this all is a dead man switch situation. That this message was automated and that he is actually dead. It had to be. It must. If not it was her death, but then it would be anyway. She grabs the magazine and nods. "Yes. So, do you want to come with me, albeit the risk involved if he is alive? I will go there regardless, to finish my job or observe what is going on."

"I will be going to the meeting, after you. I need to oversee the final collection of some of our books and records to be sent north in the event our alliance with the hunters crumbles. We have had some disturbing reports of a rogue vampire assaulting two of our safehouses, killing many. It is entirely possible this will be seen as a breach of the truce even if we had nothing to do with it"

"Ah rogue vampire." She smirks. "Seems like everyone send in some tools of their own. I hope no data breach occurred?" She gets up, waiting for an answer and preparing to leave.

"If it did, we won't know for some time. Best of luck out there, we will be seeing you soon"\

"See you soon." Nora, with an uneasy feeling, leaves house Holvell to make her was to the old Lamplighter Base.

(Okay, just checking in with dearest Grim to see how things look up there as people arrive, and we'll get you two together)

(perfect! Nora is prepared. Spells are ready and unused, she will cast Personal Shielding Field before leaving the car. So that will be up and running. Violin is ready. Pistol is with her and two magazines. One with one bullet. One with the full 12 shots.)

(for ease we can just say with that one magazine, every shot after the UV one is a regular round, just in case)

A phalanx of battle robots line the road from 200km outside neo night city all the way to the lamplighter base to the north. Other cars are also on this road and also seem to be slowing down to gawk. The robots do not seem to be doing anything other than standing sentinel.

7:25 AM

Lamplighter flags hang from their weapon mounts and upon reaching the polar facility you follow a lit path in the floor down to a conference room. A robed figure ( @Soren (Grim) ) sits at the meeting table with some mortal attendants behind him. They’re very well equipped and each seems to be a different specialty.

As Nora passes the robots that line the street, she isn't slowing down to gawk. That was a type of technology that was displayed during the last years. And if someone has reawakened it, it was going to make her chances of surviving the next attack on Octavian, pretty low. But she also still isn't convinced that he was still alive. His death and his reactions felt so real, why would he have reacted that way if he had a chance to return? She won't know until she knows. That was for certain. She plays a short song to activate her Personal Shielding Field after parking the car. Nora hopes this one wouldn't be ruined like the last ones, as she thinks that, she leaves it. Any mortal trying to tell her to do whatever, is ignored. None of them should even have the right to talk to her without her ordering them. She follows the lit path, deeper and deeper, into the liar of the beast until she reaches the conference room. She feels the loaded pistol at her thigh. Was that robed figure Octavian? No, she never saw those mortals before. He must be the one Octavian talked about. She gets ready to draw the gun, if needed, as she approaches the robed figure, with grace and an openly portrayed sense of superiority. "Henchman of Octavian Orniferous. I need to talk to your master. Now. Tell me where I can find him."

Grim pulls down the hood so it is no longer covering his face. “I am Torgrim, Lightbringer and leader of the Lamplighter Foundation and I have no master. I am sure you have many questions and I plan on answering them. Please be seated so I can begin my presentation, there will be time for questions at the end and you may ask anything you still have unanswered then.”

Nora lets Grim finish, looking annoyed, like always. She ins't impressed by his introduction. "You did listen to what I said, right? I did not have many questions. Just one. And I want it answered. Because it is important. So you who have no Master. Are not an elder. And..." She tries to get Grim's odor. "... are no Mortal. Do as I told you and tell me where Octavian is."

Grim initiates telepathic contact Sit down! Your question will be answered during the presentation. I won’t ask nicely again.

Nora makes a step back, one hand grabs for the bow, the other for the Violin, she doesn't get the Violin up to her chin but is ready to do so. She is visually shocked by the voice in her head. She tries to numb her thoughts before regaining composure. Getting her, unprepared like that, makes her furious. She gets closer to him and tries to whisper into his ears. "I don't know who you think you are, space boy. But I did not give you permission to enter my head." The following sentence is almost spoken with a growl, and her fangs are extended. And blood-red eyes. "The way you talk, might be how you talk to your mortal dogs. To those you ram your fangs into, and enjoy them. But dare you talk to me like that again. Dare you. You stand below me, space boy. You might be Octavian's pawn, but you aren't him. So if you want to have your speech, behave. Talk to me from the position you are in, are all that is left to hear from you, will be the gurgle sound you make once your throat has been ripped out. Understood? So you wanted to tell ask me politely to find a place to sit down, accompanied by you helping me, and then you will talk, right?" Her gaze is piercing. Her smile is fake and sinister. And her fangs are ready to bite. But still, deep down, his mind invasion, did make her afraid, afraid of someone getting to the secrets in her head, without her standing a chance to defend against that. To cover her fear, she chose aggression.

Grim chuckles a little at the display and then walks away from her towards the podium to begin his presentation to the elders. (Will pause a moment to see if Nora does anything or if she lets me continue)

(Nora jumps at Grim, rips his throat out, kills him and then walks away laughing fanatically. Or not.) Nora stares at Grim walking away, way longer than necessary. She sees it as her triumph. Showing him that she is Mistress and he just a lowly juvenile. Someone who doesn't compare to her. Even with his foulish magic. In that moment she forgets that she told him to ask her nicely, and that he may just didn't want to continue talking. She talked him down. That was for sure. She takes a seat and looks at him. That is when her deep rooted angst kicks in again. What if he uncovers her secret now and is going to kill her in front of them all? What kicks in is the all present fear of meeting the dawn. But no that can't be. His presentation will surely be moot and pointless.

“Welcome my fellow Lamplighters, as well as any who house leaders who may be unaware of the history. My name is Torgrim or Grim for short, I am the current Lightbringer and leader of our organization. Let me begin by showing you the state of the Iron Stars.” The screen behind Grim shows a map of the known polities and their controles space, Grim then goes through each polity briefly. Following that he goes into known threats both current and recently defeated (such as ghouls, still lady, PMG, Extaurren, etc) at the end of the threat slides Grim shows video of the battle with the Planet Cracker. “As you can see the situation for yourselves, the ability for Tece to remain independent and unmolested is no longer feasible. I would like to propose our joining the Elysium Protectorate. They are nearly on our door anyway, and our approaching them will enable it to be more on our terms, I also have friends there. However, this also means changes to our society. No more killing of innocent humans, you can have your pets you drink from as well as your house servants but nothing that draws attention. As such I want to discuss the local problem” Grim then presents slides on the Hunters, he has samples of their weapons such as the bullets, silver, and silver powder brought out. “I have dealt with several of their facilities, but House Hovell has been working with them.” Grim then shows the evidence. “I am not interested in revenge but this needs to stop. Additionally, Octavian was attacked and killed. I apologize for the deception but it was the quickest way to get you all here. Again I am not interested in revenge, but with his death I will be rebuilding the house there and taking control of his staff and assets. So here are the options you can rejoin the lamplighters, you can continue to maintain your houses, but will turn over all lamplighter related documents and artifacts you will also be subject to my laws. Blood will be provided for those who join me”

1:28 PM

“Alternatively you can decline, you will be allowed to leave in peace, but tomorrow we are at war and I will hunt you down and destroy you”

Nora looks around, trying to see if the the Elder of House Holvell is among the Elders present. And, before going at this, Grim, for forcing them under his law. She wants to see how the others react.

Holvell is present, and as she begins to stand up two of the battle automota block the door, preventing her from leaving by their armored bulk. Shouting, jeers and cries of "Traitor!" fill the room as the other nobles rise from their seats, on the verge of springing forward to pull her apart by her limbs

Grim attempts to diffuse the situation “Let her speak. Let her tell us why she did what she did. If she tells me everything, who she is working with and helps root out the hunters she may yet live.”

Nora sees them all jumping on the Elder of House Holvell, like animals and all only becaue this space boy was telling them something. He wasn't wrong, that much she has to give him. House Holvell is behind the attacks. And she also told the Elders just that. But still, that newcomer who claims the return of the Lamplighters, and demonstrated it with his battle toys, was not to her liking. And the fact that the Elder of House Holvell could uncover her alliance. So she steps forward. No matter what the risk. It has to be by her rules. Nora stands up. Her voice comes out of every speaker in the room. Loud and clear. "Stop it! You fools. Look at yourselves. Thirsting to kill one of your own, just because he said something." She points at Spaceboy. "I worked together with House Holvell, and I am not ashamed that I did. They were my only chance to set things right. To kill Octavian Orniferous for what he did. And I succeded, that is why it is not him sitting here to force his rules on us, but this one, with his show. And his Robots. He didn't find a bigger signpost to tell the people of Tece that something is going on here. I wouldn't wonder if the Hunters get here to attack us any minute. Or better, wait until we all want to return home. You must have been gifted with immortality by Octavian himself. House Holvell made a mistake. They involved mortals and developed weapons with them. But their motives, their motives are good. Look at many of your Houses at members that are so obviously part of the mortal sphere that the discovery of our existence is only a matter of time." She points with her fingers at various houses. "Our gift, is immortality. We are way above any mortal. We can reach perfection in whatever we want. Yet so many strife for a life that is just a mortal life with benefits. That is disgusting. House Holvells apporach of using the mortals to kill you all while hiding in the forest, might be a bit over the top. But in its core, they are right. Our place are the shadows. I enjoyed standing in the light, being looked at by the mortals. Seeing that they never enjoyed music as perfect as mine. But the light is not our place. The new dusk of our kind, is a return to the shadows. Controlling the mortals but not walking among them at all times." "Joining a larger nation might offer us new chances, in that point I agree with the spaceboy. But don't let him easily force rules on us. We rule here, he is a guest, reawakening a group of the past."

“I am running the LLF of course I have robots, in no way would that make someone suspicious about vampires. Burning down a vampire household however drew plenty of attention. Luckily I was able to pay off the right people to keep it quiet. Nora is a threat to our existence and clearly unhinged.”

She turns towards Grim, her face shows disgust, for a short moment, fear sparks in her eyes. Nora knows that if this goes bad, she gets lynched like the Elder of House Holvell. The only thing that matters to her, is her own survival. "Unhinged? I am unhinged? My actions might not be too easy to understand for anyone. But you all try to jump on House Holwell because the mortals attacked some of us. Octavian walked into my house and murdered half of my family. Just to show us that he is the boss. To make sure we don't act up. And he was surely on his way to do the same to the other Houses as well. Some of you may have similar stories to tell. And now this spaceboy..." "the Lightbringer" She says derogatorily. "tells us to follow him or to kill us all. By bringing the light and us the dawn. All of you, don't you see this. We can't allow an outsider to rule over us like that. Not on our world! Lamplighters or not, his rules may be the ones our kind follows in the Iron Stars, but we can't let someone like him be our leader here. May he be the face, but our world, our rules, our reign. He will not be the ruler of the shadows. This can't be what you all want!"

“If we wish to continue our existence without incurring the wrath of the Galatean Polities we need someone to enforce rule and ensure bodies aren’t littering the streets and mass numbers of civilians go missing. Otherwise we will end up like the Ghouls. None of you would accept any rival house as this position. I also am the only one capable of enforcing the law. My rules will be simple, don’t draw attention, don’t murder humans that don’t belong to you, and provide me access to your libraries of knowledge. Now is the time to decide, houses please let me know your decision.”

Nora doesn't say a thing and watches how the other Elders react to this whole discussion.

Right now the comments made in the room signify the following: Claims made by Grim seem a bit fantastical, or overly optimistic. There is as much fear and dread for the future as there is opportunity- especially a many new ways to kill a night-kin have been discovered so recently. There is some concern about oversight by a group powerful enough to leash several planets to their will - a feat of incredible difficulty in this post Scream age. How can the Lamplighters help them avoid notice of a government that powerful? What tools and capabilities will they be given in exchange? For Nora- She has been an unhinged presence at several meetings, breaking the order, and has now exposed the secrets of two of her overlords- both Octavian and House Holvell. It is an understood polite secret that each house has indiscretions in its past or dealings they do not wish exposed to the public- but to have them outed so casually by someone who knows nothing but their own interest

Nora knows that the accusations, the open ones and those behind closed doors, aren't wrong. She doesn't care for them. She despises most of them. Not as bad as mortals but still. But as it stands now, nobody was about to jump her. She keeps quiet to see what the Lightbringer has to say. Thinking about her options now. (edited)

(I wrote something but it disappeared)

10:14 AM

“The Elysium Protectorate is going to be here any month, whether you like it or not. There is precedent for letting worlds keep a semblance of their previous government. They are also my friends. The reason for me being in charge is to ensure the house don’t do things like commit mass murder of humans that get us noticed and hunted like the ghouls. What you get in return is dependent on what you contribute. Help the lamplighter mission, prove you can follow the rules that will keep us all safe and we can talk opportunities. But it’s up to you. Join or don’t. But you have seen the proof, Tece has no chance of remaining isolated.”

"You said you take away our libraries. At least the literature you find interesting. What do we get in return? A say in planetary politics?"

“You know we have modern technology that can copy any digital files and scan in and hard copy documents. I just need access to anything that will help accomplish the LLF mission which is what most of the elders originally signed up for. Aside from not murdering innocent humans or doing anything else that will draw unwanted attention I am not making a lot of demands here. What you get in return is to continue your eternal existence without be hunted down by interstellar polities like what has happened numerous times to other entities they decided were threats.”

"So follow leader or meet the Grim Reaper, it is then? Well I guess House Racovitza opens their library for you. Will you come in person?"

Grim grins “I wonder if I did, would you try and murder me like you did Octavian? What you fail to understand is I was born into conflict, you were born into luxury. I never expected to live to adulthood, where you have always expected to live until eternity. If you want to see the Reaper then wish granted.” (Going to psychic assault if Neko allows. I have the contact from earlier, but if we don’t want to count that I could still instantly contact and main action assault)

"One question" One of the elders says from the assembled group. "We strongly believe seeing now what you have shown us that you were indeed Octavian's off world contact. Do you have any proof of this that we can see for ourselves?"

2:49 PM

(I understand mechanically you can assault in either case, but taking Nora out of the scene before she's become actively hostile feels a little wrong to me)

(That is fair.)

The elders question breaks the tense interaction and Grim responds “If you are asking to see a space ship then sure. I have one here. It isn’t anything too fancy. There is a space station in orbit that is much more impressive we could tour, or we could also tour the shipyard in orbit if you would like?”

(I think a tour of the ship to prove this isn’t like an elaborate prop will probably be enough , assuming Nora doesn’t have any objections or add anything new for them to think over)

Nora is out of options. She knows that. So far it seems like she averted death. But she can't see a way around the spaceboy becoming their leader. An obscure thought as she can't remember if they ever had a real leader. If it was for good or worse didn't actually matter. She needed to adjust. If she wanted to get the most out of it for herself, she needed to do a 180 and be nicer to Spaceboy. As they stand up for the tour she walks over to him. "Spa... Elder Grim. I am sorry for the suboptimal start between us." She puts on a fake smile to ease possible tensions. "I hope there is no bad blood between us. Killing your creator was a feud between Octavian and me. This doesn't need to affect our ongoing relationships. I was simply afraid that you are like him. But I guess you will prove that you are not and will be a guest in my mansion whenever you visit Tece. You would surely enjoy my music. I guess we shouldn't keep the others waiting, as they seem to be eager to see your space ship."

“There is no bad blood. This is a difficult transition. Octavian was a friend, but he is gone now and seeking revenge could fracture any hope of bringing Tece into the future. As long as you can avoid displays that draw public attention going forward that is enough for me.” Grim then brings the elders to the ship. He tours the various rooms, spending the most time at the spike drive and the bridge.

Nora traverses through the ship. Technology never interested her much. And the coldness of the metal insight the ship is also not to her liking, as is the bad acustic. Still she knows she has to be somewhat nicer to the Lightbringer if she wants to have a safe and prosper eternity ahead of her. Once she gets a chance to get to Grim, she does. Putting on a happy face and talking in a joy filled tone. All that while she still feels that gun filled with Night-Kin death. "This is indeed a space ship. I mean a beautiful one. I can't imagine leaving Tece. It must be hard to go unnoticed on a world that experiences more sunshine. How do you cope with that?"

Grim let’s put a friendly laugh “A lightbringer afraid of the sun would be ironic. But to answer your question I do not need to cope with it. I can walk freely under the light of day.”

An almost pityful look forms on her face. "Mhmm. Some say those of us who can walk under the sun are strong but not made for the fine arts, if you know what I mean. But you seem to be pretty cultured. How many of those ships do you call yours?" Men always want to brag about their cool toys. He will surely be the same. In the end he is just a dumb daywalking vampire.

“Currently, there is this one, another the same size that just left the production line, a trade vessel, and the station in orbit. There are a couple more being built. The fleet was significantly larger, but we lost 4 ships fighting against to planet cracker. Ships can be replaced however, planets can not.” (edited)

"Impressive, and immortality can't be restored either. So, one can say we are lucky that you survived. I guess you convinced the other Elders as well. I guess tonight we'll have a blood feast, to celebrate this all?" She extends her fangs.

“We can feast, but it would be bad form to start things off by violating the first rule of avoiding mass murder. I have large supplies of stored blood, and you are free to drink from your servants.”

"So you drink bottled blood then?" "Weakling." she thinks "That is good, I guess. We will follow your rules of course." She reaches out with her hand. "To friendship and immortality?" (edited)

“Mostly, I kill when needed and have spilled plenty of blood, but only as needed. To friendship.” Grim shakes her hand. (edited)

"I should play you some song tonight. I do have the finest music ever written for a Violin in my repertoire. Music so emotional it can make your heart stop. Metaphorically of cause. I guess I occupied you enough. Maybe the others have questions, but I feel like..." She leans closer to Grim to whisper. "I feel like they are going to lick your shoes."

“I would love to hear the music sometime. As for the elders I don’t need sycophants, I just need everyone to stop drawing so much attention before we all end up dead”

"I can agree on that." With the brightest smile on her face she says. "And don't you worry, I won't lick your shoes. You can be our leader, but here you are an equal among Elders. We will follow your rules because they ensure our eternal life. But I won't bow." She looks at him for a moment before continuing. "Shall we see what the other Elders have to say? I guess you can't wait to be the crowned Lightbringer of Tece."

“Let’s see what they have decided. If everything is agreeable I will contact the Protectorate and enter negotiations”

If the hunters can be stopped and their planned broadcast can be terminated, the nobles will agree to join, as it will guarantee their safety

“The broadcast they we’re planning to release I have intercepted. I have destroyed most of their communications equipment. If House Hovell has any information that can lead me to any remaining cells we should be able to end this”

"I will give the information on one condition, and you will be wise to fulfill it if you wish to see the end of this crisis"

“Keeping the rest of the houses from tearing you apart isn’t sufficient? We’ll go ahead then, let’s see if the condition is reasonable.”

"Keeping them from attacking me here, sure, but long term the house will not survive on this planet. We need to be moved to another world"

“I am sorry but no, you have not proven trustworthy here. If we move you, nothing stops you from betraying us here as you have already tried. Also, I don’t trust you not to mass murder on a new world. Finally you would potentially turn large numbers and try to return here and start a war. My initial offer remains firm, if you do not give us the information we need to stop this threat to us all, expect my forces at dawn.”

"I will see you at dawn. I hope you are prepared for a bloodbath. My choices are try to resist and strike a better deal, or submit now and be gradually taken apart over the coming months. Holvell will fight"

“Sorry Nora, the feast will have to wait. Are you with me or House Hovell? As for everyone else I promised you could all leave freely and I keep my word. Once I have finished house Hovell and the hunters I will contact you so that we can move forward.”

(their elder is going to leave unless you were planning on stopping them)

(Grim will attempt level 4 telepathic contact on the house Hovell elder before he leaves. Trying to obtain information on his house defenses)

2:16 PM

(Not going to stop him though)

Nora doesn't need long to decide. Staying with Holvell meant death. Meeting the dawn. Something she tries to keep away from her. So siding with the new leader was obvious. But while she wants some of her kind to find their end during this bloodbath. She didn't want to find hers. So she tries to find a simple excuse for not fighting. "I'll choose you, Lightbringer. But my meeting with Octavian still has me in a weakened state. So I don't think I will be ready to fight. You know, wounds need time to heal."

(pass, 14 v 10)

“. Safe travels to you elders and especially to you Elder Hovell, I hope you enjoy your last night ever” (edited)

(Made some changes after talking to Dai)

3:10 PM

Grim uses his abilities to heal Nora’s wounds “No problem Elder Nora. You should be feeling much better now”

Nora looks baffled. She fishes for words. This was a situation she didn't think of. She is afraid of attacking House Holvell, and afraid that the Lightbringer might bring her dawn after all. "Uh. Thank you. I, uh, guess I am feeling better now. We, uh, should plan the attack." "Why have you done this, you monster!"

“Any intelligence you may have from your trips there would be useful.”

She looks around to make sure House Holvell's Elder isn't present anymore. "Coming from above. The forests are trapped. But if we come from above and skip said forest. We could avoid some of their strength. Well and don't get hit by their ammunition." Nora gets out her gun, removes the magazine and lets its bullets shiny side show. "This is pure death for us. It made your creator go up in flames."

“I probably should have built some aerospace fighters. I guess we could fly my ship over and paradrop in. Should be fun”

(Would you want grim to buy you a storm armor or icarus harness?)

"Your definition of fun is not mine. So much is for certain. I don't even own a parachute. How do you think I get to the ground safely? And while I do have my own little tricks, those heavy armors of yours aren't helpful when you want to play the violin. So is there anything you can do to bring me safely to the ground?"

“We could get you an icarus harness, but then there is also the issue of the sun. I wonder if I could drop my grav explorer out the back of my ship safely “

"Why don't we attack at night?"

“I guess. It kind of ruins my monologue about attacking at dawn, but night it is”

"Night was my idea, Space Boy. So of cause it is a good one. If you get me some parachute suit of yours, I can surely take it off after landing. It might take some time." "Time where I don't get hit and die while others do." "So that would be fine with me. Can't be too hard to use them. And don't forget that I fight at your side. That should mean something for the future. Tho, if I were you, I would have cooperated with house Holvell, and then put silver powder into the ventilation system of the space ship that would have sent them to their new home. Making dawn their new home. But I guess you like it more, loud and messy. Oh and I don't need a gun. It tends to end with a subpar performance. Oh and don't you worry, I won't shoot at you." "Unless I know that it kills you." "So you want to attack later tonight, I guess?"

“Good idea, catch them off guard potentially. Let’s get you a harness then” (grim will purchase it if that’s allowed. Also where on the map is Hovell?)

(there are grav chutes and be dandelion chutes) (edited)

(Going to buy 2 dandelion chutes then if approved)

(comet suits with dandelion systems will let you orbital drop with a high degree of accuracy. It works for people, not vehicles, so we can do that if you're agreed. Their homestead is not on the map since the hexes are very large distances and they're close to the city, but its just outside Neo-Night City. A handful of kilometers)

(I would like to do that if Nora agrees. Will leave Tyr behind. Also the Grav explorer has ghost driver so I was going to have it probe the perimeter then turn back when it starts getting shot at. Basically a feint to distract them from expecting us to drop in)

(ALright, we'll see what nora says when she wakes up just so we're all starting with the same idea)

"He is really going through with it, huh? He wants to see me dead as his revenge, I just know it. But I still have the gun and 13 Bullets of Dawn. He won't succeed in killing me." Nora looks at Grim. Clearly thinking about something before answering. "You surely take vampires of other houses with us as well, right? Or some of your own disposable mortals, right? You surely don't think that I, the greatest musician of Tece, as your only sidekick, will be enough, right? I mean we are enough to stop the Elder and their Leutenants, but all? You send some distraction as well, right?"

“We can take up to 5. But the only other person I know who can handle himself is Tyr. I will send a distraction to probe their defenses. I am starting to get the impression you may really be a violinist, and it’s not just a cover for master assassin. You took down house Onoferos by yourself. Surely these Hovells will be easy work for you.”

"Of course I am a master violinist. And taking down a house is somewhat easier if we bend some rules and sacrifice some mortals as distraction." She rolls her eyes. "But I guess with you that won't happen. Did I mention that music can kill? It really can. And well, if some of those die that we take with us, I guess that is the price for the new dusk." "As long as I am still standing, who cares for the members of the other useless Houses." She thinks with a smile on her face. "So if you say five, we better bring five. The Dusktet. You know, from Dusk and Quintet, quintet a group of five, just in case you don't know." "As you surely don't, Day-Kin."

“If you insist, Param and Raven can come. They are not being sacrificed however.”

7:13 AM

(So I guess I will be getting 5 chutes.)

"Well, then those mortals better deliver. Did I mention that Octavian promised me all of House Aquillon? I guess we can talk about that once this matter is dealt with. I guess I am ready once you hand me something that makes me land safely."

(Its going to be incredibly dangerous , and as they're not a companion, if they're down, they're dead. Are you okay with that?)

(No I don’t want to risk them. Just will bring some randoms. You can even shoot them immediately)

8:42 AM

“Raven and Param are not suited for this on second thought. I will bring a couple of LLF troops”

8:44 AM

“ Also , if you wanted to cash in on his promise maybe collecting before killing him would have been a better idea”

She smiles at Grim. "I get what I want, in any case. Octavians premature death is just a proof for that. I guess it was less a question than a statement for you to know. But we can elaborate that once House Holvell burned to the ground and this forsaken ammunition is destroyed."

“I am ready when you are” (I’m good with starting the attack when you are)

"You made me ready. So I guess I am."

(okay, so grim, nora, and 3 LLF mooks are comet suit/dandelion system dropping on the home, while the ATV with its ghost driver is going to essentially feit attack the gate and try to draw off some of the house security?)

(That works for me)

(yeah sounds good.)

The Lamplighter vessel ascends into orbit with its other passengers removed and sent back to whatever places they make as their home. Aboard, you are heading for the platform the Lamplighters use to pick up the needed reinforcements and gear for the orbital drop onto the Holvell household. It is an impressive edifice in space, and you can see a shipyard and other orbital structures have also been built, another layer of truth to the tale told by this hooded figure, claiming to once again be inheriting the legacy of an old organization.

Nora does have to acknowledge that being in space again is a great feeling. Still, it feels alien to her and not as good as being down on Tece. Nontheless, Spaceboy seems to be who he says he is. But even in that case she can't but to complain about something. "You could play some instrumental music in here. It would make the place less, how to say, mundane. And the metal is also pretty cold." She gets dressed, ready for the fall. Hopefully only for the fall down and the fall of House Holvell, not her own. "So, Torgrim, you have to trust me in this one, same as I will."

Grim greets the Lamplighters who will be joining them. Then begins preparing his gear.

"I see." She says as she holsters the pistol filled with UV bullets, now in a position where she can grab it without lifting her dress. Her Violin and Bow are likewise strapped onto her, so they stay in place on their jump. "Holvell in my front, Spaceboy in my back. I don't like my odds." "I am ready."

(So just a note about comet suits, you suffer some penalties if you keep them on once you land, though it takes a couple minutes to get out of them as you'd expect from a space suit)

7:59 AM

(so you'll want to ditch them once the immediate area is safe upon hitting the ground)

(I also cant cast any magic while I wear them)

(I am good with that)

8:12 AM

Grim checks the jump calculations, makes sure his suit is adjusted correctly and then helps check everyone else’s suits.

Ten minutes from now, the platform will be in position over the Holvell forest. The jump-master reviews everyone's setup one more time before certifying that you are as safe as they can make you. Helmets are slammed into place and the thick breathing mask is plugged into the slots on your helmets.

"I tell you. I never did this before in my life. Still I will show a better jump than any of the mortals that accompany us. That is just how we are. Superior. So, um, will you go first? Just as an orientation of course."

“Absolutely.” As Grim responds he sees the light turn green and the jump master starts giving instructions. Grim makes the jump and is quickly followed by the other LLF troops.

Once they are out Nora follows. Thrilled and afraid. She knew she would make the jump. She has has to make it.

(It’s a pilot /int or dex check on the way down but we can’t scatter more than a kilometer if failed due to the dandelion chutes )

(7)

Nora does as said and translates the explanations over to actual skydiving. It even feels like her posture, chute opening and landing surpasses that of Grim. A fact that makes her smile impishly behind her visor. (9)

The both of you manage to stay together and look to be landing 200m into the woods, south of the compound. The ATV explorer is making its way down the main road, slowly, as it prepares to help pull some security away from your suspected landing zone. You're not sure how trapped the woods may be this close to the house, but you will be avoiding almost all of it.

Grim will first attempt to remove the comet suit as quickly and quietly as possible

Nora gets rid of the suit and helmet as well, feeling free again. She grabs her Violin and Bow and looks at Grim. "So, the way you look, you seem to have done this before. A person like me doesn't roam possibly trapped woods. So what would we have to look out for?"

“Keep an eye out for anywhere the vegetation looks like it was disturbed. There may be traps, but if we look carefully we should be able to detect them. We also need to be quiet, I know you didn’t like me in your head before, but I recommend we communicate telepathically, I can also augment your physical abilities if you let me.” (Looking for Nora’s permission to do holistic optimization patterning and unity of thought)

"Do you hear any of my thoughts then?"

“It allows us to hear each other’s thoughts, but only if you choose to transmit it. So yes but only if you push those thoughts to me.” (Neko or Eish correct me if I am wrong please)

"Well in that case, go ahead. But don't you steal my memories or whatever. And this ends once we are victorious!"

(Yeah you are correct. it doesnt share every thought, but only those that you want to send)

Landing amid the trees you both wait a moment for the dandelion chutes to also come down. Gunfire from the house toward the ATV and the barking of dogs sent into the woods greets you, and you can tell you will not have time to finish getting the suits off before the hounds arrive

"Get this, telepatic magic going, I guess we are going to have some company soon. And I am not even completely out of my suit just yet." She puts away the violin to grab the pistol. "Did I mention that I am not the greatest at shooting? I mean I still surpass any mortal, but I for once may not reach your level of proficiency."

Grim releases a wave of biospon is energy into Nora augmenting her physical capabilities, he then establishes the unity of thought. The connection should be established, but the hounds will be here any moment.

Dogs. I hate them. But I got rid of that dog Octavian, so some minor ones shouldn't be a problem. Unless I run out of ammunition. Get ready, Spaceboy. She thinks as while turning towards the sound.

(Initiative )

(5. 3+2 Kenjutsu)

(Nora takes one point of strain to use her vampiric reflexes and go first, showing Grim that she is indeed a formidable specimen of her kind.)

(Stats for the fight with Grim's Hollistic pattern active 40/20HP AC20 +5 to hit with Pistol/ +7 for Violin)

The three hounds emerge 20m away. They’ve been modified with cybernetics and are wearing metal combat armor- ready to fight. (Nora, hounds , grim)

(Giving Nora the extra turn. Also what is our penalty until we get the suits off)

(-4 to hit)

(would it be possible to get out of the suit during combat or only after? I guess not.) (edited)

(We wouldn’t have enough time during combat since rounds are six seconds and we need a few minutes to doff the suits)

Nora tries to get out of the suit but sees that it is pointless. She aims at the first hound and sends an UV bullet flying, aiming at its head. (20/10{8+2 from holistic}) She immediately turns towards Grim, with a look on her face that says "Try to match that, Spaceboy" (is the extra turn directly after mine or somewhere at the end of the round?)

(you take the extra round of action at the same initiative as your turn) (edited)

After the short glance at Grim she turns to the hounds again. She aims at another one, even if the first was still coming. Just to show them that they should fear her and run away. (so either 21/10 or crit/16 can't see on the phone.)

(Looks like a crit to me)

8:05 PM

The hound you had aimed at topples as the shots punch through its combat armor but it keeps on running. Two are wounded while thee third remains unharmed

8:06 PM

The hounds bound into the combat and close to 20m, deploying weapon arrays suited for hand to hand combat from their body

8:06 PM

(Next move has them in melee for each of you. Grim@up)

Grim attempts to fire his sheer rifle while still partially entangled in the comet suit (11/10). He then moves 10ft towards hounds attempting to put himself between them and Nora.

Nora's training sessions were pretty short. She just had two so far, and the second involved killing Octavian. So with the dogs coming closer, she instinctively moved backward about ten meters. Just to keep them at the only distance she trained to shoot at. But walking in the partially undressed suit was more difficult than she thought it would be. And so it happened that the shot went wide (3/8). "Damn roots!" She curses.

The hounds close, lunging into the melee with Grim , trying to pull him down with snapping jaws and slashing weapon arrays (all miss, didnt get double digits with any d20)

As the hounds start slashing at him Grim drops the sheer rifle and grabs hold of his mind blade, igniting the weapon as he slashed into a hound (27/15, I can’t see if it’s a crit)

(it is. Depending on if you do the "double the roll" or "roll twice" method it is either 16 Damage or something else.)

(I double so it should be 30)

(It was a crit, so 30)

9:54 AM

One of the hounds is knocked out, outright by the sweep of the mind blade. It rolls off you as though in a topor, and begins to sleep.

As Nora sees some impressive display of Grim's battle proves, she has to show something herself. Now without moving she has an easier time shooting at the remaining hounds. Someone else might be a bit shaky shooting into a melee combat. But not Nora, if Grim gets hit, it would count as collateral damage. (17/10)

(The modifiers only count once, not both times, so the damage was actually 16 but a dog still falls asleep)

10:02 AM

A second of the hounds is hit, and they continue trying to bite down into grim despite their wounds- training and cybernetic aggression boosting enhancements taking over (21/11 and a miss, cannot shock due to grim's high AC)

(Ok I think I’ve been doing crits wrong the whole time I have been playing. Sorry)

Grim uses his biosponic energy to heal himself and then try’s to retaliate against the hound. (14/18 for the attack. The healing is on turn and Grims minimum healing done is 11 anyway even if I roll all 1s)

Neither of the hounds is able to leverage their strength to harm Grim, though their gnawing teeth are becoming annoying and the vambrace of his armored comet suit is pockmarked with bites

3:48 PM

(didnt get even double digits again)

(Did we skip Nora )

(We didn’t skip her but they’re acting again thanks to their implants ,

(Ah ok, was confused)

(11/7) "Can you please stop moving so much? And would you be so kind and stop playing with those things and start getting rid of them? I am not willing to use all of the deadly ammo on those pets." She walks towards the hounds after her missed shot. Ready to get rid of them without wasting more ammunition. (Walking 10 m towards Grim, so still 10m away I guess) (edited)

(grim up, `11 is a miss)

Grim continues struggling to fight while in the suit (10/14)

The dogs are unable to effectively fight tihs round as system shock from their implants catches up with them. Their jaws remain locked but they are unable to do much more than be dead weight on Grim;s limbs

Nora sighs. Loud enough so even Grim can hear it through the sounds of battle. Nora closes the distance between her and the fighting trio. With her free hand she grabs for one of the hounds, possibly the injured one, and tries to choke it to death with her bare hand. (18/6)

There is a crunch as its neck bones snap. The dog whines but it is cut off sharply as it expires. The corpse is thrown aside like a puppet with its strings cut

“Good work Nora. Let’s hurry up and get these suits off so we can get out of here.” Grim quickly attempts to finish removing the comet suit.

"I know you for once want to show that you are tough as well. But you still should kill that hound first, the one that clings to your leg." (There should still be one dog alive and fighting if I read that correctly.)

(there is still one alive, so we cannot remove our armor right now)

(And with Nora's turn done and the dog not having an attack this round, it should be Grim's turn.)

(also correct)

Grim attempts to fight the next hound (15/15)

The hound's armor takes the blow, and it growls as it sinks its teeth in deeper, (23/5) sending sparks flying from the vambrace on Grim's armor (edited)

9:25 AM

(nora)

Nora tries to grab that hound as well, but it seems to be too slippery as it evades her grab, even with it being teeth deep in Grim. But it could also be that Nora wants to see Grim suffer, maybe. (11/5)

(back to grim)

Grim retaliates against the hound landing a well placed strike that hopefully penetrates armor (19/18)

The hound howls, and its cut short before it goes limp and collapses, freeing you from the press of melee combat. The dogs have done their work, delaying you for long enough for the house to respond. You see floodlights clicking on, and a harsh buzz fills the air as surveillance drones are spooling up to launch , though you do not see any taking to the air yet. A distant firefight and readouts from the ghost driver in the ATV shows a spirited hit and fade gunbattle going on near the gate

Now Grim attempts to get out of the comet suit as quickly as possible

Nora does as well. "So, hopefully this will go more smooth once we are out of these suits. It felt like they were hindering you quite severely."

The snaps are pulled and after a moment you are able to get them off. The house-guard don't seem to be in a hurry to leave their fortified position to come into the woods and take the fight to you

“Yes, Nora I think you are right. Thankfully I had you around to help. Maybe I should bring you with on dangerous missions more often. But for now let’s get moving.” Grim will attempt to begin moving towards to Hovell compound while staying off the road and trying to avoid being detected.

What Grim says only fuels Nora's superiority complex. "Oh, no, for your dangerous missions you do have your mortal servants. Today I am here for a reason, but this won't become a regular occurance. Just think about my violin getting dirty from all the adventuring? That would be terrible. But yes, we should keep going. Lead the way, Lightbringer. So are we against all of them? In that case we should get the Elder quite quickly, so the others have no reason to fight us but ask to join House Racovitza for protection." Nora, follows the juvenile.

“I agree, let’s move quickly and remove the leader first. You are getting quite experienced at killing elders.”

"So you better not follow your idea of restoring House Orniferous and just join House Racovitza." She says with a neutral expression on her face.

“I deserve my own house too, don’t you think? Besides wouldn’t being in charge of everything take a lot of time? I’m sure you would rather spend playing your violin?”

Nora frowns. "I can't argue with that. Yeah, have your own house. Once tonight is done, I am done with murdering Elders. It just ruins hairstyles and breaks nails."

“I am glad to hear that. Let’s finish this mess then”

(Sneak/dex)

(6)

(1)

The floodlights mounted on trees in the woods illuminate your position , though you should feel lucky they aren’t UV bulbs like closer to the house

8:45 PM

You can hear shouting and no doubt security within the manor has a fix on your position

“It looks like they must of heard you. I guess stealth isn’t an option anymore. Let’s go for speed then” Grim starts moving as quickly as he can (edited)

Nora grabs Grim's shoulder, drags him back and pushes him against a tree, so both of them are out of the light. "Listen clumsy, if you walk like an elephant, there is no reason to blame me. Second. are you out of your mind? They know where we are. They either shoot at us from afar or shower us in UV lights once we get closer. I am not throwing my immortality away just because some lowly juvenile thinks they need to be a show-off and end up meeting the dawn. I want to see the new dusk of Tece and for that, we need to be somewhat more reckless. How did you become the Lightbringer? Did you stumble over the corpse of the last one and assumed their identity, as you did as Octavian in the video? Where is your reinforcement? Send something better than this car as a distraction, or our attack might end here. If we want to succeed, you need to learn to sacrifice some useless mortals. That why we are immortal, because we use those mortals as our shields." (edited)

“I get your point, and I will call in my robots. But we have three options, stay here and die, run away and accomplish nothing, or press forward and try to achieve victory. You may choose to run but I am pressing forward.” Grim radios for the backup and then continues towards the house

Nora tries to catch up with Grim and tries to communicate with him through his telepatic connection. To the left! Does it work that way? We zig zag through the woods, carefully to not hit a booby trap, and once your Robots get us some distraction, we rush forward. Good? Perfection needs paitence. In a few centuries you might understand that.

Ok we zig zag. We move carefully.

(how many things are coming? an idea of the scale/how you want this to work would help me tremendously)

(I am thinking maybe 100 of them. Same as the explorer kind of, mainly attacking to draw forces away. But really it will probably take a lot of time to get there. Mainly just trying to make Nora happy.)

(It would take a while to get there but depending on what happens it might be helpful, all we know right now is those order are being relayed/carried out)

(Got It sending for them then. Is there more info needed from me?)

(All good there, so zig zagging and hoping to avoid traps, ect)

(yeah, that is the idea)

A large rock in the shadows cast by the spotlights is the first vantage point you find, 100m from the front of the house and the clearing around it. Three house-guard are on the front porch, backlit by the spotlights, and are panning for threats.

are you good with me trying to start shooting out the spotlights?

If you think you can hit them. Go for it.

Grim will attempt to shoot out a spotlight

10:35 AM

(16/16 to try and hit light. If allowed)

One of the spotlights is blown out, and the guards begin looking for the source of the gunshot. The lights dim, but there are still two more that block easy entry along your path of advance

(Can grim keep shooting at the lights?)

(they're going to steadily notice where its coming from with sustained shooting but yes)

(24/12) Grim shoots at the next spotlight. They are going to figure out where I’m shooting from soon, but we need those spotlights out.

Let's move a bit then. Before they just start shooting at our position.

Alright, should be one left. Let’s move before I shoot the last one then

Wise words from you ring in my head. You learn quickly. She thinks with a smile on her face while she tries to keep up with Grim's speed.

(Not sure if we are waiting on me? But I was just going to move and shoot the last shot if that works)

(We we’re waiting on me I just didn’t get to this today)

9:13 PM

The second shot sends glass scattering down onto the decking. The soldiers begin spreading out and moving off the porch, toward the edge of the wood to begin the hunt for the shooters

(Was not trying to rush. Sorry)

9:19 PM

Grim will attempt to move firing positions without being detected

Nora tries to not stumble over roots while following the Lightbringer. She knows that those coming for them might be there soon. So darkness will be their friend, if the juvenile gets them the darkness they need.

There are shots fired at random into the woods. A few come close without your attackers realizing it. setting up, you begin to draw a bead on the final light (edited)

Grim pulls the trigger attempting to get the last light (23/14)

The lights are out, but the guards now have a reference point, and a trio of modified combat rifles fire on your position from the guards (17/7 nora, the other shots all miss)

9:29 AM

(back to you guys)

(Seems like we are back in combat initiative, so Nora is up correct?)

(yes)

A bullet, aimed at Nora, hits the tree next to her. Nora's sound manipulating magic made the attackers misguess her real position. (AC 20). She makes a few steps to the side to get a look at their attackers, once she can somewhat pinpoint an approaching guard, she gets her violin to the chin and the bow into her other hand. A smile forms on her face as she closes her eyes. She begins playing a short piece of music, an awful dissonance aimed at one of the approaching guards. The music travels so focused that it aims to attack the guard's hearing and brain alike. A deadly melody. (22/12)

(is this a spell, or a weapon shot? Not really sure)

(um a magic Attac. Savage Sorcery focus, allows me to make a ranged attack that uses my cast Magix as a modifier.)

11:47 AM

One of the guards is wounded by the magical blast, as they rally and try to buy more time for the other house defenders to wrangle the ATV. (Grim)

Grim will aim and fire at one of the other guards. (25/12)

The guard falls and is wounded, but drags themselves forward to continue fighting. (Two wounded. One unhurt. Nora up)

Nora's playing intensifies with the aim of turning the guard's brain into somekind of mush. They need to move forward and those guards are like the dogs that came before. The only difference was that they walked on two legs instead of four. But they are likewise an annoyance (18/16 attack with Savage Sorcery)

The wounded guard falls and begins breaking down into some kind of boneless, sonically pulverized organic mulch. The two remaining fire back, their shots snapping tree limbs and blowing wood from trunks but not enough to wound either of you. You expect the heavier defenses will be within

7:24 AM

At the gate, the ATV reports heavy damage after prolonged fighting with the guards there. The unit of battle robots is loading and will continue that process for some time yet

Grim fires on the next guard (26/12). Grim also orders the grav explorer to retreat. (It was supposed to of already reatreated.)

(yes, but their weapons have range, ect)

(Copy, just if possible trying to get it out of there before it’s wrecked)

The second guard is also felled, leaving just the uninjured one. He takes a grenade from his belt, and throws it into the woods near your position (Evasion save, each)

(1v4 fail)

Nora watches Mr. Clumsy, seemingly unable to get out of the explosion radius of an incoming grenade, while she, the agile vampiric grace on two legs easily gets out of the most severe explosion radius (14v9 success!)

(6 damage if failed, 3 if passed)

3:04 PM

(and we're up to Nora)

(37 HP) Annoyed from the thrown grenade, Nora walks into a better position turns towards the guard and plays her violin. Destructive music is sent on its way (16/17 Savage Sorcery)

(48/59 hp) Grim fires at the guard (21/11)

The twin impacts of the savage spell and the rifle shot blow the man apart horrifically , bringing a sudden silence to the clearing

With the guards neutralized and the spotlights out Grim is going to try and see if there is an area of fence that may be a good entry point. (Basically seeing if there is an area with shrubbery or an sort of concealment by the fence where I can cut it open without being totally exposed)

Nora follows Grim when she realizes that the ATV is trying to get away. What is it doing? Why isn't it racing into the front gate or something? I guess you aren't even sacrificing machines.

That Grav Explorer has rare pre-tech in it. I’m not sacrificing it! I’ve already risked it. Now let’s get moving before more guards show up

Nora laughs. That really sounds like it comes from a Lamplighter. And don't worry juvenile, fast or slow, more guards will show up regardless. Let us get to the house quickly. Maybe we get past some of them.

The first of the warbots is on the way and will be here in ten minutes, though more are being loaded as the message is sent. The front of the home seems quiet now, though there are certainly more defenders and defenses mustering within

(how tall is the building? Like how many floors does it have?)

(about the size of octavian's house, a ground floor and a first floor, and we knew they had a basement too from your quick visits, but we dont know whats down there)

Should we try to enter the first floor? That way we could make sure that those pesky dogs don't come from more than one side. What is your plan?

yes let’s try for the first floor. First though let’s try and get there undetected Grim runs towards the fence and attempts to use the skills learned from the Daughter’s of the Lotus to quietly scale and leap over the fence

9:17 AM

(May need to roll my ghost walker, but doing ninja shit)

(that level 1 is written for 1E when we had like 50 different combat skills, but i dont think we need a check here since you're well trained in this style) (edited)

(So the juvenile uses his fancy skills to get over the fence? So I guess Nora needs to show him that she can just jump over the fence by being just her awesome self? Some exert/dex check needed?)

(Nora would need a check if she is trying to do the same thing, as she's not trained in the fighting style grim is using)

(climbing is not her strength, exert dex 4)

Grim is able to vault to the first floor, and Nora is not able to follow. The interior window shutters are down, but are meant more to block vision than keep out a determined intruder

(Is it a chain link? Can I just cut it for her?)

(She failed the check she can’t jump up to your position from the ground)

Grim will take a moment to get his rope out of his pack and toss one end to Nora. He says nothing as he does so, knowing Nora doesn’t like to be embarrassed and pushing her buttons right now might get him a knife in the back later.

Nora grabs the rope without saying anything. No "Thank You" no other comment. She just gets up to Grim with the help of the rope. She points at the shutters. Do you have any tools with you? Or shall we use brute force to be the light of dawn that enters the room behind the glass and shutters? (edited)

I don’t have any tool for this, but let’s see if it opens Grim attempts to open the window and shutters

The shutter is locked but it is not secure, it rattles as you push against it and begins to separate from the window frame a bit

Grim continues rattling the window in an attempt to force it open

To get it done faster, Nora tries to help for once and joins the rattling and pushing.

Both of you shoving on it has it fall free inside a bedroom on the first floor of the manor. You can hear alarms sounding below you on the ground floor as the security system is tripped

At least we are inside now. But I doubt we will have a pleasant time ahead of us. But I guess it doesn't matter. Shall we open the door to the corridor or create some trap for the guards?

Let’s open the door. The more time we take the more forces they can get here. Grim opens the bedroom door to the corridor

Moving out into the hallway you can see two guards below in the lobby, looking out through the firing slit in the front door

11:08 AM

towards the outside. Others are shouting from toher places in the house

It looks like they haven’t seen us yet. Lets try to find the elder. You have been here before, where should we look?

There was this one room it was on this floor if I am not mistaken. We went up the stairs and then somewhere to the right. I'll know when I see the door. But I guess it was more like a room meant for me to meet the elder. It wasn't all to luxurious, but well look around, that place is far from being beautiful. So I can find that room, but I can't promise you that we find the elder there. Quite the contrary, if they expect me to be of your aid. They might expect us to go to that room. But I guess we have to see for ourselves, right? For once Nora leads the way, trying to not make the guards aware of their presence. "Just one more elder and my future will be set. At least if that juvenile gives me what I want. But killing him seems to be not a good option, even if I wouldn't wonder if he stumbled and falls down the stairs or something. But he is all I have now."

Grim nods and follows Nora

You see the door ahead of you, past the landing and the top of the stairs. The carving of the roaring Gorgon's head in the door with the emerald inset eyes is hard to miss.

Let's see if we get greeted by the elder or a bomb. Nora thinks to Grim before touching and using the door knob.

Hopefully not a bomb, but we will see.

The door knob does not appear to be trapped and there is no resistance as nora turns the knob

Nora pushes the door open, but jumps to the side, so she doesn't stand infornt of the door.. Just in case a surprise awaits them inside.

When he sees Nora jump to the side, Grim then enters the room.

The door opens, revealing an empty library, with a mix of data pads, books, scrolls, and computer terminals set into the walls. Vampric art is mixed in, heavy on gothic themes, rich with deep blacks and reds.

8:09 AM

There is a thick armchair with its back facing the door, 5m away. You can see the shape of the elder sitting there, back to you but not moving. In the darkness all you can see is her silhouette.

(Would I be able to attempt a telepathic contact?)

The door closes behind you, and the dummy turns around in the chair with an automated crank. In its lap is a primed demolition charge, set to explode in 12 seconds

Grim will attempt to try and disarm the demolition charge

(fix/int or program/int)

(am I in the room with Mr Clumsy, who tries to disarm a bomb, or still in front of the door waiting for a bunch of guards to shoot at me?)

(in the room with the bomb)

10:50 AM

(either way, its a 40m blast radius, so you'd still be rolling an evasion with two rounds of move)

If you feel like you can't do it. I'll try something. But I can't disarm it.

Don’t worry. I end up in situations like this all the time. Normally everything works out nobody gets blown up Grim the starts working on the bomb (10)

The timer ends with six seconds left on it. The bomb is defused, but was packed with enough charge to level the house

This much explosive would of taken out the entire house. I wonder if the elder is even still here. But I guess we keep moving. I’m also going to call in a second wave. Grim calls up another 100 robots (edited)

The crews up north are finishing loading of the first wave, and will begin getting the second one sent to your location when possible

So if the bomb doesn't level the house, your robots will? If they were thinking that we might die in this explosion. I. Nora shakes her head. How annoying. Just think about it. They surely are like rats, hiding in some bunker now. Possibly below us. Could that be? They would have survived the explosion, without anyone left to tell that they actually never met the dawn.

ok let’s head down to the bunker then Grim try’s to open the door that shut on them

If there is one. Nora follows. Making sure that Grim would be the one to get shot first. (edited)

The door opens and is no longer locked , as the electrical signal has been cut. You have to guards to deal with downstairs before getting to the bottom@of the stairs and to the elevator down

Lets try and shoot them before they can react. I will get the one on the left Grim heads to the stairs and begins lining up a shot against the one on the left. (Not trying to take a whole minute for execution, but hoping for a surprise round.)

(They know you’re in the house already they just didn’t get to do anything before you ducked into the@bomb room)

(Copy. So initiative order? Nora, guards, me?)

(Yes)

Nora wants the guard to meet the hellish weapon their house invented, so she uses the pistol instead of her violin. (15/9 UV shot so I guess if hit it is 18 damage)

The guard begins to catch alight from head to toe, melting in blooms of blue fire that catch the carpet and drapes as the man falls. The other guard readies his weapon and fires a burst , shots hitting the railing and walls but unable to punch through your armor. (Misses either of you, Grim up)

Grim fires at the guard (19/6)

The guard is wounded, and chambers another round, as nora prepares to act

Nora pulls the trigger once more (22/7 UV so 14 Damage, 5 rounds left in this magazine). Killing members of House Holvell with the most disgusting weapon ever created, the UV ammunition, was nothing particularly fun, but they deserved it. Sharing something like that with the hunters was a sin greater than most. For that they should die by the burn of this dawnbringer ammunition.

The second joins the first in a spreading pyre of blue flame, spreading across the floor as the second member of the house dies. Although it is spreading, the bottom floor is accessible for the moment in most areas

We should move on, that fire can burn down whole mansions, and if they are afraid of the fire, they might lead us to their rathole. That thought, Nora rushes downstairs, trying to avoid the flames at all cost.

Grim follows heading downstairs and looking for the elevator

Due to the fire the controls look to have been disabled, but the doors could possibly be wedged apart to forcibly gain access to the elevator shaft.

I will cover your back once you do the simple work, which is opening this elevator with brute force.

Grim will attempt to wedge the doors open.

Yes a violinist of your status should not have to resort to such crude labor. It is a task more suited to one such as myself who is willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work necessary to succeed

The strength lended to you by your storm armor allows the door to be pulled apart easily. The shaft plunges downwards into the ground and you cannot see the roof of the elevator Car of the bottom of the shaft from here

Grim will try and see if there is anything he can access now that the door is open to try and recall the car to this floor.

And it looks like you are perfectly suited for this crude labor. If the elevator is unpowered, we could even climb. Even if that means we end up with callus hands.

The cables might be able to be pulled, but you are not sure how heavy the car is. The controls remain dead, and there is no electronic means to recall the car

Alright let’s give climbing a try Grim begins attempting the climb down

11:01 AM

(The pattern optimization gives Nora a +2 to strength and dex rolls)

Nora follows with all of her superior dexterity. (that would get me +4 on dex related rolls)

(exert/str or dex)

(exert/dex = 11)

(Exert/dex was 4. Used last Reroll token new exert/dex is 8)

Both of you are able to just barely make it the 250m below ground, deep below the earth and the spreading fire above. The first of the warbots have landed outside and are engaging the remaining houseguard and patrols in the woods. The shaft doors on this level are likewise pried open easily, and you emerge in a control room where six shocked House Holvell human engineers- likely blood slaves, are at their computers and are shocked at the intrusion

“On the ground and hands behind your head now!” Grim demands as he points his sheer rifle at them. Ready to fire upon any who move aggressively

They begin getting up, recognizing another two night kin, and they know their place.

Once they have finished complying Grim will use his rope to tie them up so they aren’t a threat

(Is Nora assisting?)

(I will let her give final answer, but I would recommend her keeping a gun on them while I finish)

Nora is not assisting by touching and tying up the mortals. She rather stands there and watches, not just the mortals but also any door that leads to this room. (edited)

After ten minutes, the thralls are bound, and this engineering section is now under your control

...and ready to be reaped for a celebration later. You are good at tying people up. I guess that is one of your secret desires, huh? She laughs as she walks to the nearest door. Let us bring the dawn to the Elder.

The bulkhead doors leading into the vault can be accessed from the security center here, along with two camera feeds

On her way to the bulkhead doors Nora realizes that she should check the computers here. So she finds the nearest one and sits down on the now emptied chair to try and access the camera feeds.

The elder of House Holvell is on the other side of the door in her research vault. She is ordering her four guards within to destroy computers, burn books in the wall incinerator, and otherwise continue the work of destroying the Lore the house has collected in order to ensure if they cannot have it, no one else will ever benefit from their records. She looks frantic and crazed, sword drawn and the bodies of two human guards are also in the room, having been run through by their master. The surviving attendants in the room look to be juvenile night-kin.

Lightbringer, get ready, we can't let her destroy valuable knowledge! All we need to do is push some buttons and open the door.

Now I am mad. That knowledge belongs to me! She is going to pay for this! Grim immediately pushes the button to open the doors and readies his sword

Nora thinks about using some of her Magic tricks, but decides otherwise as she watches the doors open, ready to strike at those inside.

The doors begin to slowly winch open, drawing the attention of all in the room. "It's too late upstarts!" THe elder of House Holvell calls out to you. "You might kill me, but you'll never get the treasure of my house!"

“Seriously? Those books are more valuable than your life. You could of traded them for freedom. Now I need to kill you and salvage what I can.” Grim then communicates with Nora. If we can let’s take her alive. Maybe I can pry some information from her tiny brain Grim then prepares for battle

Nora does not answer Grim when she draws the pistol. "I hope you are ready to taste your own hellish creation." She says toward the elder. (back to initiative order?) (edited)

(lets get a new round of initiative here since there is a lot more going on, and she is an action-oriented villain)

3:24 PM

(6 for House Holvell Elder, 1 for her guards)

(well then, one strain to go first)

(7, 5 roll+2 Kenjutsu)

(Nora, Grim, House Holvell elder, and her guards are last. She does have some special actions that may happen at the top of rounds, but this first one is normal)

3:28 PM

(She and her guards are 10m from you

Nora without any emotion aims at the Elder when she gets reminded of the fight with Octavian. Emotions and memories that won't help her know. All of her focus is gone when she pulls the trigger. (miss)

Grim uses terratic overload (8 damage. Physical saving throw. If fail damage triples). Grim also moves up 10m into melee range

(don't we need to establish contact first?)

(Terratic is biospon, telepathic assault is the one that requires contact) (edited)

(Failed the save)

7:55 PM

The elder smirks "You're going to need to do a lot better than that" she shouts, brandishing her own energized blade. (21/9 grim, the other misses) Her guards scatter, trying to get to firing positions in the corners of the room and fire their solid shot weapons, trying to fill the room with lead (21/12 Nora, all the other shots miss everyone)

(Do I get attacks on the guards? Or they did fighting withdrawal?)

(they weren't right next to her, they were scattered around the room and had been burning/destroying things until you barged int as opposed to being a flesh cordon between you all)

(Copy)

(25HP) Nora's hand glides down to where the bullet hit her. Clothing and skin, ruined. She quickly turns around, anger is on her face, she is ready to break those guards in two, or burn them from the inside. She quickly pulls the trigger and sends an UV bullet towards one of the guards, as she wasn't sure who shot her. (16/4 UV so 8 damage to the Guard, 3 Bullets left in this magazine) "Run, run away you fools, or else you die with your stupid Elder. Eaten by flames from the inside. You might be hurting us, but the house gets overrun by machines already, and it won't take long until they get down here and rip you apart, with their cold steel hands." She doesn't know if the Robots can really get down here, but it doesn't matter she only wants to instill fear in them.

(Grim 39/59) Grim channels bioscopic energy into Nora (21 healing) He than attempts to strike the elder (12/16)

(40HP)

The elder deflects the blow, as in the corner of the room one of the guards is heavily wounded by a near miss of the UV round. Creeping blue embers spread up his arm but not enough to kill in one hit like some of the others. The elder sends two swings back at Grim, a high cut followed by a twist and a stab at the thigh plate of his armor. She is an experienced duelist, spending a lifetime learning to hone both mind and body. (23/11 and 20/11) "Open the hell-gate!" the elder shouts, and her two henchmen near the furnace open the grate, allowing hot coals to begin catching the carpet on fire- it will spread to the books before long.

Nora stays calm, a loss of knowledge would be bad, but it is important that they succeed, that Holvell ends here and now. One Elder and four guards, time to change that up a bit. After the first victim of her shooting just barely got away, she instead aims at the next guard and pulls the trigger, trying to make his head go up in flames. Blue Flames. (23/ 8 UV so 16 damage, two bullets left in that magazine) "Run, you dogs!"

The second of your intended targets is not so lucky. The shot punches through a thinner gap near the joint and blue fire begins to burn from within, leaving nothing but a pile of screaming, blackened metal cracking with the bleed off of extreme heat after a few seconds. The rounds are devastatingly effective.

2:51 PM

(grim)

(17/59 hp starting) Grim biosponically heals himself (18. 35/59 hp) Grim then attacks the Elder making a series of strike with his blade (23/16) (edited)

The elder is wounded visibly now, some of her composure falls to the wayside as a gritty fight for survival continues down here in the crypt. the guard who was not stoking the furnace fires on Nora (23/2) , sending more heavy rounds toward her well dressed form. The heat in the room begins rising as the coals and smoke begin to overwhelm the small space (physical effect save both, then I'll take the elder's turn)

(fail 2v9)

(1v5 fail)

(4 damage) Flames and waves of heat, as well as clinging smoke begin to overwhelmed you. If the elder is feeling the effects, she is not showing it. Locked in melee with Grim, she has no place to go but forward, sending two lightning quick sweeps of her long dueling blade toward thin places in his fitted suit of storm armor. (miss and miss, back to nora) (edited)

(36HP) Nora coughs and has trouble keeping her eyes open. Even if knowledge gets lost here, we need to make sure that they end here. The elder must die. She tries to hit the elder with an aimed shot. But smoke, watery eyes and repeated coughing make her miss her shot.

Grim continues healing himself (-4 from fail +20 heal. New hp 51/59) then deftly performs a serious at strike against the elder (30/17)

Heavily wounded from the bioscopic attack and the sword cuts, she throws everything she has into a series of deadly knife dance style moves, hoping to cut Grim down quickly so she can take the fight to the traitorous Nora herself. Burning coals and a heated blade edge make the battlefield hazardous , and she uses it to full effect (24/10, 23/27) The remaining two guards continue pouring rifle fire into the swirling melee, (21/3 Nora, 24/8 Nora)

3:06 PM

(End turn)

(26hp) Nora knows that this fight has to end, soon. More shots hit her and it doesn't help her focus on the fight. She still can't breath nor can she really see much. But there was still one last bullet in the magazine, enough to kill the next elder on her list, or the Lightbringer if she was at it. But she needed Grim and he needed her to hit. But she doesn't. The last pull of the trigger is wasted when the shot goes wide.

(Starting HP 14/59 +18 healing 32/59 hp) Grim continues channeling his psionic energy into healing himself, struggling to keep up with the massive amount of damage he is taking. As he is healing he continues lashing out with his mind blade (22/15)

The elder looks good be just a hair from succumbing to the blade now. It is all or nothing. Smoke and fire builds and the shelves closest to the incinerators open maw go up like torches The guards continue firing on Nora. (23/15 and a miss from the elders blade. 3 damage on a failed physical effect save from the smoke and fire , none if passed) (Both guards miss)

(failed 6v9)(23hp) Such a surrounding is already unbearable for Nora, and she missed shot after shot, just to end up with an empty magazine. But turning and running was no option. Not with the juvenile taking hit after hit and still standing strong. No she has to continue giving it her best. And once the Elder was dead she would rip out the throats of those pesky guards and throw them into the fire, so the last thing they feel before meeting the dawn is their flesh burning away. Yes that is what she will do. She drops the pistol to start and play a deadly melody. But she still can't see much and changing weapons quickly is nothing she is trained at. So whatever deadly sonic waves she produced doesn't leave more than some swirls in the smoke, but otherwise everyone else unharmed.

(Success 20v5. 20 healing. 32 hp -15 +20 =New Hp 37/59) Grim continues pumping psionic energy through his body. Strain starting to build Grim pushes himself to continue fighting but strikes poorly (12/18)

(I added three from previous rounds and we have done a few more since the weekend started. If you haven’t been able to add those let me know and I will)

(The strain? )

(Yes) The elder now has two opponents in the fight with her as the deadly blast goes in her direction but misses. Numbers and wounds are beginning to turn against her . Her blade strikes back out trying to end the fight before the entire basement goes up (24/16 Grim) The chambers of the combat rifles begin to make the dry choking sounds signaling the end of the magazine is coming. The shots that make it out of the weapon streak out and punch into Nora. (23/9 Nora) The blue flames and choking smoke spreads to another book case, adding to the overwhelming conflagration. (Phys save, 6 if failed, none if passed , back to Grim)

(I am tracking 5 strain used out of 14 total. I can post it during my moves just was so far from maximum I wasn’t worried about it yet) (edited)

6:31 PM

(Grim or Nora up?)

(I guess I am up. save succeeded 20v9! attack roll misses again, of course, choking when facing an elder. 6/18 Strain and 14 hp) Her wounds start to hurt her greatly, and it all affects her negatively. But she at least gets to see something again, even with the smoke and heat still be overwhelming. Once that was done, she will drink a mortal empty, or two. The only way to really recover. But for now she needed to end it. So she plays a deadly melody again. Her magic builds up but a slight moment before she releases it, a shot hits her. Her own attack goes wide while she groans in pain. "I will burn you alive, you worthless scum!"

(7v5 success. 37-16=21 hp. 21+24 healing. New hp=45/59. 6/14 strain) Grim continues healing, making some progress as his he is able to out heal some of the damage he is taking. He then quickly strikes again hoping to stop the elder. (29/17)

(It's good to have it recorded rather than just assume we won't hit it, because you never know when we might. It's like any other in game resource)

7:42 AM

The blade falls from the Elder's hand as the devastating sweep cuts her head from her shoulders. The body falls onto its knees, and then the residual weight has it falling on its side to dump sizzling blood onto the ground. The blue fire is spreading and will swallow her up if she is left here.

7:43 AM

Her two henchmen continue firing- (Crit/14 nora, 20/5 grim)

Nekosmash

(It's good to have it recorded rather than just assume we won't hit it, because you never know when we might. It's like any other in game resource)

(Fair will track from now on)

There is a ping sound as the magazines run dry.

Nora stares at Holvell's guards. She wants to scream. She wants to kill them, rip them apart on the spot. But nothing. Another shot hits her. And the pain overwhelms her. A step forward turns into falling onto her knees. An anger filled face with empty eyes as her head hits the floor. (0HP, down)

(Grim is up)

Grim continues healing (16. So 56/59 7/14 strain) he then moves towards the henchman who downed Nora and strikes (21/16)

The first of them is cut down with the mind blade- falling asleep here is akin to death at the quick spreading fire. The second reloads, knowing this is the last thing he will likely be able to do (main action to reload)

(How does the fire work with Nora. I don’t want to let her die and was thinking 6 rounds to save her. But if I need to save her sooner because of fire I will)

(I think revealing the mechanics of this robs the scene of its tension)

(Ok fair)

10:03 AM

(Can I tell if she is currently on fire?)

(shes not on fire but there's no way to predict where its going to spread or how fast)

“Your Elder is dead and the fire is spreading. We can continue fighting or we can try to escape.” Grim heads to Nora and attempts to heal her while the last henchmen makes his choice. (18 heal for Nora)

He throws his weapon into the furnace, empty now with no ammunition to replace it.

10:08 AM

"Alright, there's no need for anyone else to die. Lets get out of here"

(Is the Elder currently on fire?)

(They will be)

“Good choice” Grim will help Nora up and then attempt to grab the Elders sword while avoiding the flames.

(6xp, 10,000 credits)

10:13 AM

Climbing up the elevator shaft has you getting to the surface as your warbots continue striding through the forest, destroying everything in their path. The woods are also burning in several places now as their energy weapons ignite dry wood and their footfalls trigger traps buried in the woods. Several have been destroyed but more waves continue being ferried in from the original staging post in the north.

Grim will issue orders for all warbots to replay the following on loop. “Your Elder has been defeated. Any surrendering forces will be spared.” Grim then issues orders for the bots to detain instead of killing any surrendering adversaries. (Also not sure if I was able to get sword or if it was special)

(you were, just doesnt matter right now)

10:24 AM

(cant really do anything with it, or tell if theres anything going on with it, in the middle of a forest fire, on a planet where nobody can know you exist)

Nora doesn't say a thing during her rescue. She has the worst headache and is embarrassed that a juvenile like Grim saved her. But she starts talking once they are above ground again. "This is awful. Officials will surely be here soon. What do you want to tell them when they start to ask questions? That you stopped some evil Terror organization from another world that was doing awful things here?"

“A version of the truth always works best. The LLF has ended the organization behind the evil that has been plaguing the good people of Tece. The mass murders should stop and the populous should be much more safe now. The evil horrors carried out by House Hovell were beyond imagination. The officials also are well paid for and a bonus payment this month should smooth things out. I will probably also need to pay the local media to report this situation properly” (edited)

(I figure 2mil total in bribes, between the officials and media. will deduct from LLF funds when I get home)

"Sounds like you do this more often than usual, huh?" She asks with a painful look. "Will you keep the promises? House Racovitza gets House Aquillon with its clubs and culture venues? And you leave me in peace? In trade we only drink from our servants, weed out those who leave the shadows. And otherwise I will be as awesome and perfect as I am." She laughs just to shriek in pain as a result of it.

(2 seems low given all the people involved and widespread damage)

(What’s fair 5?)

(I would say 10 since we have government officials , media, first responders, ATC who no doubt saw all the air traffic)

(Fair enough. Will deduct tonight)

“More often since getting to Tece. Also when did I promise all of that?”

"Octavian did, and you inherited House Orniferous. And this whole Elder-Killing is getting really tedious and annoying. I almost died there, I mean I would have pulled through, I suppose. But your help was still appreciated, juvenile. So don't make it hard on me and give me what I want." Nora almost stabs him with her looks. "So. It won't be to your demise if you comply."

Grim chuckles “I don’t know if you get to call in deals you made with people you specifically killed? But, The clubs and the culture venues are yours. Hell you can even have Octavian’s old club maybe you can do something about that god awful techno it plays. I don’t even mind you having the actual location. My concern however is that you are going to kill the entire house if they arrange the furniture the wrong way or something similarly trivial. If you want to merge the assets of Aquillon into Racovitza, not maintain two separate houses and you give your word you won’t murder the help. But how about we give the vampires the choice of which house to join seeing as you murdered several of house Oniferous’s vampires. Does that sound fair enough?”

Nora nods. "It does." She looks at Grim, and it seems like the next words feel to her like razor blades in her throat. "Thank you." (edited)

“You’re welcome. No mass murdering and I think we can get along splendidly.” Grim then proceeds to coordinate the rest of the clean up, the bribing, the transport of surrendering forces etc.., then once the fire is out I will get a team to search wreckage for anything important (not expecting anything to survive the fire but trying to be thorough. Unless there is anything else to do after that or we want to play out those pieces I am good with going back to HQ to figure out plan for hunters?)

"We will, we will." "As long as I keep our true nature hidden from you. But staying in the dark is what I wanted for us anyway. Safely enjoying eternity." "I guess you won't need me for anything else? So I return back home, while you manage the whole thing and make Tece join the Protectorate, oh were any Hunters left?"

(The hunters are no longer coordinated and you've got their video evidence they were going to release- so they've lost their only real card here as far as being a problem. I think as an organized threat to you they've been handled. The sword has survived the conflict but the rest of the lore here is utterly destroyed) (edited)

"If there is nothing left to do, I would leave to taste a whole lot of my servants, to recover. Before sleeping through a few nights. I just hope those wounds leave no scars."

“I do not believe so. Please do keep them alive remember.”

8:08 AM

(Switching to Grim unless there is anything left to do?)

"I don't needlessly kill my servants. They need to serve me, they can't do that once they are dead." She says with a smile. "I just need a ride back, or someone of your people to get me home. Calling a taxi here would be wise."

(we did XP already, I think from my end we're solid unless you guys had anything small to chase down)

Grim sends orders for a luxury car to take Nora back to her house. He also has a supply of blood sent labeled as being needed for the treatment of wounds suffered.

8:46 AM

(Ok switching to Grim. I need to get my butt to Saliv like I’ve bee promising Jasper for months)

(Thanks for being here and helping me do this. And for bringing Tece into the loving arms of the Protectorate.)

(Oh yeah I need to do that work too. So overcommitted

. Thank you too)

Nora enters the car once it is there. On her way back to the Racovitza mansion, she throws the blood pack out of the window. She was in pain, but not enough to drink out of a bag. Filled with blood that might belonged to a dirty human who just needed the money. No. At home willing servants are just waiting to give their blood for her. And then, then it was time for some sleep. And once she wakes up again, it will be a new time. Less beings that could annoy her and more time to do what she wants. Maybe a decade of playing music and not leaving the house? Time will tell.

(Goal finished, XP rewarded, Level will be increased, Bloodlust raised.)

Level UP!

LvL 5->6

Old HP 20
Rolled HP 24
New HP 24

No Focus Pick

3SP

Perform -> 1 (2SP)

1SP banked

New Spell Slots
+1 LvL 2 Slot
+1 LvL 3 Slot

New Spells

Arcane Grounding
Cryptographic Control Protocol        
Extradimensional Pocket        
Gravitic Control Rubric