11/18/06
⚠ <p>
Game date: 11/18/2003⚠ <p>
Mai writes:
Mai is at a clan meeting which is letting out, when Eleanor approaches, angry, and complains that Winston is not doing a very good job of keeping her informed of the social calendar. Mai agrees to convey the message. Given the nights have been relatively quiet, Mai allows herself in the luxury of touring the art exhibit where the meeting was held before making necessary calls. She calls Winston, and Eleanor, and finally her coterie mates to advise them that there will be court tomorrow night.
Aiden tells Mai where they are and since Mai is bored (and they appear to be harassing Randolf), Mai drives to Randolf's office where the deputies and Randolf appear to be discussing some withered corpses. More interesting, though, is that Jen is there. Having not seen her for three years, Mai asks about her whereabouts. Jen declines to answer. Not good.
Mai observes for a bit, watching her two "lost" companions. She is interested to note that Thomas, the rent a ghoul, now smells more like Randolf, and that Randolf now has shadows around him like Jen has. Randolf's shadow and Jen's shadow seem to fight with one another when they get close. Mai theorizes about this in her head, but really is just waiting for an opportunity.
Jen gets caught up in a conversation with JT and Mai turns to Aiden who fills her in on Jen's ordeal. At about this moment, Justus arrives to tell Mai that Alicia wanted to see her. Mai hastens out to her car where she's been keeping a change of clothes for Jen (it seemed such a comfort last time and Mai wanted to be prepared to calm Jen if needed). The clothes seem a small comfort again but now Mai has to tell Jen that Alicia is seeking to meet with them both. Jen asks Mai to run interference and Mai s willing to do so.
Back in her car, Mai calls Alicia and tells her that Jen's schedule will not permit a meeting tonight. Alicia says they should then meet tomorrow before court. Attempting to hide her current rage at this court, Mai agrees, but notes somewhat wryly that perhaps whatever arrangement the two of them have has not worked so well for Jen lately. This gets Mai implicated in the next favor due Alicia and now Mai is also invited to the meeting and to help Alicia with whatever it is that requires help. If this is the price of a free tongue, Mai will pay it.
Mai meets up again with her coterie at Mose's place. They discuss the case they are working on. Some dead sabbat bodies, a mystical elder, and a magical dagger. Apparently the elder commanded the sabbat to use the weapon her forged himself on him. And then the prince was apparently there before the deputies were.
Aiden brings up an investigation she got mail about regarding Jenny Morgan. Apparently a Pierre Morgan is investigating her disappearance. As we are not far from C3, we go over there to see what's up. JT seems to want to play good cop for a while and doesn't condone this potential masquerade breach, but that's never stopped us before.
Mai stands watch with her "nothing to see here" aura as the others climb inside. Apparently nothing of interest is found. JT then decides we should go to the police department and finds information on Pierre and Jen's Aunt Morgan. We go to Pierre's place and Jenny's mind goes inside to have a look. Nothing of interest is found. We investigate the house but it is gone.
We decide to wait for Manfred to continue working on the official case and that Aiden should respond to the letter with a simple "I can't help you" or whatever. We throw around ideas about this being a trap and what Pierre might be.
Mai and Jen work on a list of things Jen needs to make her more comfortable... clothes, housing, and whatnot, and Mai leaves some money and a note for Moses to gather what he can during the daylight hours. Mai decides Jen can stay with her this day so that they can both go to court together early.
Talk eventually turns to the meeting Mai and Jen will have with Alicia tomorrow night. JT points out that Alicia manipulated the former coterie in this manner and that now Jen's favors are spreading to the entire coterie and we are being manipulated in the same manner. Mai urges Jen to take a very serious accounting of what is owed Alicia and when/how it is repaid. Mai points out that Alicia will decide a boon is owed her for nearly anything. Mai points out that she herself may have just incurred a very small debt for running interference for Jen tonight.
Jen apologizes and says perhaps guilt has caused her to accept these dues. Mai rants briefly about how stupid guilt is. How her coterie did not kill J Star... that Achadremenos did. That Jen did not force Randolf to kill those humans when he was starving... that Randolf did it on his own accord... nor should he feel guilt because he was starving and that's what you do to survive. Mai says he needs to realize that he is a vampire now... and that Jen needs to realize that she is not the cause behind every action... and ⚠ <i>no more ⚠ <b>debt⚠ </b>⚠ </i> should be incurred out of guilt.
Aiden and JT eventually leave and Jen tells Mai that Alicia promised her a position within the camarilla... hence another debt is owed. Mai frowns and makes sure Jen is aware that Alicia will never kill Jen... but she will eagerly destroy her. Jen asks Mai now what she owes Mai for all of this tonight. Smart question... she learns well. Mai, however, says nothing is owed.
Nothing at least that Jen can give. Guilt is so pricey. Mai must find a way to rid of her own guilt for not actively seeking Jen in those years... for being part of this court that is now showing its monstrous face. If she can prove to herself that she's still a polite person, then maybe she won't have to pay the price of guilt.
⚠ <p>
Jen Speaks:
How many nights has it been? I used to count, but... Too many. At least these accursed leaches stay away from my eyes, not that there is anything to see.
I have no clue where I am, nor why I am in this situation. Some sort of box, with these leaches for company. A punishment, of some sort. I believe I have been "here" for a least a few years. I no longer scream, else these bastards get into my throat. Let alone in my nose, ears, any place they can.
For every night I awaken, trapped in my leach covered body, unable to even "step out" of it. For every night, they keep me company.
The box moves upward, and then I am on my back...
What has happened? Some new torture now awaits me?
I can hear the sound of metal parts moving outside my prison, and then, a dim light... Some ones voice, muttering in a language I do not know... The leaches are giving me Vitae? Now, they are gone!
Some one commands me to rise, so I do. I am in a stone vaulted room, and there are "others" here... JT, Aiden, the same Primogen I remember, and... An Elder Kindred in a grey suit. He, seems to be in charge, and tells me that my punishment has ended, but, the same or far worse will result if I misbehave. A new Prince this one is? I keep mum, and wait for the elders to leave me with the deputys...
At first, my bewilderment keeps me numb to what has just happened. Did not Alisha say something to me, about a debt? Then, I am alone with JT and Aiden, it turns out something has recently happened... I decide my best bet, is to assist the Deputies, and hope I can figure out just what is going on.
We travel to the Ren Center parking garage; ah, I was in the Vault, under the Ren Center. As thick as that box was, and so far from the surface; what crime did I preform to warrant such? As we travel to AMS, (Randolph?), I catch glimpses from the now open mortal minds around me...
9-11?
The Twin Towers in NY?
War in Iraq?
President George W. Bush?
War on Terror?!?
I give this up in a bit, it is far to confusing, and has no meaning to me.
Turns out, the Kindred who "freed" me, was Archamedies. He was back, and had been Prince for over 3 years. I also find out Aiden does not like to be called "deputy", so I start refering to my coterie mates by there names.
We arrive at AMS, and meet Randolph. He seems some what startled at MY presence... He seems to have grown up, in some manner... He shows us several body bags of ash, so I open the first one, and object read it...
The story that unfolds is, interesting. Some mystical Kindred asked a pack of Sabbat to kill him with a ceremonial knife of his own creation. After they do so, they are all knocked unconscious, and burned in the morning sun. I ask for what location this happened at, then quickly investigate it in astral form. Free of my accursed body at last! I move to the sight, but am limited as to what I can find there.
As I return, Mai arrives. She pleads guilt over not trying to find me... I know she is being honest about this, but would anyone stand up against this Prince? I doubt it. We quickly decide to continue on the Deputy's investigation, and will meet Mai latter this night.
At the sight, we encounter Egen! I trade quips with him, (and I'm rather certain he enjoyed it as much as me! I really hope to see him latter, alone.), and we find out that the Prince had been here earlier. And, had passed the murder weapon onto Manfred and his clan!
We reunite with Mai at Mosses place. We discuss a few matters, then Aiden mentions... Well, family matters now lead us on a new direction as we awaited Manfred to contact us about the dagger.
We arrive at a partially used office building. I call upon the Shadows, and... Something new happens! It seems I have gained even more control than before... Hiding myself, I climb to the top of this building. Once the Deputies arrive, I open the locked door here on the roof...
We find my cousins office cubical within C3 Investigations. The letter he had sent Aiden does not seem to be officially part of anything he is doing. However, I do find his home address.
We leave C3, and head to this address. Once again, I step out of my body, investigate his apartment, (its a mess!), and do not find him there. We give up on this project, and return to Mai's ghouls apartment.
Mai offers me aid, while warning me about Alisha. I admit to her, that Alisha is my contact to my Clan, and that she was to have arranged for me a position of political power in Detroit. Me and Mai are to meet with her before court. Mai fears that any debt I may owe to Alisha may be incurred by the Coterie, and I have to agree with her. I tell her that Manfred believed we may have to "deal" with her at some point; I do not know what he may think now.
Regardless, we leave a note to Moses to buy me a few things, and for the coming day prepare. I wonder if Alisha has contacted my Clan, and if her desire to meet with me comes from that.
Also, Mai mentions that Randolph and my "shadows" seemed to be fighting when ever we where close together. Randolph can play with Shadows now? How? Who taught him, the Prince? What price has he paid for this gift? Hell, Randolph could have been the one to lock me in that Leach filled prison, just to gain favor with the Prince...
Just how far has his hatred taken him?
⚠ <b>Aiden speaks up...⚠ </b>
⚠ <i>I⚠ </i> was content with not knowing all the details.
⚠ <i>I⚠ </i> was content with not knowing the full power of the Prince.
⚠ <i>I⚠ </i> was content with my unlife.
Damn.
I have then changes of the city in stride because what choice else existed for me. Only fools oppose those outrank them. But the comforts of my night with my lover were once again disturbed by my cohorts and I know that this will one of many nights such as this. After I received some interesting mail that will undoubtedly lead my ass right back into trouble, I also was summoned by The Bishop. Joy of Joys.
Long story short and I mean very short. JT and I harassed the jittery Deacon. Manfred got a new Shiny Thing(tm) to play with at the Chantry. We located and "freed" Jenny or Jen?!? We got to witness the benevolence of our Prince and his council. Then off to AMS to visit the lone-wolf. Bodies and dust lead to yet another mystery. I am starting to think we should just give up and get the Mystery Van, Scooby.
Apparently Jenny has got more power and much most sadistically stubborn over this whole clan issue. She just understand the call of the blood - it doesn't change or shift no matter what name you call yourself. She is clanless and someday she will truly realize how alone she is in this world. All those boons and unpaid debt are not same as belonging. Welcome to my realm.
Stryck Wiki