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12:51, 23rd April 2024 (GMT+0)

Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly.

Posted by CTAFor group 0
CTA
GM, 376 posts
Chicago Transit Authority
Hope you enjoy the ride
Thu 12 Feb 2015
at 19:07
  • msg #467

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

A few days had passed since the fire. Jack still had his arm in a sling but, other than that, he and Krystal had recovered. Paul's house had been reduced to ashes. He had rigged it to burn hot and fast. They weren't expecting to find much in the way of evidence there. The police searched the tattoo shop with little success. Apparently, Paul had been very careful. They didn't find any fingerprints that could be his, leading them to believe he had used magic to mask his prints. As suspected, his name wasn't really Paul Petrov. The real Paul Petrov was a half-brother to Dr. Rowe but, he had died as an infant. Apparently the tattoo artist had taken on his identity. The doctor claimed she had no idea and that he had fooled her along with everyone else. She said she didn't even know she had a half-brother until he showed up several months ago. The cops didn't get anything else from the doctor since she quickly lawyered up.

Jack was at Liar's Club to meet with the rest of the group, when he got a phone call from Corbin. He wanted Jack to meet him at Tabú. When Jack explained he was meeting friends, Corbin told him to bring them along. Corbin sent a very nice car and driver that picked everyone up and drove them to the club. Once there, the group was escorted upstairs to one of the private lounges, which were even more exclusive than the VIP room.

The room was furnished with plush, old world antiques. There was a bar stocked with some very expensive and imported liquor. Corbin wasn't there yet but, a bartender offered to make each of you anything you'd like. Another staff member brought in a couple of trays of fancy hors d'oeuvres. The staff was being very attentive and told you if you wanted something else, they could get it for you.

Now, if you're blue
And you don't know where to go to
Why don't you go where fashion sits
Puttin' on the Ritz
Different types who wear a daycoat
Pants with stripes and cutaway coat
Perfect fits
Puttin' on the Ritz

Dressed up like a million dollar trooper
Trying hard to look like Gary Cooper
Super-duper

Come, let's mix where Rockefellers
Walk with sticks or "umberellas"
In their mitts
Puttin' on the Ritz


Puttin' On the Ritz ~ Fred Astaire
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GKPMk5_gStk)

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:17, Thu 12 Feb 2015.
Zed Bogan
NPC, 21 posts
Bogie
Living Dead Boy
Thu 12 Feb 2015
at 20:34
  • msg #468

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Bogie let out a low whistle as he surveyed the surroundings. "So, this is how the 1% live. I am waaaay under-dressed for this place." He dropped into an over-sized chair. "It's been an interesting week, Jack. Mind-reading cats, spirits that posses me, and now rubbing elbows with the rich and famous. I had no idea hanging out with you would be so... interesting."

"I've touched-base with the harpies. Aello's still in intensive care. What he did to her..." Bogie shook his head. "He was extracting her hormones. It did some damage. They're not sure if she'll ever be able to have kids. Not only is that a personal blow but, for a species on the edge of extinction, it's kind of devastating. Apparently, not all of them are built for that. Celine, the blonde, is some kind of guardian. She isn't capable of having children. As far as they know, Aello and Delphine were the last mated pair to exist."

"Add to that, she might have some brain damage from the combination of drugs and smoke inhalation. The hospital is doing what it can, I guess. They're kind of in uncharted territory here. Harpies are rare even by para standards. She's looking at a long road to recovery, which is going to be bloody expensive. They don't have those kinds of resources. I've been trying to drum up some support in Cabrini but, nobody there has a lot to spare, as you can imagine."
Krystal O'Conner
player, 187 posts
the odd one
Thu 12 Feb 2015
at 20:50
  • msg #469

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

When asked what she wanted to drink she said, without pause, "I'll have a Double, 21 year Buchanan or Johnny Walker Blue. Neat please." She turned away and gripped her hands together trying not to bounce up and down at the thought of having a drink she'd only heard legends about but could never afford.

Joining Bogie she mumbled, "So... can you  ever fix yourself? I mean... if something falls off or you get stabbed in the face... how would you heal it?"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 10:47, Fri 13 Feb 2015.
Zed Bogan
NPC, 22 posts
Bogie
Living Dead Boy
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 10:46
  • msg #470

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"Fix me? What am I, an overly amorous puppy? Wait, don't answer that." Bogie shrugged. "Haven't had any parts fall off, yet. It would take somebody with both enough magic skill and power. The more severe the... damage, the more power that would be required, and that wouldn't be cheap. I usually try to avoid situations that could lead to dismemberment."
Tom
player, 144 posts
I'm a good man...
Well, I'm all right
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 11:07
  • msg #471

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"I'll have what she's having." Said Tom after hearing Krystal's order.

He looked at Bogey and sighed: "I guess I should really try to learn some healing spells. They are a bit too temperamental for my taste, but it looks like I might need some in the future. "
Krystal O'Conner
player, 188 posts
the odd one
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 11:25
  • msg #472

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Krystal frowned at Tom, "Wait. There are spells for that? And you're how old? And you're just NOW realizing it might be good to mend someone with a spell? Oh, right - you're a cat."
Tom
player, 145 posts
I'm a good man...
Well, I'm all right
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 12:05
  • msg #473

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Tom looked obliquely at Krystal, and his ear actually twitched, even though he was in human form: "Yes, dear, indeed, I am a Bast. I have infinite lives, I am actually stronger when I'm dead, and also, when I say healing spells are 'temperamental', I mean you might accidentally grow somebody a new head. If they were safe and simple, you'd see them in hospitals all the time. The second thing people asked when they found out that magic was real was: can we use it to heal people? The first, of course, was: can we use it to hurt people?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:06, Fri 13 Feb 2015.
Corbin Frost
NPC, 1 post
Writer, Vampire,
Man about town
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 12:14
  • msg #474

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Corbin came gliding into the room, in his customary impeccable suit. He moved with natural grace and had a presence that attracted attention even when he wasn't trying. "Avoiding dismemberment is a good rule of thumb for anyone, I should think." He gave a nod to Krystal and said, "A woman after my own heart." He walked over to her and took her hand in his, giving it a quick kiss. "Corbin Frost, and I am delighted to make your acquaintance." He turned toward the bartender. "Give them the Johnnie Walker, after all he was a friend. Make one for me, too." He walked over to Jack and shook his hand. "Nice to see you again, Jack." He quickly made the rounds, shaking hands with Bogie and Tom, too. "I'm glad you could all join us. What are the rest of you drinking?"

"I uh... don't really, I mean I can't actually." Bogie stammered, clearly unsure what to make of Corbin.

"Nonsense, my dear boy," Corbin said. "As you pointed out, magic makes many things possible." Corbin went to a cabinet behind him and unlocked it with a key from his pocket. He retrieved an unlabeled, ornate bottle and poured a glass of dark liquid. He handed it to Bogie and said with a wink, "Trust me."

"I'm afraid I don't have anything for you, my dear." To most people, it looked like Corbin was speaking to empty space. "I'll work on that for next time. Please, take a seat."

"I heard you mentioning the situation with the harpies. Perhaps I can help with that. Quietly, behind the scenes."

"Yes, can't ruin your reputation by having people think you care." Belladonna spoke in her thick Hispanic accent as she entered the room. She was accompanied by an attractive blonde woman. It was the same woman the group had heard singing sultry jazz songs at the club.

"It's more like I don't want every charity case approaching me with a hand out," Corbin said. "At any rate, I'll have Rose look into it." He gestured toward the two women. "I'm sure you all know our hostess, Belladonna, and this is the lovely Tatiana."

Belladonna was dressed in a black, silk pantsuit with her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail. Tatiana was wearing a shimmering blue gown, that matched her eyes. Her wavy blonde hair was draped loose, around her shoulders.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:14, Fri 13 Feb 2015.
Zoey Granger
player, 122 posts
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 16:36
  • msg #475

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Zoey stood there awkwardly as she often did of late, she decided it best to keep her sorrows about not being able to enjoy the finer things of life, such as well-crafted free drinks, to herself. She had slowly learned, in mixed company she was often more distracting than useful when she tried to speak over others. Suddenly she realized Corbin had looked right at her, "Wait. Can you see me? Is it cause you're dead? Well, no wait, Bogie's dead too. Oh gosh, can uhh can they see me too?" Zoey asked as she gestured weakly toward the two women that had just entered, quickly Zoey attempted brushing her hair down with her hands, "Excuse my manners, I'm very new to this whole...thing, I just assumed-- well, thank you for having us here Mr. Frost, your place is quite stunning." She extended her hand in greeting as she completely forgot herself, "Oh! Right, still--yup, okay I'm just gonna try to sit over here now, feel free to ignore me, I think it's better I just get used to it after all"
Corbin Frost
NPC, 2 posts
Writer, Vampire,
Man about town
Fri 13 Feb 2015
at 18:43
  • msg #476

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"You're adorable, my dear," Corbin smiled at Zoey. "No, it isn't a universal trait. One that Belladonna does not share but, Tatiana..." He turned to look at the blonde woman. "Tat, your ability to see and hear spirits is... situational, correct?"

Tatiana's attention had been drawn to Krystal from the moment she entered the room. She had not taken her eyes off of Krys until Corbin spoke to her. She quickly looked over at him and nodded silently. She seemed almost shy. She moved to sit down in an ornate chair near the door. Belladonna remained standing next to her.

Corbin returned his attention to Zoey. "Please, call me Corbin. Mr. Frost just makes me feel ever so old. This is actually Bella's place." He gestured to Belladonna. "She just lets me entertain here from time to time."

Bogie swished his drink around and even sniffed it, before finally taking a sip. "Wow... that's weird. But a good kind of weird."

"I'm pleased you like it," Corbin said as he sat down in a tall, leather chair near the bar. He had a cigar in his hand but, he didn't light it. He just twirled it between his fingers.

The bartender passed out glasses of Johnnie Walker Blue to Corbin, Krys, Tom and Jack. Belladonna was handed a wineglass filled with a dark red liquid. Tatiana was poured a glass of very expensive, bottled water. Once all the drinks had been served, Belladonna thanked the bartender and told him he could go. He gave a quick nod and left, closing the door behind him.

"If you like this," Corbin said as he lifted his glass, "You must come over sometime and sample my private collection. I have a few, limited runs they did of some special recipes."
Jack Jennings
player, 315 posts
INS Reporter
Sat 14 Feb 2015
at 16:13
  • msg #477

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Jack had put on an air of confidence, but truth be told, a place like Tabú was above his station.  He had only been inside the club while working on the job, but Jack knew he did not have the moxie, wardrobe, or pocket cash to get through the doors as a customer.  And now he was in a private lounge!  This was not his element, but he was going to make the best of it.

Jack tried to take in the opulence of the room without looking like a fanny-packed, camera neck slung, slovenly dressed tourist.  The offerings at the bar included bottles he had heard about, but had never actually seen.  The top shelf at the Liar's Club most likely didn't grace the bottom shelf of this bar.

Corbin's entrance was warm and friendly and just a bit unsettling to Jack.  How could this man that is so far from Jack's station in life be this welcoming to him?  Maybe Jack was paranoid.

"Cheers" Jack said as he settled into a chair and toasted their host. Jack noted Belladonna's coolness was a stark contrast to Corbin's warmth.  As for the new woman, Tatiana was ... mysterious.  He couldn't get a read on her, yet.

"Anything you could do to help the harpies would be good.  Paul really did a number on Aello.  As a race, they are on the verge of extinction.  If she is actually the last of their kind that can have children we really need to save her." Jack said.

"Umm, that is good!  I would really like to hear your stories of Johnny Walker.  I am only aware of his occasionally angry red phase.  But this blue?  It would seem that Mr. Walker became quite a refined gentleman."  Jack said as he tapped the glass with his finger.
Tatiana
NPC, 1 post
Sat 14 Feb 2015
at 21:56
  • msg #478

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"It is nothing short of a tragedy," Tatiana spoke in a soft, melodic voice. "Watching yet another race beaten to such dwindling numbers. It is... heartbreaking."

Belladonna wrapped her arm around the other woman's shoulders in a protective, comforting gesture.

"I'm sorry, Tat," Corbin said in a gentle voice. "We probably shouldn't have brought you in on this."

"I'm glad you did." Tatiana turned toward Jack. "You said her name is Aello? I'd like to see her. Perhaps there's something I can do."

Corbin and Belladonna exchanged slightly concerned looks. "Honey, you don't need to do that," Belladonna said. "Corbin can bring in the best doctors money can buy."

"Doctors that have never treated one of her kind." Tatiana shook her head. "They'll be learning as they go and could end up doing more harm." She took one of Belladonna's hands and squeezed it. "I know my limitations and I promise I'll be careful. I need to help."

Belladonna sighed and then looked over at Corbin, giving him the slightest nod.

"I'll make some arrangements," he said. "Maybe she can be moved to a private facility first, so we can control the environment."

"Thank you." Tatiana sat back in her chair and sipped her water, while Belladonna continued to hold her other hand.
Corbin Frost
NPC, 3 posts
Writer, Vampire,
Man about town
Sat 14 Feb 2015
at 23:10
  • msg #479

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"Actually, John Walker never drank." Corbin said, shifting the conversation back to the lighter topic of whisky. "It was his son, Alex, who came up with the first blends and changed their family's fortunes. The Blue is supposed to be based on one of his old recipes." Corbin took a sip. "It's... close."

Turning to look at Jack, Corbin said. "I read your stories about this tattoo artist. I gather he's in the wind and the police have no leads. Is there anything you can tell us that wasn't in your stories?"
Jack Jennings
player, 316 posts
INS Reporter
Sun 15 Feb 2015
at 15:44
  • msg #480

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Jack noted Corbin's comment was that of a memory, not research regarding the whiskey.  That was just something he would have to accept and move on from.

"Well, some of the gritty details and opinions were left out.  It goes towards journalistic integrity.  I would have like to call him the sadist that he is, but I know my editor would strike comments like that.  It is giving the story a slanted view, he would say.  And I only said that he had "captured and tortured a young woman," but not how or why.  I didn't want to give anyone else a hint as to the secret ingredients to Lix."  Jack took another sip of good ol' Johnny.  It forced a slight smile on his lips as the warmth spread.

"I told the police all that I know, but he has covered his tracks well.  I just get the feeling that being a drug dealer is not the core of 'Paul's' being.  Drug dealers I have known don't think that far ahead.  They are in it for the quick cash, power, and women.  This was too planned out, to calculated to be the work of just another drug dealer.  That has me worried." Jack said.
Krystal O'Conner
player, 189 posts
the odd one
Mon 16 Feb 2015
at 21:51
  • msg #481

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Krystal was uncharacteristically quite after shaking hands with Corbin and hearing hims speak. It wasn't the type of talk she would have expected from someone as old and glamours as he was seen. He was clearly name dropping to be impressive but he didn't seem to do so in a crass or uncultured way. It would be the difference between Louis and Lestat.

Krystal kept her gaze from fixating on Tatiana, curious why the woman would be paying attention to her, of all people, but not wanting to assume or offend. So, she still remained quiet and loops a Matchbox 20 song in her head. Her thought sub-vocalizing the instrumental.

When the conversation finally turned to something she could feel more in her element with she cleared her throat. "He said he's trying to give normal people the powers of paras." she paused to make sure she wasn't out of line for speaking, then mentally chastised herself and decided to go on, "I was in... a position to try and get information out of him. He seemed to think that using Lix would be a good way to awaken abilities in normal humans so that they could overpower the paras." after a single beat she added, "Yes. He hates paras so much he's wants to make people more powerful than all of us. And, somehow "
Belladonna
NPC, 2 posts
Owner of Tabu
Tue 17 Feb 2015
at 11:58
  • msg #482

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"Humans," Belladonna spit the word out. "They bitch and complain about us but, then they seek out magic to be like us. When they muck up the magic and it goes awry - they blame us!" She had let go of Tatiana's hand and was speaking with animated gestures. "Somehow, it always ends up being the fault of paras."

"Lix is a terrible thing," Corbin said. "I don't think anyone wants to see that make a comeback."

"Is that what they've been looking for?" Belladonna asked. "They think my club is a den for buying and selling drugs?"

"Tabú has been getting frequent, surprise inspections since this whole mess started," Corbin explained to the others. "It's borderline harassment."

"Borderline?" Belladonna snorted. She finished the drink in her hand, and made her way to the bar to refill it.
Tom
player, 146 posts
I'm a good man...
Well, I'm all right
Tue 17 Feb 2015
at 16:54
  • msg #483

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Tom looked intently at his drink, which was about halfway done - he had been sipping it, since he didn't want to be completely drunk once he reverted back to his normal weight. "I think some people would happily risk their life and sanity on Lix just for a chance to get some supernatural powers."

He took another sip before continuing: "In fact, I think some countries would happily risk their people's life and sanity on the off chance they could get their hands on somebody with the right mindset and the right powers."

This time, the sip was longer. "I'm honestly happy 'Paul' never thought to seek help from rogue countries and confined himself to 'helping' one human at a time. The amount of damage he could do if he ever figured it out..."

When he put down the glass, it was empty.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:56, Tue 17 Feb 2015.
Zed Bogan
NPC, 23 posts
Bogie
Living Dead Boy
Wed 18 Feb 2015
at 13:48
  • msg #484

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"If he's an alchemist, can the police track him that way?" Bogie asked. "I mean, there are things he would need. Hard to get things. Are the cops talking to other alchemists?"

Corbin shook his head. "No alchemist of any real skill would cooperate with the police, not officially anyway. There's still a lot of distrust on both sides."

"What about your friend?" Belladonna asked.

"Darlin' I have many friends." Corbin leaned back in his chair. "You'll have to be more specific."

"The crazy witch doctor." Belladonna made a face with wide eyes and waved her hand over her head, suggesting big, wild hair.

"Bernie?" Corbin frowned at her. "I don't think he'd appreciate being categorized as either crazy or a witch doctor."

"But you knew exactly who I meant when I said it.

"True." Corbin smiled. "I can reach out. I'm not sure I'll learn anything useful but, the alchemy community isn't going to want a bad apple like this spoiling their image even more than it already has been."
Corbin Frost
NPC, 4 posts
Writer, Vampire,
Man about town
Fri 20 Feb 2015
at 12:43
  • msg #485

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Tatiana continued to quietly sip her water. Her eyes had darted around the room, briefly landing on each of their guests. It was impossible to tell if this was one of those situtational moments where she could see Zoey, or not. She wasn't making eye contact with anyone long enough to be sure. The only person her eyes ever lingered on was Krystal. Belladonna never looked at anyone except Corbin and Tatiana. The rest of the group might as well have been unseen spirits to her, just like Zoey.

Corbin noticed Tom's empty glass and stood up to fetch the bottle. "Refill?" He made the same offer to the rest of the group.

Belladonna didn't need to be asked. She was already pouring herself another drink. "If the harpies had been his only victims, do any of us really think the police would be looking into this at all? We need more of our people in positions of power."

"We're working on it, dear." Corbin's calm contrasted with her agitated demeanor. "Change takes time."

Belladonna moved to hover near Tatiana again, while she worked on her fresh drink. "You should run for office, Corbin. You're well-liked by all parties."

"A public servant? Me?" Corbin gave her an incredulous look. "What a distasteful notion." He shook his head. "I have no interest in that, even among our own community."

"Which is a mistake," Belladonna insisted.

"You over-estimate my influence." Corbin turned to look at her. "If you think it's such a grand idea, why don't you seek a position in the hierarchy?"

Belladonna rolled her eyes. "We both know, I don't have the patience for the petty games. You're the one who told me my diplomatic style is too Red Queen - off with their heads!" She was gesturing so wildly with her hands, it was a wonder she wasn't spilling her drink.

"A topic for another day, my dear." Corbin returned his attention to the rest of the group. "My apologies, we're being rude. I'm sure you find the politics of vampires even more tedious than we do."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:45, Fri 20 Feb 2015.
Tom
player, 147 posts
I'm a good man...
Well, I'm all right
Fri 20 Feb 2015
at 20:33
  • msg #486

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

When Corbin offered more whiskey, Tom shook his head with a sad smile and explained:  "This is the best whiskey I ever had, and I would very much like to have more... Unfortunately, my natural form weighs less than one tenth my human one, and while the effect doesn't scale linearly, it does scale enough that I can't have much more than a double. Though, I am honestly considering losing a life just to have another."

He chuckled at Corbin's statement about vampire politics: "Bast politics, such as they are, take literal decades to effect the smallest change. Large scale political debates, for lack of a better word, can take millennia. Doesn't get much more boring than that. "
Corbin Frost
NPC, 5 posts
Writer, Vampire,
Man about town
Mon 23 Feb 2015
at 14:05
  • msg #487

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"One of the few drawbacks to immortality is that the debates can become, quite literally, endless." Corbin smiled at Tom. "But I'm not complaining. It's just a minor nuisance."

"I should get ready," Tatiana said.

"Do we pay him now?" Belladonna asked.

"No dear," Corbin answered. "That journalitic integrity Jack mentioned earlier. I'm afraid it wouldn't be good for him if it appeared he was being bribed by us for good press. Corbin looked at Jack. "However, you shouldn't be stuck with the expenses." He gestured toward Jack's arm in a sling. "Put together a list of the medical bills and anything else you and your friends incurred and send it to Rose. We'll take care of it."

Tatiana set her water down as she stood up. Corbin also stood and walked both women to the door.

"Will we see you, Friday night?" Belladonna asked.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world," Corbin said. He gave both women a kiss on the cheek and then Belladonna and Tatiana walked away arm in arm.

Corbin turned toward the group. "I appreciate you looking into this. If anything new develops, let me know. I have other business to attend to but, stay and use the room as long as you like. Help yourself to any food or drink that you may want. When you're ready to leave, just let the staff know. My driver, Jimmy, can take each of you wherever you need to go." He shook everyone's hand again before he left the room.

As soon as the three of them were gone, Bogie spoke in a hushed whisper. "Am I the only one who feels like the nerd that just got invited to sit at the cool kids table? And you're left wondering - did they do it to genuinely be nice, or are they going to kick the chair out from under you at some point so they can laugh at you."
Jack Jennings
player, 317 posts
INS Reporter
Mon 23 Feb 2015
at 23:59
  • msg #488

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

"Oh Bogie, you're just paranoid." Jack admonished his friend.  "But, you are also not entirely wrong,"  he said with a wink.

Jack got up and headed to the bar.  "Paranoid or not, I for one am not going to squander my time at the 'cool' table."  As Jack poured himself another drink, he asked aloud,  "Where's the phone and a menu?  This drink will truly be complemented by a nice thick steak.  And a shrimp cocktail."
CTA
GM, 381 posts
Chicago Transit Authority
Hope you enjoy the ride
Mon 2 Mar 2015
at 13:12
  • msg #489

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

After an evening enjoying Corbin's tab, everyone was eventually dropped off at their homes. Corbin kept his word and within a week, Aello was moved to a private acute care facility. Tatiana would see her on a regular basis and, after each visit Aello would improve a little bit. The medical staff couldn't explain why.

A package arrived addressed to Tom and Krystal. It was a 750ml bottle of Johnnie Walker Blue with a note of thanks from Corbin. Jack received a similar gift.
Tom, Cat
player, 40 posts
I Killed Curiosity
So Sue Me
Mon 2 Mar 2015
at 17:44
  • msg #490

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Tom looked at the bottle for long seconds: {If being enemies with that guy is just as bad as being friends with him is good - and something tells me it's worse... Well, I like that we are on his good side. Also, my precious red diamond, I believe I'll be keeping this. We don't want it to accidentally end before the month is over, do we?}
This message was last edited by the player at 17:48, Mon 02 Mar 2015.
CTA
GM, 383 posts
Chicago Transit Authority
Hope you enjoy the ride
Wed 4 Mar 2015
at 21:39
  • msg #491

Re: Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

Sweet dreams are made of these
Who am I to disagree?
Travel the world and the seven seas
Everybody's looking for something

Some of them want to use you
Some of them want to get used by you
Some of them want to abuse you
Some of them want to be abused

I'm gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside
Gonna use you and abuse you
I'm gonna know what's inside you


Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) ~ Marilyn Manson
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_E18F-Mu8Yo)


Krystal knew it wasn't her dream she had wandered into. Sometimes her dreams would just be dreams, like anyone else's but, other times her dreams could be warnings or premonitions. The dead would occasionally use her dreams to send her messages - confusing, difficult to interrupt messages. Now and then, she would find herself in somebody else's dream. Krystal was never able to interact in these dreams. She would be like the fly on the wall, watching somebody else's happy memory or their nightmare. The dreamers never seemed to realize she was there.

She was in darkness but, Krystal could hear music playing from somewhere. It was like it was on a loop, playing the same chords over and over again. She had never heard this piece of music before but, it must be stuck inside the dreamer's mind. There was a sense of frustration within the music. Was the dreamer bothered because they couldn't make the music stop?

She saw a light up ahead and decided it was walk towards it or stand here in darkness. Doing something was always better than being bored while stuck in someone's head. As she moved toward it, the music seemed to get louder. The scene began to fill in around her but, the only colors were black and white. It was as if Krystal was inside of an A-Ha video. The only thing that looked real was a man, wearing nothing but black briefs.

"Not sure where this is going." she muttered to herself, assuming that nothing she did ever seemed to matter.

The man had his back to Krystal as he sat at a desk that looked like a three-dimensional line drawing. He appeared to be sketching something but, his body blocked Krystal's view of whatever he was working on. He lifted his head and looked over his shoulder. It was "Paul". He seemed to be staring through Krystal, into the darkness. Krystal turned to look over her shoulder, then back to the man she reviled. After a moment, he returned to his work so she carefully approached now trying her best not to be felt or seen. He had a ring on his right hand that resembled the skull of a bird with a very sharp beak so she blinked once to capture it in her mind.

He then stabbed his left hand with the sharp point letting several drops of his blood fall into the jar of ink. He took a feather quill and dipped it into the bloody ink and then continued to draw. As he did so, streaks of red were added to the black and white of Krystal's surroundings. She looked around at the surroundings as they changed and let slip a slight noise of surprise.

Suddenly, Paul spun around again grabbing her attention. This time, Krystal felt like he was looking right at her. That had never happened before when she had walked through somebody else's dream. His hand quickly moved to bury whatever he was drawing under some blank papers just as Krystal leaned to look. He tilted his head and squinted as he looked toward her and her skin ran cold. "Krystal?" A slow smile crossed his face and her pulse hammered in her ears. "Interesting. You do know that when you open this kind of doorway with somebody who knows what they're doing, it swings both ways. If you can crawl around inside my head, I can crawl around inside yours." Krystal suddenly felt more vulnerable than she'd ever felt before in her life.

"But not tonight," Paul stood up as the music abruptly stopped. "I'm actually glad you survived. This is going to be fun." A door that hadn't been there before suddenly appeared between her and Paul. He slammed it shut, and Krystal was jarringly awakened in her bed. She quickly grabbed her sheets around her half naked body feeling helpless and exposed for the first time in over a decade.

Leaping from the bed she ran to the bathroom where she literally threw up at the idea of Paul inside of her mind. She'd always felt she was in a person's dreams because the powers that be wanted her to help them - now it seemed they'd given him a way to get inside of her head. She turned on the shower and climbed in, not even bothering to remove the shorts she'd worn to bed.

Eventually the shower would turn cold but she didn't notice.




Playlist for Episode 101: The Crow and The Butterfly

The Crow and The Butterfly ~ Shinedown
Timed Blues ~ Dead Sara
Weatherman ~ Dead Sara
Only The Good Die Young ~ Billy Joel
Revolution ~ The Beatles
Sympathy For The Devil ~ The Rolling Stones
Temptation ~ Diana Krall (performed by Tatiana)
Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) ~ Green Day
What Sarah Said ~ Death Cab For Cutie
Lost ~ Amanda Palmer (performed by Krystal)
If I Die Young ~ The Band Perry
Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life) ~ Green Day (performed by Frank)
Freezer ~ Grinspoon
Walking Dead ~ Linkin Park
This Tattoo ~ David Wilcox
The Kill ~ 30 Seconds To Mars
Lullaby ~ The Cure
Burning Down the House ~ Talking Heads (performed by Krystal)
Puttin' On the Ritz ~ Fred Astaire
Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This) ~ Marilyn Manson
The Late Great Planet Earth ~ Plumb (our theme song)

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