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12:41, 28th March 2024 (GMT+0)

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

Posted by DragondogFor group 0
Dragondog
GM, 171 posts
GM
Storyteller
Tue 26 Nov 2019
at 17:17
  • msg #1

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

Previously on Shadowland
Four students at Croatan College had driven a 6x6 Mercedez Benz pickup to San Diego.
At their final stop, they had witnessed an all-out battle between vampires and werewolves.
Three of them had died! All of them had been transformed into something more.

To save the unlives of two, all four had entered the shadow world of vampires in the service of Baron De La Vega.

And they then scattered to the winds to find their own part of Shadowland.




Asali drives an old car with Dean in the passenger seat. You are traveling west in the city. You started after sunset from near Five Willow Spring, in the more rural parts of the county, where you had spent the past week in training. You were running some errands.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:43, Thu 28 Nov 2019.
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 90 posts
Tue 26 Nov 2019
at 18:26
  • msg #2

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

It had been a week, although it felt like a short lifetime.

Every night was spent trying to cram as much new information as he could into his head, and every morning he went into the oblivion of the day sleep trying to deal with the shock of it all.

He had been keeping mental note of things to talk with Jack about when they next met, and he had been getting closer to deciding on a plan. He was considering more or less heading into Mexico, then sneaking back across the border leaving his disappearance in the hands of the shady border towns, coyotes and cartels. Things were a mess down in TJ and American tourists vanished all the time.

He had pulled out his cash, as if he was going on a big trip. This also limited his involvement with the banks in the future. And then he had spent nearly a full night bouncing around between thrift stores trying to find things in his size. He was now favoring a decidedly more rural look, and has some on old brown logging boots, broken in blue jeans, a t-shirt and a flannel.

At first, the silence out there, the lack of wi-fi, had bothered him. But he was already feeling more at home. He had enough things to worry about as is and the crowds and traffic and cameras and the threat of werewolves, hunters and who knew what else made him appreciate an area where he could see and hear things coming.

He had not picked up a dog yet, although he was aware of the value of one. He had just felt too mobile to worry about feed, care and training. He had been looking an Enduro style motorcycles however, and was hoping to pick one up as soon as he could manage it. Asali had rubbed off on him in more ways than one.

"So is it true?" he asked out of the blue. "The silver thing and werewolves?"
Asali Amir
NPC Schimba Vampire, 12 posts
5'6" 115 lbs Dog Owner
Dean's Sire
Wed 27 Nov 2019
at 21:18
  • msg #3

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

"I guess that depends on what you have heard," Asali says. "Silver does kill them, as does our claws. Silver also prevents them from healing. So silver is a good ally. Almost as good as a dog.
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 91 posts
Wed 27 Nov 2019
at 22:08
  • msg #4

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

Dean smiles. He likes dogs, he was probably going to get one in the future, but he did not feel he was in a good place for one at the moment. Asali really liked dogs, so it was an effort to explain his reasoning for the delay on occasion.

"Yeah, not like there's a lot of pure silver just laying around out there though". He glanced out the window. "How do you make money by the way? I get that Schimba is not like, say, Cravat when it comes to fancy cars and all that. Bit I'd imagine it's still nice to have some on hand now and then?"

He had been trying to give her a break from the constant questions over the past few days, but these seemed like good ones to know.
Dragondog
GM, 174 posts
GM
Storyteller
Thu 28 Nov 2019
at 06:06
  • msg #5

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

"We Schimba are more into the nature and animal side of things and generally hang out at the edge of cities than inside them. So we're generally the first to encounter wolves. And we generally seek sources of income that allows for that freedom. Having to do it at night limits our options."

"You may have seen the dust road airport near where we've been staying, I own On the Rocks Airport. It doesn't see much traffic, but there are some powerful people who like the privacy and they are willing to pay a premium so that we can remain open. And as others operate it for me, it can be used 24/7. If you have the money to invest, owning a business where others do the work and you get the profit, allows me to do what I do best."

"As for the Baron, he has an image to uphold. I suspect he likes that image and that that is at least one of the reasons he has used his age derived wealth to do what I do, only on a larger scale. Most Assassins are generally not that ostentatious."
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 92 posts
Thu 28 Nov 2019
at 17:44
  • msg #6

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

"That makes sense" Dean replies. If Werewolves did stereotypically prefer rural areas, they were bound to come into contact with Clan Shimba earlier and more often than the others.

"I guess I'll have to come up with something then. Did that sound like a solid plan to you? Disappearing over the border? It's not perfect but I figure it's better than just... disappearing."
Asali Amir
NPC Schimba Vampire, 13 posts
5'6" 115 lbs Dog Owner
Dean's Sire
Thu 28 Nov 2019
at 18:05
  • msg #7

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

"That's a new problem for me," Asali says. "The ones I've trained previously have all been legally dead. It usually takes days for the infection to take hold and raise you to unlife. I've never heard of anyone besides the two of you who made the transition in hours."

"You know your family better than I do. Would they accept your disappearance as your death? Or would they look for you? Would your family feel better about a fake death with remains that can be buried or would a disappearance be sufficient?"
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 93 posts
Thu 28 Nov 2019
at 18:30
  • msg #8

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

Dean thinks about the question for a few moments. "Remains would be ideal, sure, but where would we get something like that? Especially my size?"

The sudden nature of their transformation he had no answer for, and he made a mental note to ask Sparrow and the guys about it next time he saw them.
Asali Amir
NPC Schimba Vampire, 14 posts
5'6" 115 lbs Dog Owner
Dean's Sire
Thu 28 Nov 2019
at 18:45
  • msg #9

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

Asali sighs.

"I know people who can make that happen. Unfortunately, they are the kind of people you don't want to own a favor."
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 94 posts
Thu 28 Nov 2019
at 22:58
  • msg #10

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

Dean made a sort of grunting sound. "I've got enough on my plate already. Next time I see Jack I'll see if he wants in, and if he does, maybe we'll just make the run south."

He did wonder when he would see his friends again. Not that he minded being out here, it was just that Asali was his Sire. He felt he had to conduct himself a certain way in her presence. They were not equals by any stretch, and the freedom of being among friends was something he missed at times.

"So what's the plan for tonight?" He asked, having obeyed her command to get in the car first thing after they had awoken.
Asali Amir
NPC Schimba Vampire, 15 posts
5'6" 115 lbs Dog Owner
Dean's Sire
Thu 28 Nov 2019
at 23:42
  • msg #11

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

"That may be a wise choice," Asali says. "As for today, we have some errands to run and some people to see." She then pulls over at a garage. There are some motorcycles parked in front of the building and there's a large roof over the front area. A large sign says Sunny Day Motorcycles. "You wanted a motorcycle, this is the place."
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 95 posts
Fri 29 Nov 2019
at 00:02
  • msg #12

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

Dean smiles gently as he gets out of the car. He has come to trust Asali, and it was thanks to little things like this. He did need transportation, and she had brought him here to resolve the problem.

While he was loath to part with what little money he had saved, he needed something to get around, and he would not be able to follow Asali around like a puppy forever.

He had decided on a bike for a number of reasons, including but not limited to cost, utility, fuel, being able to manuver in traffic and his newfound ability to more or less regenerate incredible wounds through Vampirism. Taking a bad hit on a bike was a lot less terrifying when you could knot flesh and bone over the course of a few nights.

That being the case, many bikes were still too small for him, and so he took an interest in the largest one he could find, an old tan and black KLR 650. Not the sexiest or the fastest, but it could take a beating and he did not look comical astride it.

He glanced to the little sticker on the windshield.
Dragondog
GM, 178 posts
GM
Storyteller
Fri 29 Nov 2019
at 01:13
  • msg #13

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

A Polynesian couple exits the garage.

The male, who exits first, and Asali wrap the fingers of their right hand around the other's thumb at about chest height, pull each other a little closer and than slap the other on the back. She then repeats the greeting with the female.

"This is Kai and Matahina," Asali says. "They are members of the club too."

[The male is portrayed by Temuera Morrison and the female by Vaitiaré Hirshon.]
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 97 posts
Fri 29 Nov 2019
at 14:42
  • msg #14

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

"How's it goin guys? Good to meet you." Dean jerks his head up as he greets them. "I'm new, obviously" he shrugs slightly. "Nice place" he looks around at the bikes before them.
Dragondog
GM, 183 posts
GM
Storyteller
Fri 29 Nov 2019
at 15:43
  • msg #15

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

The newcomers greeted Dean. "He is a big guy," Matahina says.

"Yeah. Which is why he needs a big bike."

"It's ready for him," Kai says and walks over to the bike Dean had looked at earlier. "We listed it at twice the cost of a new one just to make sure no one else would buy it. He ripped the sticker. Why don't you try it out for a while and let us know how it works and we can talk about payment later."
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 98 posts
Fri 29 Nov 2019
at 16:14
  • msg #16

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

"Really?" Dean seems surprised at the generosity and trust. "Well thanks Kai" he smiles and nods slightly "I'll be sure to stay in touch. Well, Asali would tear me a new one if I didn't, but, ya know" he glanced to his Sire with a smile. "I appreciate it" he adds more seriously.

Now he felt the need to get Kai and Matahina some money for the bike all the more. He had nearly always been on a team growing up, and he finds himself taking on the Clan Schimba identity all the more as the nights pass.
Dragondog
GM, 188 posts
GM
Storyteller
Fri 29 Nov 2019
at 20:05
  • msg #17

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

"Really," Matahina confirms.

Asali's phone rings and she brought it out of her pocket. "Can you load up the bike, it's the Baron."

She steps away and starts talking on the phone while the couple loads the bike up on the pickup bed.

"The Baron needs us Big Guy," Asali says to Dean as she is putting the phone away.
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 99 posts
Fri 29 Nov 2019
at 21:12
  • msg #18

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

Dean immediately hopped up in the back and got to work securing the bike with a few ratchet straps when Asali asked Kai and Matahina to load the bike.

When Asali came back, Dean was standing on the bed when he got the news that the Baron wanted to see them. He immediately felt a knot in his stomach, or at least perceived something along those lines. We this it? We're they being sent into something dangerous?

He jumped down and thanked the couple again before he loaded up in the truck for the drive into the city.
Dragondog
GM, 192 posts
GM
Storyteller
Sat 30 Nov 2019
at 12:43
  • msg #19

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

The duo returns to Arcane Lux, parks in the underground garage, and is guided up to the private third floor by a MIB. This time you are ushered into the Baron's office. Which it turns out is larger than the Oval Office and more imposing!

Two other individuals are in the room, Asali goes up to one of them, has a brief conversation, and Feeds for a second, before closing the wound and stepping back.

The other person is the big guy you Fed on a week ago and with a gesture, the Baron invites you to Feed. "I need you both at your prime."
Dean Mason
PC Schimba Vampire, 100 posts
Sat 30 Nov 2019
at 15:37
  • msg #20

1.2 Family - Old and New (Dean)

The stark contrast between their own existence and that of Prince De Vega is all the more clear upon Dean's return to the Arcane Lux and its inner chambers.

With enough time, and momentum it occurred to him that a successful Vampire could earn billions over the decades or centuries through investment. That was even without the tricks of the blood and whatever else he may not be aware of yet.

But was that for him? Could he ever approach anything resembling comfort in a place like this? It is hard for him to imagine, but he suspects that much like Asali, his future is not bound for a palace whatever happens.

He stares up and around the cavernous space, feeling conspicuous in his t-shirt, flannel and dusty jeans. He nods deeply to the Prince in respect, and then nods to the man he has been offered before he takes his fill. The Prince does not need to offer a free meal twice.

When he closes the puncture wounds and steps back he looks to the Prince expectantly, but says nothing, aware that Asali is the ranking Vampire here and should probably speak first.
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