|
|
Post by crux on Nov 29, 2015 11:16:12 GMT -5
Crux was the last one to shuffle into the van, fairly quiet and holding Karen as she watched Joseph closely. It's worth noticing that she's still not looked into Cassidy's eyes since the snafu the night before. Though she's not said much about it, she no longer feels safe in the company of Cass. She no longer feels like Cinnamon is safe with him, either.
Of course, she sits very close to the mummy with a pleasant smile and she fiddles with her phone, looking to him. "Do you have a phone number, in case we get separated or need to meet up once again?"
Then, to Cinnamon, she smiles again. "Feeling better after a day?"
During this, she, of course, is texting Johann, a simple message of <Ey Cutie big problems happened, I need to ask a private question. xoxoxo Crux >
|
|
|
|
Post by thevoiceofgod on Nov 29, 2015 11:57:39 GMT -5
Crux was the last one to shuffle into the van, fairly quiet and holding Karen as she watched Joseph closely. It's worth noticing that she's still not looked into Cassidy's eyes since the snafu the night before. Though she's not said much about it, she no longer feels safe in the company of Cass. She no longer feels like Cinnamon is safe with him, either. Of course, she sits very close to the mummy with a pleasant smile and she fiddles with her phone, looking to him. "Do you have a phone number, in case we get separated or need to meet up once again?" Then, to Cinnamon, she smiles again. "Feeling better after a day?" During this, she, of course, is texting Johann, a simple message of <Ey Cutie big problems happened, I need to ask a private question. xoxoxo Crux > Joseph, now dressed properly by his cultists in an unassuming jeans/t-shirt/jacket combination, fishes a smartphone out of his pocket. "Yes, I have been provided with one of these devices. I am not altogether familiar with its use... it has been many centuries since I last awoke. But I can... yes. Here." With some difficulty, he navigates to the Device Info page so as to share his number. "It also can access an information network of some kind? Quite marvelous. The 'Street View' in particular was useful for identifying buildings whose architects still used principles of the sacred geometries. I need to investigate some of these buildings." Johann's response is briefly delayed. <How private we talkin', honey?> |
|
|
|
Post by crux on Nov 29, 2015 14:03:13 GMT -5
<Nobody else, alive or dead or anything elsewise can know what's up. Just me and you. xoxoxoxoCrux>
She smiled at Joseph and nodded, adding his number once the text had been discreetly sent, and then motioning to have his phone in return. "I can put all of our numbers in your contacts list if you like. It's super easy. And.. yup, that's Google. Google is pretty fucking rad."
|
|
|
|
Post by thevoiceofgod on Nov 30, 2015 0:44:15 GMT -5
Bing! <Sure. I won't tell anyone. Hit me.>
Joseph, looking both relieved and grateful, hands his phone over to Crux. "Yes, please show me. I may learn and acclimate quickly - by the will of Tem-Sepu," Here he pauses and briefly crosses his arms across his chest in the same manner as the reliefs on Egyptian sarcophagi. "But even so, the world of the Living changes rapidly. There is always so much new to learn."
|
|
|
|
Post by crux on Nov 30, 2015 1:49:50 GMT -5
<People who make deals with you, any way to keep them from killing one another, bby? Cass was agro to Cinn so I put him to sleep but then he threatened to kill me. Can't B trusted, it's BS, now I need to figure protection from him. BTW I wiki'd etiquette do you date wanna go on one??? xoxo Crux>
"How long do you get to stay topside for? Does it all hurt to come back or go to sleep?" She began with Joseph, testing his personal space limits by scooting closer. As a pawn shop clerk, she knows a decent amount about phones in general. [rolled a 16 in computers cause it seemed fitting?]
"Okay," she began to explain once she was done, "Here are our numbers, and names, and this is how you find us. You can type like this to text, which is generally more discreet for communication."
|
|
|
|
Post by cassidy on Nov 30, 2015 2:14:16 GMT -5
Cassidy hadn't even started the van yet. Like most of the party, he was dragging his feet. He was feeling, and playing with the bright pink stitches Gloria had sewn his arm shut with. It was a hell of a night. He had sat there after the specter had vanished looking at his arm, and watching the blood pour from the gash he bit into his arm. His vision had gone blurry before he finally called Gloria for help. He was pretty sure he was unconscious when she arrived. He couldn't remember. There was a lot of blood.
That wasn't the only thing tearing away at the corners of his mind. He was angry, and upset at how he conducted himself the previous few days. He had been reckless, and rude. It lead to him going after the specter unprepared, and alone. It's why him and his geist were at odds. Why their connection was poisoned. He wasn't sure how to fix that... He wasn't sure if he wanted to. He wasn't sure if he even wanted to...
Pop!
His thump nail raked across his arm, and popped open one of his stitches. Cass barley flinched, but it was enough to snap him back into reality, or rather, what he was now forced to accept as his reality. He glanced into the rear-view mirror. He saw Crux speaking with Joseph and texting. He wasn't dumb. He noticed how she barley noticed him. He couldn't blame her. He was an ass. His wrecked mental state had caused him to act with aggression toward her, and cinnamon. Something had to be done...
"Crux..."
Cass hesitated... He wasn't sure how everyone would react, but something had to be done. Something had to be said...
"Crux, how long have you been a vampire? How long have you been, well, dead?"
The question wasn't really a question. It was rhetorical, and the only way he knew how to break the ice in what he felt like would be a long exchange.
"I've been dead a year and a half... Died right before Christmas. Died alone in the woods. Woke up still bleeding, still in the worst pain I had ever felt. After I climbed out of the woods I wasn't met with the warm welcome I had hoped for. Instead I ended up showing up late at my own funeral. I knew I couldn't talk my way out of that, so, you know what I did? I ran. I came to Chicago and I started over. Alone. For the first time in my life. Alone. I had a big family ya understand. Youngest of three kids, mom, a dad, and my grandma. Never really had to want for comfort, or guidance. I was always kept in line by my sister, and I tell you what she had a full time job with that..."
His tone became much sadder when speaking about his family. And his voice cracked even more as he continued.
"Then I was alone. No clan, no instructions, no explanations, no Karen, no anything. Just me. I had the chief, but truth be told that kinda made things worse. Having an Indian war chief in your head can be pretty, well, unpleasant. Can't talk to him, don't understand the "feelings" he gives me from time to time."
Pop. Another stitch broken.
"You lot have been the first conversation I've had with people outside of smoothie orders for over a year. Just day in, and day out. Dealing with the dead, and trying to come to term with what I am. What the world really is. Then Tyco happens. I figure out that I might die. I make the deal with Gloria to make sure I have something I can use in case I need to protect myself, and the only thing I have even closely resembling friends in this world. I had to condemn a soul for that. That alone has wrecked me, but then we thrown Gutenberg into the mix. He's a friend, and I respect him, but that man... That man has seen some things. Things that I saw when we made our deal. Things that frankly, have kept me up at night. SO much rage, hate, and violence. Since then I can't figure out weather I need to run scared or fight till everything that can possibly hurt me is gone... It's, it's fucked me up."
Pop. Again Cass punctures his arm. He flinches a bit this time.
"I'm not tell you all of this as an excuse, or to justify what I've done. I just wanted to give you... I don't know, context? I figure that it's time I laid out all my cards. Between the deal, and the seeing into emotions, and just all of it. I kinda lost myself. I've been dead for so long I had forgotten how to be alive. To be decent... I guess this is just a long winded way of getting to the fact that I'm sorry. I'm sorry for everything. I've been so out of hand, and wrong. Crux, I would not ever want to hurt you, but in that moment I wanted you to feel as scared and hurt as I did. It was wrong."
He takes a long breath.
"And Cin, I invaded your space, I was mean, and lashed out at you for no reason. I'm so, very sorry. I can promise that I will never, ever do it again."
He laughs slightly.
"I couldn't do it if I wanted to anyway. My geist and I have been poisoned. I can't use my keys, or gates. My synergy has been tainted. I can't use my powers without a lot of bodily harm. I'm not sure how to fix it yet, and honestly I'm not sure if I will get it fixed. I see this as my penance. This is how God has decided to punish me..."
Cass turns for the first time to look at Gloria. By this point tears have formed in his bloodshot eyes. He smiles sadly.
"Or whatever is passing for god up there now."
He laughs a bit trying his best to suppress his soul crushing guilt.
"I just figured, before we start back on this road that you all knew. No more secrets, no more back room deals, no more needless aggression and violence, no more Tyco... I never wanted what has happened to happen. I care about you guys... I'm so, so sorry. I know you have lost a lot of faith in me, and I promise if you choose to forgive me that I will do my best to amend that. I understand if you can't though."
Cass watches as he starts to bleed from his arm again.
"Hell, after this is all done... You may never even see me again."
Pop, pop. Cass presses down hard and breaks two more stitches. He laughs again trying to hide how crushed he felt inside.He pulls down his jacket sleeve not wanting to spill any of his blood in the van. He then starts the car, and waits for a moment. Letting the air of what was just said settle before beginning to drive away.
|
|
|
|
Post by thevoiceofgod on Nov 30, 2015 3:58:49 GMT -5
(This is the pre-Cass portion of the post.)
"We Arise and serve the will of the Judges. If we serve well, our Descent is delayed, and if we chase selfish pursuits, it accelerates.. It is said that if our service is great, yet we balance it with an enriched personal life, we may break the cycle of resurrection and achieve Apotheosis, but..." The mummy shrugs and shakes his head. "That way is fraught with danger, and by necessity borders on blaspheming the laws of Duat. Some say that demonstrating the strength of will it takes to walk the perilous road is the most sacred of pursuits, while others point to those who have fallen to damnation on the road as proof that that way lies only sin and evil. Many do not concern themselves with it at all. Service to the Judges is not without pain, but we are immortal and serve a greater calling. It is an honor." Joseph seems to fall into that last category; he talks about Apotheosis as an intellectual exercise with no practical value. For the moment, at least, he is focused on learning more of the functions of his phone. Also, he is not visibly fazed by Crux's testing of his personal bubble.
(This is the post-Cass portion.)
A minute after Cass finishes speaking, he opens his mouth again - but this time it is Johann's voice that emerges. While Cass is still in complete control of the rest of his faculties, his voice is being temporarily hijacked. It's kind of like being on a walkie-talkie: Johann's got the finger on the button, and you can't use the channel while he's speaking.
"Well isn't this interesting. I hear you're getting aggressive with your fellows. Crux is concerned for everyone's safety, with you as the threat. Then I tune in to hear your 'woe is me' speech. Cute. Now shut up with the martyr routine and listen while I speak." Cinnamon has heard this tone before; that's the voice he used when he ambushed her in the parking lot of the club. "You feel sorry for yourself, expect others to feel sorry for you? Grow a fucking pair, dead man.
"You made choices, and like every other choice every being in this cosmos makes, they have consequences. You died, came back, walked in on your funeral. So fucking what? You didn't have to take the Bargain. If you'd said no, the Chief would have just left you to rot and found another. You didn't have to run away. Dealing with your old life would have been difficult, so you ran - and you know what? Probably the smart move... until you start bitching about being alone, and dealing with the dead, and facing dangers, and making tough choices. Well guess what? It's different down here in the shadows. A different world. Different morality. It is dark, and it is cruel, and you CHOSE TO BE HERE. And instead of sacking the fuck up and dealing with it, you lash out. Now I wouldn't particularly care about that, if your targets weren't also bound to me. But they are, so I shall make this very clear; If you threaten them again I will show you pain the likes of which you cannot even imagine. And if you should be so profoundly stupid as to actually harm one of them? Well I don't know how to put a sin-eater down permanently, but I'm ready to find out... through trial and error.
"What arrogance you show, wallowing in self-pity. When you were alive, you were one of billions. Even now, as a supernatural, you are one of thousands, maybe millions, skulking in the shadowy cracks of the world. Do you actually believe that the Almighty has reached down to touch your life personally? What makes you so fucking special? I was at the left hand of the Almighty at the creation of everything, and I am beneath caring, beneath notice. We all are. We are all nothing unless we make ourselves something, until we rise above the masses to be worthy of notice. And you," The laughter that emerges is cold and cruel. "You have done nothing yet to earn such distinction.
"You've got some curse on you, probably from a necromancer from the sound of it. That's all. You're hardly special. Don't be a fucking idiot; go find someone who can scour it off. You've got shit to do. You chose this, remember? And if you really are serious about embracing this new 'pathetic coward' archetype, please tell me now so I can revoke my gifts. I do not deign to be bound to sniveling little weasels with no ambition. I don't have the time. We are at war, Cassidy James Donavan, with forces that will destroy all creation if we let them. So get over whatever this garbage is and get back to the fighting. You get a pass this time - everybody gets one - but the next time you flip out over this emo bullshit and decide to willingly endanger your fellows, I will end you myself if I have to."
|
|
|
|
Post by crux on Nov 30, 2015 10:17:12 GMT -5
Crux stared slackjawed at the disembodied voice coming from the wrong mouth.
After a few moments of silence, she seemed to only just notice that she'd scooted close enough to Joseph to almost count as being in his lap. She was completely surprised and likewise embarrassed, but also, somehow, incredibly pleased.
"So...um..." she spoke to Cass's mouth like it was a loudspeaker. "Do you like movies? Or.. Ice skating or something?"
She texted a thank you, but didn't verbalize it. The twiggy vampire had all but forgotten what else was going on. She'd found herself just..in cheerful denial of peril quite suddenly.
Karen, however, was placed near Cass, her little bead eyes looking right at him.
|
|
|
|
Post by thevoiceofgod on Nov 30, 2015 10:32:06 GMT -5
Johann's voice responds in a more even tone. "Unfortunately now is not the time for small talk, honey. I've got business to attend to before pleasure. You take care of yourself."
|
|
|
|
Post by cinnamon on Nov 30, 2015 22:56:14 GMT -5
Cinn nodded to Crux's inquiry about her health and gave the thin vampire a grin. She was feeling a lot better. Mostly healed and a lot of her frustrations relieved from her...day with Johann. Now that she had indulged her desires, Cinnamon wanted more and she wasn't sure how she felt about sharing. But she mostly trusted Crux and then Johann had that thing with Bethesda. Cinnamon made a mental note to ask him about that later.
Crawling into the backseat, she perched near the edge, watching Crux give Joseph the basics of phone operation. She made a point of not looking at what Crux was texting. While she was definitely curious, reading people's texts without permission is rude.
Large grey eyes watched Cassidy as he regaled them of his struggles since dying and becoming a sin eater. Cinnamon furrowed her brows as she listened, her mind taking in what he said, but not in a way she knew he intended it to be. He was offering some type of...explanation or excuse for his actions, but he had more than invaded her space. While she was no longer furious with him, Cinnamon would not have been able to truthfully say that she had forgiven him. And the way he spoke now, to Crux more than her, did not feel like much of an apology. Cassidy had violated her and was writing it off as though he had stood too close.
Before she had a chance to speak her mind about his apology, Johann spoke. Her heart pounded with fear and admiration at his words. Cinnamon recognized his tone immediately and was instantly relieved that she wasn't on the receiving end this time. She also couldn't remember a time anyone had stood up for her in such a way. Yes, her group had protected her life more than once at this point, but this felt on a much more personal level.
Once the speaking was over, Crux's voice broke through the heavy silence, startling Cinnamon. She glanced at the vampire quizzically before realizing she was talking to Johann through Cassidy. Her ears burned in a flash of jealousy.
"Johann is right, Cassidy," Cinnamon stated plainly. Her tone wasn't cruel by any means, but it wasn't exactly warm. "You need to get yourself fixed with Chief. As much as I would like the guarantee that you couldn't do that to me again, which I guess I kind of do thanks to Johann, we need you with your abilities. You and Annie are the muscle of our group when things go south. And they tend to go south a lot."
|
|
|
|
Post by crux on Dec 1, 2015 10:43:15 GMT -5
After a little groan and pout to Johann being right about needing to handle business, Crux looked to Gloria and then Joseph.
Then, she looked to Karen, and looked to Cinnamon.
Then, she finally looked to Cassidy.
"Karen thinks... the best thing to do would be to break up into two groups. Gloria, you and Cass should go find someone to fix him, and Cinn and I should go bring Joseph to the Mage lady. Johann, if you're still listening in, does that sound like a good deal?"
|
|
|
|
Post by cassidy on Dec 1, 2015 11:03:56 GMT -5
Cass finally snapped out of his stupor. He sure wasn't happy about having another voice slam around in his head. It did do some good though. He needed to stop the way he was going. He was irritated at how lightly everyone had taken him opening up. Back home feelings were something you kept to yourself. It had taken a lot for him to open up. They were mad though, and had every right to be. He couldn't blame them for not receiving him well. Still, he learned one important thing. Even Gutenberg didn't know how to put him down for good yet. It was something Cassidy was tracking down, just in case. Truth be told he didn't even trust himself anymore.
"Crux and Cin are right. If there's anything I've learned from being a Sin Eater it's the importance of Synergy. Our's is way off. I take responsibility for that. I don't tack my trespasses lightly... I think some time apart might help things a bit. There's something wrong with my head, and I need to fix that before I can be of any use to you guys."
Cass pulls over to the nearest gas station. He gets out of the Van and hands the keys over to Cinnamon.
"I won't need the old girl where I'm going. It'll be of better use to you guys... Now. I'll use my ceremonies to find our Mage friend. I doubt she'll be in that same spot as before. I don't use plasm for it so I can at least give you guys a place to start."
|
|
|
|
Post by thevoiceofgod on Dec 1, 2015 14:09:38 GMT -5
Johann's voice emerges from Cass once more. "You guys ever watch a horror movie? Nine out of ten, splitting up ain't smart. If you're gonna do it, keep it short and keep in touch. Now, I gotta go. My target showed up earlier than expected." Cass can feel the connection Johann was using close.
Now in her 'street punk' Cover, Gloria shrugs, discreetly checks the firearm concealed in her jacket - Colt Double Eagle, chambered for .45 ACP - and hops out of the van. "Johann's got a point. If we're gonna go run your errand," She nudges Cass on the arm, "We better make sure we leave our phones on so we can meet up later."
Joseph, eyes on his phone but nevertheless paying attention, speaks up. "I believe there has been a misunderstanding. I'm willing to meet with this woman, as you asked, but I need your assistance with a matter of business first. My Judge will punish me for pursuing a personal agenda before even beginning my sworn duties."
Gloria frowns, lights a cigarette, takes a drag. "Well that's no good. How much do you need to be in the clear?"
"It won't require a week of service or the like." Joseph shrugs. "It is difficult to describe. I must make unambiguous progress, finding an object or site of value. I believe I found one while familiarizing myself with the city... what was it... 333 North Michigan. Yes, the architecture has elements of sacred geometries."
"Huh." Gloria puffs at her cigarette in that thoughtful way smokers do. "I know that one. The Agency tried to get a controlling interest... got bought out by some drug company or something. Don't know about any 'sacred geometries' though."
"Nevertheless, I am confident it is of interest to my Judge." Joseph gives Gloria a firm nod.
"Could be. Should look up the architect. But while we're here," She looks over her shoulder at the mini-mart for the gas station. "I'm gonna get a Hershey bar. Anyone want anything?"
"Oh, yes! One of those... what was it called," Joseph snaps his fingers, trying to remember. "Gatorade! Yes. Good for strengthening the sahu. Please and thank you."
"You got it, buddy. Hold this? Thanks." Gloria nods at Joseph and hands off her unfinished cigarette to him while she ducks inside.
|
|
|
|
Post by crux on Dec 1, 2015 21:17:49 GMT -5
Crux followed Gloria out to stretch her legs, and awkwardly patted Cass on the shoulder.
"It'll work out," she remarked before addressing Cinnamon first, followed by Joseph and then Gloria.
"I think we've got to come up with a linear plan if Johan is busy. Just in case. So.. Joseph is it okay if we go to get ghost stuff done and then your Judge stuff? And THEN we do the mage thing? Oh, Gloria, may I have the..er.. oh, I'll have a bite of Indian from the back,if you can?"
|
|
|
|
Post by thevoiceofgod on Dec 2, 2015 13:54:23 GMT -5
Gloria cannot help but laugh. Vampires, man. Vampires. "I'll see what I can do."
Brow furrowed, Joseph regards Cass for a minute. For a moment, everyone around him is struck by the transience of their existence. So many thousands of years passed before and time has erased all but the smallest fragments of those years and the lives that occupied them; what if their lives are no different? This sensation fades as quickly as it arrived (It's pretty obvious something weird happened here. Int+Occult to recognize it for what it is). A smile comes across Joseph's face. "Ah, I see. I do not think I've ever encountered someone of your nature. Well, matters of the dead - and those bound to them - are always technically within our purview, so I am free to observe and assist without consequence. Accompanying you should be most enlightening." He offers a small bow with the same crossed-arm salute as before.
|
|
