2020.11.29 Before Black Blood 4

Before Black Blood 4: Ed
A Wraith escapes into the Sewers and meets Ed. As his Pursuers grow ever closer, he looks to Ed for Salvation... and Ed looks to them for dinner.
IC Date	2020/11/29.
Players	Bobo(ST) Ed Floyd
Location	The Sewers
Prp/Tp	Black Blood
Spheres	Wraith, Medium

It is dank and musty in the Sewers beneath E Street and 5th. The moist air reverberates with filth with every breath. The Red of the brick walls has faded greatly with time, leaving greyish walls with a tinge of slime to every touch. Beyond the occasional odd grafitti sign from urban explorers, there's little evidence of anything alive ever having been down here... And then suddenly, the sounds of conflict begin to echo through the tunnel, to those that can hear it at least... A Wraith pops through the manhole cover to the streets, his corpus insubstantiating briefly from the damage, flickering like static on a television. There's terror in his eyes as he claws through the air like he was trying to swim through it. He reaches the ground quickly, stopping to frantically look both ways down the tunnel, trying to get some clue of where he is and how to get out of it. Everything about this creature points to him being fleeing from something... but what?

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Bobo rolls 3 + 3 (6 dice) vs 5 for 3 successes.
2 3 3 +5 +6 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

The Wraith picks a direction and begins to run for it's life... stopping as it sees Ed's form. Such a trick might work on a mortal... but there's no hiding from the lifesight of a Wraith. He grinds to a halt. "O-oh thank god." He sighs in relief, floating behind the obfuscated Nosferatu. A sly, cruel grin crosses his lips. "Dumbasses won't know what hit em'. Suck em' dry, you beautiful son of a bitch. Ya goddamn sewage angel." He remarks, his voice flat with terror. He begins to laugh. Perhaps in the throes of madness that comes with catharsis such as this... perhaps at the thought of his pursuers ending up a Nosferatu's dinner. He does not seem to give any indication that he thinks Ed can see him. The sound of metal grinding echoes through the tunnels of the sewer. Someone is trying to remove the manhole cover that this Wraith came through...

Ed blinks, straightening up as much as she can in the confines of the sewer. "Excuse me?" She asks of the Wraith, even as her eyes tic towards the manhole cover. "Want to tell me why someone is chasing a spook?"

"OH SHIT" The Wraith exclaims, instinctively putting his hands up like he's about to get thrashed. Now that he's up close, his features are more visible. It's the Wraith of a Young Man. Tragically so, for a Wraith. His hair is short and dark, and there's burn marks on his fingertips like he's been grasping raw wires. "Y-you can see me?" He says quietly. "I-I'm sorry. T-they wanna make me drink the Blood. I-I used to be one of you, when I still had skin. I-I thought maybe I-I could get away down here. Please...you've gotta help me." He stammers constantly in terror. And then... the sounds of footsteps descending the ladder echo through the tunnel. The Wraith quiets down immediately, simply curling up into a ball and trying to hide below the river of sludge. "Mother said to stay out of the Sewers... I heard there's.../things/ down here." The voice of a young man echoes. "Oh, shut up." A young woman counters in response. "There's not gonna be anyone down here, and if anyone asks we're just two dumb 'urban explorers'. Now shut the hell up, and help me find this Monitor. If we can bring him in... we might even get an extra drop this month." They reach the bottom of the Ladder. The Young Man has an urn tucked under his arm. It looks like something from the bronze age in terms of style, but the urn itself doesn't look too old. "T-the Blood." The Wraith whispers in terror. The pair immediately snap their eyes down the tunnel in Ed's direction. "Set that down...incase he's got a trick up his sleeve." The Woman commands, and the man sets his Urn up against the wall. "Come ouuuuut~" The Woman calls, her voice echoing through the tunnel. "We just want to talk to you..." She continues, her voice sweet and inviting. The man follows behind her meekly. "Erin... we shouldn't be here." He says. "I feel like someone is watching us..." The two are approaching Ed's position rapidly, but don't seem to know she's there.

Ed frowns, lips pulling back from shark-like teeth in a silent snarl. These people are in her Clan's Territory. Their hunting grounds. Annoyed, the Nosferatu focuses on the woman and looks directly into her eyes. From within, Ed calls on her inner Beast and the to sooth the woman's own 'Beast' into complacency.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Ed rolls Manipulation + Empathy vs 7 for 1 successes.
1 3 3 5 +9 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Bobo rolls 3 (3 dice) vs 6 for 1 successes.
2 5 +10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Ed frowns, lips pulling back from shark-like teeth in a silent snarl. These people are in her Clan's Territory. Their hunting grounds. Annoyed, the Nosferatu steps to the side as the two move by, she makes a grab at the man. One hand reaches for his throat, while the other grabs at the urn.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Ed rolls Strength + Brawl vs 6 for 0 successes.
1 1 5 6 7
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Ed rolls Dexterity + Stealth vs 4 for 4 successes.
1 2 +4 +5 +8 +9 10
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Ed rolls 4 vs 6 for 1 successes.
3 5 5 +6
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Ed rolls Willpower vs 6 for 1 successes.
1 2 2 3 +6 6
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Bobo rolls 1 + 1 (2 dice) vs 6 for 0 successes.
2 4
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Bobo rolls 1 + 1 (2 dice) vs 10 for -1 successes.
-1 3
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

The two don't notice Ed as they slink by. The flashlight drifts along the walls, slowly getting ever closer to the Wraith's hiding spot beneath the filth... When suddenly the gurgles of a choking man fill the air. Instead of squirming, or struggling, he raises his hands, attempting to focus some kind of power on his attacker. ...But whatever it is, it fails. As for the Urn... it's too distant to be grabbed in the same motion. But at least you don't have to worry about snapping it too now that you're playing rough. "LET GO OF HIM!" Erin's voice echoes. She's running at Ed, screaming a war cry with a wooden stake raised, prepared to plunge it into Ed's chest. It arcs through the air as she swings it with all her might... and she slips, falling face first into the filth with a resounding splash as the Stake slides away, grinding against the wood as it leaves her reach.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Ed rolls Strength vs 6 for 0 successes.
2 4
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Ed squeezes the man's throat, causing him to gurgle, twitch, and finally go still. Setting him down, she reaches for the woman laying face down in the muck. "You know what, I think I'm hungry," she rasps out past serrated teeth.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Bobo rolls 1 + 1 (2 dice) vs 10 for 0 successes.
2 2
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

The man resumes breathing shortly after being set down, but he's still out cold. The image of Ed's hand has been nearly burnt into his skin through that grip. Any tighter and his neck would've shattered like glass... As for Erin, she's down but now out. She quickly rolls over, pulling another Stake from beneath her shirt. She thrusts it towards Ed's chest once more, but still it does not ring true. It sails wide in her wild thrust, missing Ed's body entirely. She's already rearing her arm back for another swing... well, she's certainly got more fight in her than HE did.

Ed hisses and hunches down low, giving the woman less of a target. Her eyes search out the Erin's, reaching out with her own beast and giving voice to a deep throated snarl.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Ed rolls Manipulation + Intimidation vs 7 for 2 successes. 3 4 5 +7 +8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Bobo rolls 1 + 1 (2 dice) vs 10 for 0 successes. 2 8 <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

The Womans face falters in terror as she looks up at the looming Ed. She shivers and trembles, her stake nearly slipping out of her hands. But her will isn't broken yet. She grips her stake tightly, her breathing accelerating with adrenaline as she makes one last, mad effort at putting Ed back in the ground for good. This time, it actually sort of comes close! It doesn't sail completely off under Ed's arms, it lightly brushes one instead. She's getting better. But will she be alive long enough to get good?

Ed loses one Willpower

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======--->
Ed rolls Manipulation + Intimidation vs 7 for 3 successes.
5 6 +8 +9 +9
<-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Ed continues glaring at the woman, while doing to best to avoid being staked.

The Woman goes limp, staring into Ed's hypnotic, fear-inducing eyes as she babbles fearfully. Her grip around the stake loosens, and it makes a small splash in the filth. The sewer is deathly quiet... only the sounds of one unconscious Ghoul breathing, and another babbling madly as it her will simply snaps beneath her. There's a lot of 'Sorrys' buried in her babbling, but it's hard to comprehend what on earth she's trying to say. "WHOOOOO!!!!" The Wraith cheers enthusiastically, applauding wildly while he wails like a fan at a sports game.

Ed snorts loudly and looks over at the Wraith, clearly annoyed. "Alright, what the fuck is going on here?"

The Wraith shrugs nonchalantly. "I can tell ya what I know but I don't think it's much. And...uh...for what it's worth, thanks. I at least owe telling ya I never was a Vampire... I was just trying to get some Sympathy." He takes on a sheepish look. "Sorry... all I know is they're tryin' to Feed people that...that crap over there. They called it 'The Blood', and told me all my problems would be gone... wouldn't have to worry about all our Fetters and Passions anymore..." The Wraith pauses, taking a moment to look at Ed. "...If you're familiar with the terms." He says flatly. "They were trying to force-feed me some of that shit... noramally that's not an Issue. Ghost and all that... but I hear this shit's serious. We've been disappearing all over the place to weirdoes like this..." The Wraith pauses. "I mean... you're the Vampire. You should take a look. Maybe it's not even real blood?" While the conversation continues, the woman lies face up in the filth. Her babblings begin to become a little more comprehensible, if only through sheer repetition. Something about 'I'm sorry, mother'

Ed sighs and looks down at the woman, shaking her head. "Not really," she admits. "Well, I'm not gonna fucking take a sniff at it down here. All I'd be able to smell is the shit. And I know you were never a vampire. I don't think our souls get to go to the regular places when we end up dead-dead. Walking over to the man, who just happens to have the cleanest neck, Ed lifts him up and bites down into his neck. Eyes closing in brief rapture at the sensation of the warm blood flowing down her throat.

"Uh...well. You just saved my Plasmic ass so I guess I owe you one. And you sure as hell don't look like a Giovanni... A Fetter is what...well, what keeps us tied down here. Instead of going to...heaven or some shit. A person. A wedding ring. A Photograph. That kind of shit... but, uh... you can't tell /anyone/ I told you that. They'll turn me into a goddamn CHAIR for telling you that. I'm not kidding." The Wraith grins with murderous intent as Ed picks up her dinner... but then cringes away as Ed begins to have at it. He wanted him to die... but perhaps watching it happen is a little much for him. As for the man himself... he's asleep. The Kiss of a Vampire is hypnotic enough when you're wide awake, let alone when you're out cold. And Erin? Still babbling like a madwoman.

Ed isn't all that hungry and the man is still breathing when she pull away, licking the wound closed. "Tastes mortal enough," she muses, running her bulbous black tongue over serrated teeth. "Well, thankyou for the information. And you're right, I'm not one of the corpse-fuckers." Gingerly, she retrieves a zippy-sealed phone and punches in a number.

"Yeah?" The Wraith asks curiously, watching Ed punch in a number. "...Guess I'm not really sure what I thought they were. They seemed like Necromancers... so I kinda just assumed they were Corpse-fuckers..." The Giovanni are so universally reviled that slang against them crosses the boundaries of the grave itself, apparently. "...Who ya callin'? Ghostbusters?"

Ed looks over at the Wraith and smirks. "Floyd. One of yours, only he is piloting a corpse. Made the mistake of biting him awhile back. Fucking gross," she claims, elongated and gnarled fingers tapping away on the screen, as she sends a few text messages back and forth. "And his Shadow is an asshole," she adds, absently.

"Piloting a corpse, huh? Must be a Puppetteer. Not usually the kind of person I'd call on for help... but I guess ya know who ya know. Didn't know Skinriders tasted bad though... definitely not my area of expertise. Too...messed up." He says non-commitally, his tone growing more casual as the fear of death looming over his head grows fainter and fainter. "Yeah, they all are. It's the ones who know how to act friendly that are the scariest..." The Wraith says with a shudder. "The ones you can't even tell are in charge. It's tough...having a monster in the back of your head all day. But we make it, somehow."

Ed snorts loudly at the Wraith she is conversing with, occasionally poking at the unconscious man to make certain he isn't about to wake up anytime soon. "Yea, well, I pull the same trick. Only mine doesn't talk. It just keeps looking at mortals and going, 'ooh dinner!'. Well, that and getting pissy because two shit heads decided to hunt in my territory. Fucktards."

Floyd pulls up at the intersection and what do you know. There is no one here! So he shoots a text. 'WHR R U?' as he gets out of the car, after pulling off to parallel park.

"No kidding? Huh. Guess we ain't so different after all at the end of the day. I /wish/ mine couldn't talk." He says, taking a moment to eye Ed curiously as they await whoever she's texting. "Huh... anyone ever told you you kinda look like Nosferatu? You know, from that old movie? Or that episode of Spongebob?"

'Coming,' Ed texts back, then pockets the zippy encased phone. Heading over to the manhole, she pushes up the metal plate and looks around, before sticking out an arm and waving it at Floyd. "Well, where do you think the name comes from?" She says to the Wraith behind her.

Floyd arches a brow at the hand but shrugs. Shortly after Ed is gesturing topside, Floyd slides the manhole cover with WAYYYY too much ease, coming down into the depths of the sewers and pulling the manhole closed. For now. No sense alerting the locals. "Never fear. The Cavalry has arrived." He looks to the wraith then to Ed. "More vampiric ghost-fuckery huh?" He then ignores the Nosferatu for the moment and says, to the wraith in residence. "Hey. You okay?" Gotta take care of your own first. Sorry Ed.

Ed doesn't seem to care much, turning her back on Floyd and making her way over to the Urn. She picks it up with her long fingers and proffers it in Floyd's direction. Writing reality out to disk. Please wait...

The Wraith gives a friendly wave to the Newcomer. Floyd will immediately be able to tell that this is a Monitor. ...Or perhaps a Mnemosynist. Either way he's got burnt fingers. "You're her Puppeteer friend, right? Bloodsucker here just saved my sorry plasmic ass from those Necromancers. I'm fine. ...Didn't expect to see any Puppeteers...er...helping out." He shudders, like he's not fine at all. As Ed approaches the Urn, a scent wafts over the top of it. Enticing, and sweet, to the point that it drowns out the scent of the Sewers. Like an entire field of flowers at once... She'll be able to tell at once that it's not just any blood: It's Vitae. Hard to tell much more than that without a taste, but it sure does smell like it'd be the tastiest thing ever to a Kindred... like that first sweet drink of your Sire's Vitae as you're embraced. Perhaps even sweeter. Floyd might catch a tinge of it... but senses like Smell are far gone for one of his ilk.

Floyd grabs the urn. "Someone's gotta keep an eye out for us on this side of the Shroud. OBVIOUSLY. I mean look around you." Like.../duh/. He looks it over with a frown. "Neat." And with assurances from the ghost and Ed passing off the parcel, Floyd climbs back up the sewer, peeks to make sure the coast is clear, and then gets out of the sewer and closes the manhole cover behind him. To quote the famous game of Floyd's living years. JOB'S DONE.

Ed is giving the urn a rather appreciative sniff and actually looks a little annoyed when it is snatched away, despite the fact that she was offering it over. There is still the unconscious man with the marks from Ed's hand around his throat, and the woman jabbering apologies in the sewage. "You gonna take these two shits with you," she grumbles at Floyd. "Or make meal deal with them?"

"Well...shit. Guess you're right. Jus'...not used to having so many damn meatbags noticing me." He pauses, looking to Ed. "No offense." He simply waves as Ed begins to make his departure. "Well... I gotta get back to work. Afterlife don't run itself, Oboli to be made, all that jazz. Thanks for the help, Nosferatu." The way he says that sounds like he's using it as a nickname, with absolutely no clue to the significance of that term. "I'd pay it forward if I could... but not a lot I can really do here. I can't even give you a high five. So I'm just gonna go..." He says, still eyeing the 'Puppeteer' curiously.

"Well...shit. Guess you're right. Jus'...not used to having so many damn meatbags noticing me." He pauses, looking to Ed. "No offense." He simply waves as Floyd begins to make his departure. "Well... I gotta get back to work. Afterlife don't run itself, Oboli to be made, all that jazz. Thanks for the help, Nosferatu." The way he says that sounds like he's using it as a nickname, with absolutely no clue to the significance of that term. "I'd pay it forward if I could... but not a lot I can really do here. I can't even give you a high five. So I'm just gonna go..." He says, still eyeing the 'Puppeteer' curiously.

Floyd stops. He looks over at Ed. He looks at her and then looks to the bodies. "Fine." He comes back down the ladder and gives them merciful ends. The unconscious man is stepped on so his skull crunches against the sewer's surface as he approaches the woman as he snaps her neck with a gentle *twist* so that she slumps over dead. "There. They're garbage now." He then goes up the manhole ladder once more.

Ed just stares at Floyd, jaw dropping open. "WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?"

The Monitor goes eyes wide as the events unfold. "...Jesus, don't you think they might've had something useful to say? Shit, at least them being dinner would've felt a little more...productive." Good old guildie sense of morality, never fails. "...Ugh." The Wraith says in disgust as it looks at the corpses.

• THUNK* The manhole cover is closed.

Ed stares down at the dead bodies, then up at the manhole cover. "Well, fuck you. Next time I keep the Vitae for myself! Jesus," the Nosferatu adds on, before doing what needs to be done. She checks the bodies for any personal items, pockets those, then starts to drag the bodies through the sewers. She knows of at least one pet gator that'd be happy enough for some variety in its diet.

Ed will find little of immediate note when she searches the bodies. Student ID's, Cell Phones with messages from friends and families but nothing incriminating, the usual stuff to remind her that these Ghouls were people. Apparently the mans name was 'Robert', for what it's worth now. The only thing of note is a Key-Ring with a single key on it, labeled 'Sruggs Storage.' A Cursory search online will point Ed towards the northeast, a couple hours into the desert. It's not much... but it's the only lead she's got. If only there were some perfectly good unconscious people to interrogate and feed on for a couple weeks... oh, if only. As for the Wraith, he was too shocked by the whole incident. He simply begins to float away down the other direction of the tunnel, hoping the sewert rats will keep any other ghouls off his tail.