Author Topic: Cross Effects- The RP  (Read 183014 times)

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1515 on: February 13, 2014, 05:06:39 AM »
The loud crackling crash that emerged when Lancer swung Gae Bolg into the bone warrior was barely satisfying.  The damned things were fragile as glass and shattered pretty much with the first blow.  It was a battle of fodder, simply wrecking things. 

In the sides of his eyes he saw bright flashes and looked to see Millie airborn with the stick, throwing fire like a proper witch.  It made him smirk as he continued in his quest to break things.  However, there was something nagging in the back of his mind.

Someone was after his Landlady.

Not that it was surprising, there were quite a few people who was probably very pissed at her.  Then something lit up the sky in a straight giant beam.  "Dana's titties," he groused to himself before kicking a skeleton dude apart.

******

Gabriel smirked as the camera woman was slowly coming out of her trance at the sight of him.  Turn on the lure a bit more, he reasoned, doing just so as he looked into the camera.  Smiling at the camera woman, he asked, "How much longer do I have before this goes to another feed then?  I have a message to deliver."

******

"Damn it," Angel said, blocking the blow from one of the skeleton warriors as Gabriel continued to talk to the camera woman.  He shouted, "A little help here!"

He ducked from the swing from another skeleton warrior only to hear a loud shattering.  Scowling, the vampire found the very sharp point of a red lance leveled at his face.  "Oy, what the fook do you think you're doing?"

The voice was Irish accent, but there was something off about it.  As was the glowing crimson eyes meeting Angel's own.  Angel scowled, pointed at Gabriel, and said, "That annoyingly gorgeous man brought me here!"

Then the sky seemed to light up.  Automatically, Angel covered himself, but it wasn't sunlight.  The blue haired spear man scowled at the light and said, "Ogma's balls!"

*******

Wynn smiled at the redhead and said, "The sugar is absolute.  It is part of the ritual.  To go without it means that the effect of the ritual would be lost."

She smirked at the nay-sayers and said, "Absinthe is an acquired taste.  Part of its joy is the ritual to create it."

******

Deacon moved out of the way of the brat's magical attacks.  Scowling, he struck at her with his claws until she retreat. Then he felt the entire area changing, so he threw himself back right before everything lit up like Hiroshima.

******

Dark Archer snorted as the boy retreated.  He rubbed his forehead and said, "I feel slightly chided."  Then he smirked at that only to see Rin get leery around the giant cat-man.  It seemed as if Tom was having a bit of trouble keeping his anger on a good leash.  His tail was whipping about and his fists were clinched.  Automatically, Archer stepped in front of Rin, putting himself between her and any danger.

Their captive began to speak, threatening Apostle-chan.

The blond sighed and shook her head.  She said, "Newsflash, I'm already dead.  Moron."

"And... if you guard me… don't... let it... be him... Killing a fool... like that... is just pathetic..."

Archer smirked at this and said, "I doubt we're going to let him do anything overly complicated or even relatively simple for that matter."

******

Forest looked over at Tom, feeling the sheer bloodlust in him.  Her new lover wanted to murder their captive and was dangerously close to doing just that.  Before she could go to him and try to calm him down, Rin said, "Don't. Just let him go, he's not worth it."

Tom's reply was telepathic, I hardly see what business this is of yours, or how you feel you have the right give orders to me.  However he put his hands down.

Then she heard a loud explosion outside and sensed a large outpouring of magic that died suddenly.  It made her temples throb and she gasped, rubbing her forehead at the pain.  She shook it off to see that both Archers were wielding identical swords.

Rin frowned, tensing up. "Another attack? Already?!"

Archer frowned, already ready to project Kanshou and Byakuya. "Looks like."

"It's outside though," Forest said with a frown, wondering who the hell she pissed off this time.

Not quite. It seems that it is already almost over. The explosions from earlier were from someone who is apparently aligned with us. Tom frowned. Odd, they seem fairly few in number. His eyes widened a bit. ...And it seems that there was at least one camera recording the complex. I do not know if our fairy adversary has anything to do with this, but I am at least certain of this...

His expression turned grim. Someone has declared war on us.

Forest sighed and said, "Well, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened."

She did close the distance between her and Tom, one hand going to his back.  To her surprise her hand was met with velvet soft and warm fur.  Before she knew it, she was running her hand down his back in an attempt to calm him.

So what, someone's declaring war on us?  Big bloody deal. We'll just make them regret the mistake, she sent to him. 

Arch-Magos Winter

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1516 on: February 13, 2014, 05:38:13 AM »
Tywin had taken a break in the subway system, news reports of some sort of monster attack popping up in the downtown area of the city. It seemed to be drawing to an end though, as some sort of explosion - or groups of them had occurred. Not to mention heavy resistance from the locals. Leaning back against a bench, he sighed, rubbing his artificial hand, feeling the runes carved within it. "Nexus City." Truly a city in need of a sense of justice - the police force was understaffed, undertrained, and underfunded, criminal elements ran rampant, and monster attacks seemed to happen daily.

Truly, the sort of place several of his more courageous cousins would consider Valhalla come to midgard. Tywin could sympathize with them - he himself had wanted to get involved in that scrum in the city, but at this point, it was probably better to leave it be. It had already sorted itself out. Besides, this place was in serious need of justice. And as a US Marshal, he had without a doubt, this city in his jurisdiction. As such, he could act with full and proper authority. Where some of his cousins found themselves drawn to the virtue of Expression, Tyr himself would admit more of a fascination and call for Order - one Tywin had answered. Leave the telling of sagas to those with the talent for it. He was fine with justice instead of songs.

The screams of the attempted passengers at the subway stop, and the cowered looks on one of the neighboring loiterers waiting for the train drew Tywin's attention. A gods damned, dragon - wingless, but still more than capable of being a threat - was walking down the stairs, without a care in the world, or so it seemed. God touched as well, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up to confirm his suspicions. A friend, or one sent to hinder him by a rival pantheon was a possibility, but cooperating in this strange city would allow Tywin to be able to cover more ground... and having a dragon as an ally would be more than handy if there was a need to get violent. Rather than cower behind, or scream in fear, Tywin stepped forth, nodding to the beast. "So who do you serve, dreki?" he asked, not even flinching at the beasts appearance.

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1517 on: February 13, 2014, 05:43:41 AM »
Satoshi watched the bone warrior leave the area to scuttle back to it's master and sighed as he turned back to the inside of the house. He took three steps and felt it, the change, he had been using magic a little bit more than he did usually but it shouldn't have been so soon. Not even fifty times the magic should have changed but then he remembered it.

'well crap, I wasn't a victim I was the pillar. I forgot about mental stress, nothing to do but hide it, come on old man! If I get the kid there's no way they won't see through any lie I come up with' he thought.

with that done Satoshi snapped out a pocket book and scanned it casting three spells, the first psychic protection so neither Forest nor Mew two could read his thoughts or apply psychic tricks to force him to reveal the truth, second for a immaterial hour glass to observe the time he would have stuck as whichever form and finally an illusion of a deep robe to hid his change.

Satoshi walked back inside already feeling his body shifting, the illusion of the robe would keep others from noticing little things about his stance or walk and covered his face well with a massive hood. The robe appeared to be blue with gold accents which Satoshi hoped would further distract onlookers.

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1518 on: February 13, 2014, 05:45:29 AM »
The vampire woman shuddered at Gabriel's words. For some reason his mere presence was causing... things to happen. Things that weren't supposed to be happening. Thoughts once repressed through unspeakable acts rose out of their coma. The disruption was controllable, but if the effect was strengthened... It was more than mere attraction, she knew, as her entire body shivered and her free hand clenched into a fist that could bend steel. Such a force could only be supernatural.

She brought her shaking hand up with some effort, offering the open phone to the man before her.

"Speak now," she said, unable to look him in the eye. "And you will be heard as well as seen."

The sudden explosion of magical energy served as a convenient distraction to keep annoying thoughts of begging for an embrace out of the girl's mind. She looked away, smiling as blue energy lit up the night sky. "Best hurry," she added with a smile. "Things are moving rather quickly tonight."

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1519 on: February 13, 2014, 02:10:58 PM »
Lycodrake didn’t like the humans’ screams of fear; it wasn’t just that he didn’t like frightening anyone, but he was also in a strange city where humans reacted like this to his presence. That wasn’t the norm as he knew it at all. Though, he wasn't sure if it was related to the explosion he had heard and felt, or if it was truly all because of his presence.


The screams of the attempted passengers at the subway stop, and the cowered looks on one of the neighboring loiterers waiting for the train drew Tywin's attention. A gods damned, dragon - wingless, but still more than capable of being a threat - was walking down the stairs, without a care in the world, or so it seemed. God touched as well, the hairs on the back of his neck standing up to confirm his suspicions. A friend, or one sent to hinder him by a rival pantheon was a possibility, but cooperating in this strange city would allow Tywin to be able to cover more ground... and having a dragon as an ally would be more than handy if there was a need to get violent. Rather than cower behind, or scream in fear, Tywin stepped forth, nodding to the beast. "So who do you serve, dreki?" he asked, not even flinching at the beasts appearance.


He tilted his head at the young adult human who addressed and halted before him. Brown eyes that told of great purpose - matching that in the man’s question - and a runed, replacement hand caught his attention. “[Athena] Nike is my matron goddess and I have served her as messenger. My own question to you, sir: what is this city and why are humans fleeing from me? Where I come from, humans live beside creatures both like and unlike me.”
« Last Edit: February 13, 2014, 02:11:46 PM by Lycodrake »
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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1520 on: February 13, 2014, 04:25:20 PM »
It happened suddenly, Satoshi's spine jerked as a massive pain shot through him.

'argh, god damn it! I forgot how painful this gets, without a cane I'm screwed. Ok Alex, just, just get up to the room. Aunty and Tsukasa will cover for me, and if those Archers and Rin are decent people they won't start shit with the kids there. I hope Tsukasa distracts Kiyoshi though, otherwise we'll have a problem.' he thought struggling towards the stairs.

catching the railing as his legs started to give Satoshi sighed, then, with some serious effort he began to ascend the stairs. Behind the illusion he was already the white haired old man, wrinkled and shivering, even the banister barely kept him steady.

"And so you shall, for all your courage, live all your days before you face me." he said aloud, then he chuckled and added "I showed you" his voice had graveled somewhat in the change but he paid it no mind and continued up the stairs.

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1521 on: February 13, 2014, 07:01:59 PM »
He tilted his head at the young adult human who addressed and halted before him. Brown eyes that told of great purpose - matching that in the man’s question - and a runed, replacement hand caught his attention. “[Athena] Nike is my matron goddess and I have served her as messenger. My own question to you, sir: what is this city and why are humans fleeing from me? Where I come from, humans live beside creatures both like and unlike me.”
Ah, a Servant of the Dodekatheon. Tywin had interacted with them before. Despite their tendency towards extreme hubris and rather childish attempts to deny their fates, they could be counted on to help him bring justice... despite the fact they tended to flaunt the very laws he enforced.

"They call it the Nexus City. They aren't used to creatures like you, especially in a subway station. Come on, we can talk more on the train, dreki. Names, for one thing. Besides, I have a job to do here, and someone like you would be more than helpful in that task."

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1522 on: February 13, 2014, 07:31:41 PM »
"They call it the Nexus City. They aren't used to creatures like you, especially in a subway station. Come on, we can talk more on the train, dreki. Names, for one thing. Besides, I have a job to do here, and someone like you would be more than helpful in that task."
"That would explain the reactions I've garnered since arriving in this place. I'm out of my element and actually having a destination, even if someone else's, would be very helpful," Lycodrake agreed. "As for names, I will give my own right now: Lycodrake Aptera. I hope our meeting was and is a blessing for us and our friends and allies, sir."

He decided to follow the human onto the train and awaited the other's response. He wasn't about to make an enemy out of a stranger if he could help it.
« Last Edit: February 13, 2014, 07:34:09 PM by Lycodrake »
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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1523 on: February 13, 2014, 11:08:43 PM »


Mordred accepted his formal introduction with a nod. "My real name is Mordred but in order to conceal my identity, it would be unwise to use it. Saber will do. I will acknowledge you as my Master so long as you wish to fight in the Grail War."

She was a bit surprised to learn that he wasn't aware of his responsibility as one of the Masters. But since they didn't appear to go anywhere for now, she decided to use the opportunity to explain in details the whole thing.

---

Nessa allowed the broken Kindred to lean on her. They were both in a bad shape but somehow managed to pass through the garage and further in. She helped him few steps ahead and forced him to a seat. He didn't look better now that he was under light. Biting her lip, she asked.

"What do you need? Blood?"

At the mere mention of the word, her own hunger awakened.

---

The phone rang with the strength of an earthquake, or so he thought under the effect of his hungover. From under the sheets, a hand reached for the device. Kyle sighed as he checked who might call him in the middle of the night.

"Yeah," he answered with the tone of a kid denied his Christmas' presents.

"Kyle? It's me, Esther."

The werewolf raised to a seat and passed a hand on his face. He hated the forensic expert with a passion. She was unable to read the mood nor give a fuck about when or where he was when she requested his attention. Still, she was good at her job and it was more valuable than

"I could tell as much, what's going on?"

"I found something which you might be interested in. ~"

"Cut to the point, please."

The woman couldn't hide the excitement in her voice as she spoke.

"What would you say if I told you vampires feeding on vampires??"

Kyle checked his wristwatch with a disappointed look. Only half an hour of sleep.

"That you pretty much ruined my night," he answered with a yawn.



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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1524 on: February 14, 2014, 02:49:14 AM »
Kiyoshi smiled back and continued eating his bento, savouring every bite until, suddenly, he had a thought.

"Hey, Tsukasa-nee, I've not showed you my pet Kuro yet. Mummy made him for me!" he said, excitedly.

"Kuro, say hello to Tsukasa-nee. She's mummy's daughter", he said to the familiar in his pocket.

Kiyoshi expected Kuro to act somewhat more excited that he had before, Tsukasa was his mother's child after all, and Kuro was able to detect his creator's magical signature. However, even so he had not expected quite such a strong reaction.

As soon as the little familiar left Kiyoshi's pocket, he started dancing excitedly, waving his arms around, before running towards Tsukasa and climbing up onto her lap. He continued to dance around for a bit, clearly wanting to play with her.

"Oh, he really likes you!" Kiyoshi said with a smile. "He's not usually this enthusiastic, even with family."
« Last Edit: February 14, 2014, 02:49:48 AM by Cherry Lover »

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1525 on: February 14, 2014, 04:08:50 AM »
"That would explain the reactions I've garnered since arriving in this place. I'm out of my element and actually having a destination, even if someone else's, would be very helpful," Lycodrake agreed. "As for names, I will give my own right now: Lycodrake Aptera. I hope our meeting was and is a blessing for us and our friends and allies, sir."

He decided to follow the human onto the train and awaited the other's response. He wasn't about to make an enemy out of a stranger if he could help it.
Tywin found it somewhat surreal getting on a subway with a dragon, but honestly, he'd probably end up in even weirder situations eventually. "My name is Tywin. Pleased to meet you Lycodrake." The other passengers in the car sidled away from the man talking to a dragon, and the actual dragon as well. Thankfully, this time, there was no screaming - but the car was deserted as soon as the train started leaving the station. That was fine by Tywin though.

"It certainly isn't for my enemies... that much I can tell you. I'm planning on raiding a Krokodil manufactury. Synthetic Heroin. Highly illegal, highly toxic, highly potent. Cheaper than the real deal too. I was planning to simply disable the fire suppression and let nature take its course with the factory, but now with you... I can accelerate that process. Set the entire thing on fire, kill the supply to the entire city. Are you willing to help out with this?"

***

JACK

Nessa allowed the broken Kindred to lean on her. They were both in a bad shape but somehow managed to pass through the garage and further in. She helped him few steps ahead and forced him to a seat. He didn't look better now that he was under light. Biting her lip, she asked.

"What do you need? Blood?"

At the mere mention of the word, her own hunger awakened.
"Yeah. And loads of it. " I said, leaning backwards into the chair. It was hard to sit upright. Or just for that matter, do anything. I probably should be screaming in pain right now, but... I can't actually feel anything pain wise below about half way down my chest. Resilience? Maybe the severed spinal cord? Fuck if I knew, but ether way, thank christ.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2014, 04:15:23 AM by Arch-Magos Winter »

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1526 on: February 14, 2014, 05:32:09 AM »
Small fires burned in various locations all around the complex. Bone fragments and ash were scattered all about. Other than the remaining scattered troops that the others defending the complex were fighting, all the skeleton warriors were slain.

But in spite of her victory, a certain magical rod was lecturing a certain magical girl regardless.

"You know, just because you used fire in so many different ways doesn't change the fact that you used fire, don't you? So I still say you're not very creative~"

"Isn't the fact that I used one tool in a number of different ways creative in of itself?"

"You have nearly infinite possibilities and yet you still chose to just use fire~ How's that creative?"

"Says the stick that insists on being as magical girl-ish about it as possible," Mille muttered.

"It comes with the territory~ But you could still be more creative about it~"

Mille rolled her eyes, and did a fly around to see if she'd missed any soldiers. There was a glint in the dark shadows of the buildings. Mille stopped and frowned. She turned around and went to investigate. It was probably nothing, but...

But indeed, it was something. It was a camera. Mille floated a little closer, still frowning.

So that's why they sent so few... They wanted to see how we'd respond.

A strange compulsion came over Mille. Forgetting her reputation as a magus for the moment, or her present garb, she proceeded to flip the bird at the camera before  blowing it up with a ball of fire.

As she flew away, Ruby began shaking back and forth.

"Was that really necessary?"

"I think so."

"That wasn't very lady-like you know~ Or very Magical Girl-ish~"

"Like I care at the moment."

"Ooooh, temper, temper~ Be careful, or you'll end up being just like that hag~"

Ruby seemed to protest a bit as Mille squeezed her just a touch too tightly. Mille spotted Lancer talking to another man, and noticed that the two were surrounded. She made to fly towards them when she felt some sort of... presence, in her mind.

H-hey! Get out, would you?!

She tried fighting with the presence for a bit, but after awhile the strange sensation faded.

Mille's brow knitted as she rubbed her temples with her free hand. "What was that?"

"I don't know~ You tell me~"

Mille glared at Ruby before beginning her descent towards the remaining warriors and the two men. She could worry about the strange presence in her head later. For now, she had to help Lancer.

But even that was interrupted. For suddenly there was a bright flash of light that seemed to consume everything.

"What the hell?!"

"That's no talk for a Magical Girl~"

"You really think now's the time for that?!"

She hurtled herself towards the two men and put up a barrier, not knowing what sort of dangers the light brought with it.
« Last Edit: February 14, 2014, 05:47:04 AM by Alice »

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1527 on: February 14, 2014, 12:21:00 PM »
"That would explain the reactions I've garnered since arriving in this place. I'm out of my element and actually having a destination, even if someone else's, would be very helpful," Lycodrake agreed. "As for names, I will give my own right now: Lycodrake Aptera. I hope our meeting was and is a blessing for us and our friends and allies, sir."

He decided to follow the human onto the train and awaited the other's response. He wasn't about to make an enemy out of a stranger if he could help it.
Tywin found it somewhat surreal getting on a subway with a dragon, but honestly, he'd probably end up in even weirder situations eventually. "My name is Tywin. Pleased to meet you Lycodrake." The other passengers in the car sidled away from the man talking to a dragon, and the actual dragon as well. Thankfully, this time, there was no screaming - but the car was deserted as soon as the train started leaving the station. That was fine by Tywin though.

"It certainly isn't for my enemies... that much I can tell you. I'm planning on raiding a Krokodil manufactury. Synthetic Heroin. Highly illegal, highly toxic, highly potent. Cheaper than the real deal too. I was planning to simply disable the fire suppression and let nature take its course with the factory, but now with you... I can accelerate that process. Set the entire thing on fire, kill the supply to the entire city. Are you willing to help out with this?"
Lycodrake relaxed when he sensed the other humans' fear draining away as they went back to their business. Turning his attention to Tywin, he recognized several of the words the man used, but not "Krokodil". He decided to not worry about it; he'd learn about it soon enough if he followed Tywin. "I have been raised to understand the neccessity of killing to protect innocents, Tywin, though I have not done so very often. I'll do what I can to help in that regard, though..." He couldn't help giving an embarrassed half-smile, "I don't breathe fire like most of my kindred."
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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1528 on: February 14, 2014, 04:02:02 PM »
Tsukasa was somewhat surprised by Kuro at first and the scooped him up gently with a smile. Laying her hands flat so the little shadow could stand Tsukasa brought him to eye level. "you're just like the guardians, well except you're black, it's nice to meet you Kuro, thank you for protecting my little brother" she said happily.

Turning to Kiyoshi she chuckled "yes, well because of how my magic works I'm like the big sister for all the shadow constructs mama makes."

Satoshi had reached the door and almost reached for the knob when he remembered it was locked, tapping on the door he waited.

Rin recognized the knock and stepped forward to open the door. The imposingly large robe threw her for a moment until Satoshi sighed audibly and Rin stepped out of the way letting him walk inside and closing the door behind him.

Satoshi took a seat "took a hit, nothing big though, you hear Tiger? So no worrying, you either Kiyo, I'm the big brother so I worry about you two, got that?" despite the gravelly voice there was a happy tone to his words and truthfully it may have been solely because he was no longer in the open.

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Re: Cross Effects- The RP
« Reply #1529 on: February 14, 2014, 06:51:52 PM »
Marius

Ah; the barbarian could not understand the civilized tongue he used, and his words... the words of this 'Maximillian', were foreign in ways with which he was not familiar. Strange, that he had woken up so close to the surface. His memory was beginning to return.

Titus remembered the work crew he had been overseeing during his time off from policing the atheist Christians. Their work on expanding the dark tunnels of Necropolis had apparently gone wrong enough. An inept hand cutting at the wrong surface of stone, or perhaps an inexpertly arranged piece of scaffolding. The next thing he remembered was the roughly man-height tunnel collapsing on top of him, his bones shattering and his armor piercing through dead muscle... and then the dreams.

His head tilted to the side, and his neck was audibly creaking from the strain of motion after a millenium of stasis. Then he nodded at this 'Maximillian' and his question. That much, at least, he understood.

He attempted Greek, and then Gaelic since it was one of the only barbarian tongues from the North that he was good enough at. If he responded in the affirmative to either then this would go much easier.

Of course, he did not actually speak. His lungs were full of dirt and stone. Close examination revealed that his mouth did not move with his words.

Max

Max did his best not to show his confusion on his face, but he had a distinct impression it was obvious no matter how much he tried to hide it just because of how genuinely awkward the situation felt. He couldn't understand either of the distinct languages the nosferatu had experimented to communicate with him, although he could vaguely recognize one of them as being some form of Greek.

Never did he think he would regret not indulging the academic passions of his twisted former Major. Of course he had to have found a recently awakened Elder from the old vampire-dominated Rome of all things. It couldn't have been a vampire from World War I. Or the American Civil War. Hell, he would've taken a guy from the Renaissance over this.

He sighed in resignation and then shook his head in apology towards the nosferatu. He seemed peaceful enough, but this was not going to be simple. How could Max formally welcome him as an possible ally and help him with his circumstances if they couldn't even communicate due to the elder's outdated language skills?

And speaking of outdated...

Max gestured up and down to indicate the nosferatu's decayed, armored clothing, and then made an inviting movement with his hand in a thumbs up over his shoulder, pointing down the street.

It was probably a good start to get him a new outfit.

Marius

Truly, this one was not of the Propinqui.

Or the languages had simply changed that dramatically in the time between now and when he last walked the night. Titus did note familiar terms and phrases, a certain... degenerate inheritance in some of the tongues in which this Maximilian attempted to speak, but it was so far removed from what he knew of any attempt at civilized conversation.

However, body language was blessedly universal. He understood this much at least: the youth wanted him to follow, and it had something to do with his armor. Either he was going to be introduced shortly to the nearest Centurion for reassignment and adjustment, or he was being led into a trap by a barbarian insurgent.

After a moment he nodded his understanding, and motioned with his hands for Maximilian to lead on.

It didn't really matter in the end. If it was a trap, he would crush the would-be ambush. This strange modern time had so much stone and metal everywhere, so it would be a simple thing to just... smash their skulls into something hard. Or smack them about a bit with one of these large self-propelled chariots that cut into his ears with their noise.

That would be quite fun, actually.

------------------------------

Wynn smiled at the redhead and said, "The sugar is absolute.  It is part of the ritual.  To go without it means that the effect of the ritual would be lost."

She smirked at the nay-sayers and said, "Absinthe is an acquired taste.  Part of its joy is the ritual to create it."

Rose

"Ah, is that so?" She asked, blinking in what she assumed resembled innocence and confusion. "Forgive me, night bird! I am but a novice, and this is my first effort."

This was the absolute truth. It didn't change the grace and accuracy with which she moved through the ritual with the water, the sugar and the special spoon that was involved in mixing them all together.