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| The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter | |
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Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Mon Aug 27, 2012 5:27 pm | |
| Estela visibly flinches when touched, and for a moment seems like she'll pull away. She relaxes then, staying where she is, lifting her head to look at Claudia. Her expression remains blank as the Tremere attempts to explain the whole process of feeding along with some advice. There's a light shudder though, showing her negative feelings on the matter. She looks away again before she replies. “I've...never bitten anyone.” Another shudder. “Well..that is...Fernand made me bite him. Sometimes. When he had no packs to force down my throat.” Her voice is tight as she speaks, finding the memories from then unpleasant to relive. “I fought it best I could. Tried to resist it.” She smiles grimly. “It wasn't....always successful. Like something beyond my control was all to eager to accept. I hated it.” | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Mon Aug 27, 2012 6:14 pm | |
| Claudia blinks slightly, surprised that she indeed never stuck her fangs into anyone. She looks away, ashamed. (Claudia) You.. You'll have to bite, fast, else the situation will get worse. I.. I promise it can be a very pleasant gesture, which even gives pleasure.. Greater than they could imagine.
She smiles a little and nods, rubbing gently the arm of her friend. (Claudia) A friend told me that the mere act of feeding is a good payment for the blood we take. And some even become addicted to the Kiss. Just.. You just need to count the gulps, Estela, and everything will be fine. It is easy.
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| | | Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:11 pm | |
| Estela blinks in surprise at Claudia's words, than narrows her eyes slowly in disagreement. She pulls away from the Tremere, glaring at her stubbornly as she speaks. “Why? Why would I have to resort to biting people for survival? I've gotten by so far, no problem!” She straightens herself on the sofa, her pose and expression becoming decidedly more determined. “I don't care if people could enjoy it.” From the way she spits the word out, it's clear Estela has definite doubts about the supposed pleasure a bite can give. “I don't... No, I'm not going to! There are other ways to get by without resorting to...to....that!” | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Mon Aug 27, 2012 7:35 pm | |
| The Tremere shakes her head slightly, slowly, hearing the words her friend say. The shock alternative seem to work a little better, it seems, so she unwillingly uses strong images to open her friend's eyes. It seems it hurts her to have to resort to such arguments. (Claudia) Would you butcher animals for their blood? Would you steal the scarce blood donations the hospitals have enough trouble getting to save their patients? Would you drink from corpses before their funeral, forbidding them to go to haven because they were desecrated? Would you enslave your former friends so that they'd serve you willingly their blood, while your own blood rapes them every month for eternity?
She explains, softer, lower. (Claudia) It's nothing more than an orgasm-inducing hickey to them. It's the most humane, kind way. But for you, it's survival.
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| | | Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Tue Aug 28, 2012 11:08 am | |
| Estela flinches at Claudia's words, pulling away from the Tremere with a dark scowl on her face. She glares at the older vampire as she speaks, her expression dropping more. After Claudia's done speaking, Estela pushes herself up from the sofa with a sound of frustration halfway between a hiss and snarl. She begins pacing the room, her movements showing her agitation. There's a glimmer of fangs.
“Argh! Dammit Claudia. No! No, I'm not going to kill animals, desecrate corpses or enslave my friends!” She grinds her teeth together. “Stealing bags...” For a moment she seems hesitant, then shakes her head. “No. I won't.” Estela stops pacing and looks at the Tremere. Her expression is stubborn and determined. “There's gotta be a way, somewhere, and I'll freaking find it!” | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Tue Aug 28, 2012 4:35 pm | |
| The Tremere puts back her hands on her lap and looks at them as she touches her own fingers, to keep them busy. She denies with the head slowly, keeping calm.(Claudia) The only other option is dying. You have to bite, Estela. She gives up, but looks back at Estela with more determination, but also severity and seriousness. She's clearly wearing a mask, to hide her worries and her fears.(Claudia) Do as you wish, I will not force blood down your throat. I told you everything you needed to know, you're still denying. If it takes a frenzy and a few deaths for you to understand, then so be it. I will not be there to help you cover your tracks, and you will have to deal with the consequences yourself. She stands, closing her fists. Her voice is slightly broken. (Claudia) Have I made myself clear ? - Perception+Empathy>4:
She wants to help, but she's closing herself by fear. She's not rational about it. Maybe something else is going on.
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| | | Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Tue Aug 28, 2012 6:59 pm | |
| There's a flicker of fear when Claudia claims that her only other option is death. It doesn't seem like she'd thought of that possibility. The look lasts for only a moment, her determined, headstrong expression returning. “No, I don't. I'll find a way. And if I don't....” Estela shudders visibly at the grim picture the Tremere paints for her with her words. She wraps her arms around herself, looking away from her friend. It's clear that her words hurt the younger vampire a great deal, but at the same time she tries to cover this up by acting tough, continuing on her earlier displayed determination. “Fuck, you can tell me 'I told you so' then, as often as you'd like and beat me over the head with it until you're satisfied.” Estela turns back to the Tremere. “But I'm not planning to let that happen. Ever.” From the sound of it, it doesn't seem like she intends on budging.
She watches as Claudia rises from the sofa, then lowers her gaze. Her fingers dig in her shirt as she clenches her fists. She closes her eyes, letting her breath escape slowly. “Completely.” Her voice is soft, almost a whisper in her answer. Opening her eyes again, Estela returns her gaze to the Tremere. It seems like she wants to say something for a moment, but doesn't, instead shaking her head lightly, expression saddened but still steeled in her resolve. She walks towards the door leading back to the arcade, pausing there, a hand resting on it. “I'm sorry I bothered you.” She waits there only long enough to hear Claudia's response, if any is given, then unlocks the door and leaves the room, closing the door behind her.
Estela lets a shaky breath escape her, taking a moment to compose herself before she quickly makes her way through the groups of people towards the exit. She pauses again outside, turning to look at the building. After a few seconds, she shakes her head and begins walking down the street, head hanging low and hands stuffed in her pockets.
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| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:27 pm | |
| Claudia closes her eyes as she hears again Estela. She unfolds her fingers from her fists slowly, but doesn't move. She just speaks a few broken words, before sitting down again, head low. (Claudia) You didn't bother me. I will not judge you, I just gave you a bit of guidance, it will always be there.
Loic, with a towel on his shoulders after a game, follows Estela a moment, before catching up. (Loic) Hey.. Hey ! | |
| | | Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:39 pm | |
| Hearing the familiar voice, Estela turns slightly to look at Loic approaching. She clearly hesitates for a few moments before she pauses and waits for him to catch up. She forces a smile for the sake of appearing at least a little pleasant. “Hey, Loic right? Sorry, but...I'm not in the greatest mood right now. Is there something you want?” | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:47 am | |
| Loic clearly did intensive sport as he's sweating and is breathing a bit heavily. He cleans his face with the towel and catches his breath before talking. Competition of DDR or not, he now considers the situation he witnessed and takes it much more seriously than earlier. (Loic) Yeah don't worry, I don't mind it. What happened ? I mean what the hell. She wouldn't let me touch her ever since she got here in a pity state, with blood all over her, she jumps everytime she hears anything.. And now you?
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| | | Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Wed Aug 29, 2012 3:28 pm | |
| Estela runs a hand through her hair, sighing a little and looking away from the man. That Claudia arrived at the arcade covered in blood appears to surprise her. “Well....I don't really know what happened to get her so spooked. She didn't really tell me either.” Though she tries to answer best she can, she's very hesitant and careful with her words. “She...Claudia seemed alright. She just needs a bit of time and a place where she feels safe I guess, to calm down and collect herself. Just... give her some time.” The young vampire gives a half shrug. “As for me...it's a separate issue really. And...I'm not comfortable talking about it.” She turns to look at Loic again. “If that was all...?” | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Wed Aug 29, 2012 4:22 pm | |
| The young man places himself in front of Estela to block her from leaving, as if he caught that she was particularly not eager to tell him what she knew.(Loic) Don't bullshit me, she has all the symptoms of a rape victim. And you know something. I don't care if she killed the guy in self-defense (she had no wounds so it wasn't her blood), and I will not call the police on her ('cause if I do I go to jail), but I gotta know, get it ? And you're acting like you could do something about it. - Perception+conscience>5:
He knows something else, like if he understood that it wasn't normal people that were involved.
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| | | Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Wed Aug 29, 2012 5:23 pm | |
| Estela scowls at Loic when he blocks her way. She's obviously not happy with it. “Contrary to what you think, I DON'T know what happened to Claudia. Like I said, she didn't tell me, and until you told me just now, I didn't even know she arrived here the way she did!” She pauses, blinking a little in realization, as though a few things clicked in her head. Frowning a little, she looks down, resting her chin on her hand. After a moment of consideration, the young vampire shakes her head, “I can't be sure but maybe... Look, I could try and find out, but you gotta tell me what you know.” | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Wed Aug 29, 2012 6:17 pm | |
| The young student observes with more detail, curious about the words. He finally sighs and gives up. Because he's not sure how far and how accurate he is, he's just gauging the reactions as he speaks. (Loic) I don't want to meddle in her affairs, since I owe her much. I know she shouldn't be alive. I know she should have spent the morning with me, but she didn't make it yesterday. She said she wasn't allowed out by her family. | |
| | | Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:23 pm | |
| Estela frowns at Loic's words, surprised and a little confused by them. Some of what he says appears to disturb her for some reason, but she tries to keep her expressions as neutral as possible. “I heard a bit about Claudia's family...they...well, they don't really get along from what I've heard. Not that there's any abuse I'm guessing. Just...” She shrugs. “She doesn't like them much from my understanding.” - Perception+Subterfuge>4:
Estela knows something. More than she's letting on at least. She makes eye contact with the young man, appearing a little saddened. “Hey, if you don't want to meddle, it's probably best not to look into this to much. If Claudia wanted us to know, she would've told us, don't you agree? You...We should respect her privacy on this and just be there for her until she's back to her old self.” - ST:
dementate 1 (passion) to make Loic lose interest in pursuing any form of investigation in Claudia. Estela looks at the street behind the student, then back to him. “I'd like to leave now, alright? I have a lot on my mind at the moment.” | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Thu Aug 30, 2012 12:08 pm | |
| Loic half frowns, suspicious, but he says nothing. He then vaguely nods as she continues speaking and tries to talk him out of everything. He's a bit more relaxed, even a bit slower. (Loic) I guess you're right, who cares.. If she doesn't talk, it's her problem, we're not here to look after others right. Well, good evening then, sorry to have disturbed you.
He moves back to the Arcade without another look or a word, putting the hands in his pockets. | |
| | | Nachtrae Antediluvian
Posts : 903 Join date : 2011-06-09 Age : 34 Location : the Netherlands
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:27 pm | |
| Estela seems a little disturbed by the reaction she gets from Loic despite it being because of her actions. It lasts only a moment though, for she steels herself and gives a nod to him when he turns to leave. “No worries.” She watches him for a few moments, then shakes her head and turns her back to him, beginning to walk down the street. At a crossroad she hesitates and pauses, taking time to consider her next course of action. The young Kindred grins wryly after a moment and sighs. “I just can't leave this shit alone. Sometimes, I can be such a hypocrite.” With an expression between a scowl and mild amusement at herself, Estela begins to make her way north. | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Wed Sep 19, 2012 2:22 pm | |
| By the time Rufus and William get to the place, in only a couple of minutes since it's quite close-by, Claudia's spot on the GPS has moved further inside the building. The roof isn't like the Regent's, it's full of shingles well put together to avoid the rain from going in the attics. Landing there isn't totally out of the question, but there is no access to the building (at least not directly). Usually, access to this kind of roof is done either through loose tiles from the inside, or through outside with some ladders. Flying with a Gargoyle isn't like flying in something that can fly naturally. Rufus uses his wings and his body to direct himself, but he shouldn't be able to fly with the weight and the form of his wings. It's easy to guess that for the gargoyles, flying isn't something that comes from nature, but very well from the fact that they are Kindred. It must be a discipline, maybe a ritual, or maybe the Path of the Mouvement of Mind implemented in their bodies through creation or embrace.
- Rufus:
Rufus knows the place, he's been here already. He hasn't made aware Claudia that he knows, because the place is usually full of mortals, and he wouldn't let her know that she's watched (maybe she noticed and accepted it though, she never made aware that she knew he knew). USually she uses the last floor's rooms, which contain a small maid's room, right in a renovated attic. Sometimes she sleeps there, but she mostly uses it to talk with students and they don't seem to know it's actually a room. It's about 20m2, with the tallest part being about 1m80. Rufus has to crouch to be inside. The place is a small living room with a sofa/bed, a low table, and some clothing in drawers she installed against a wall. There is a certain amount of books under the wooden flooring, as well as a few objects she lets there for safe keeping (maybe old papers or personal belongings). There is a bathroom with a tap to give access to tap water, but no shower nor bath. Rufus can smell her odor once he gets close enough to the roof, because the maid's room is right under the tiles, and despite isolation, Rufus has very sharp senses. He can easily smell her blood, maybe from the dress she wore the night before. Rufus can access the room through melding in the building, but he could also access by moving the tiles above the room. He's too big and tall to fit between the wooden beams, but William could acces through there. That, or putting him on the floor and tell him to go upstairs like the mortals. There's a door, and Claudia doesn't fly.
Last edited by Claudia on Thu Sep 27, 2012 6:39 am; edited 1 time in total | |
| | | Voraxith Antediluvian
Posts : 807 Join date : 2012-03-20 Age : 43 Location : Raleigh-ish, North Carolina
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Sat Sep 22, 2012 5:38 pm | |
| Rufus slowly circles the area, clutching William to his chest with one arm.
"How would you like to do this? You can enter as any of the kine, but my options are rather limited..." | |
| | | Bloodywolf Caine's Progeny
Posts : 1333 Join date : 2012-08-11 Age : 34 Location : Belgium
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Sat Sep 22, 2012 7:35 pm | |
| - OOC:
Basing myself on google street view William took some new glasses from his pocket and surveyed his surroundings. He considered his options for but an instance. "There is no room to land on the sides without anyone noticing us fly down from the skies, we'll 'quietly' drop on the roof and I'll try to see if I can access the building somehow. Unless you have a better suggestion. If we're lucky, Claudia isn't on the bottom floor and you can just phase through." William snorted, "Oh and Roofy, you owe me a new pair of glasses and a ritual to keep water and dirt from affecting it." | |
| | | Voraxith Antediluvian
Posts : 807 Join date : 2012-03-20 Age : 43 Location : Raleigh-ish, North Carolina
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Sun Sep 23, 2012 12:51 am | |
| The Gargoyle begins a slow descent down to the tiled surface of the roof of the building. His clawed feet shuffle against the loose times, but between his great strength and extra-appendaged balance, he has no trouble keeping a firm footing on the uneven surface. He finds a smooth spot to set William down upon, then begins moving toward an area of the roof he seems to know. If closely examining Rufus, William will notice that the Gargoyle almost seems to be following a scent more than anything else. He stops, then turns toward the neonate, speaking in a hushed down.
"Here. I will part the tiles for you, then I shall enter. You will only descend between the beams after I have spoken with Claudia. No need to unnecessarily startle her."
Rufus - pointedly ignoring the demand for replacement spectacles (as well as being called 'Roofy') - bends down and begins moving the tiles aside, after a minute revealing a hole just barely large enough for William to fit. Once that task has been accomplished, the Gargoyle focuses his power and slowly melds into the stone of the building, emerging below in Claudia's room.
"Hello?" | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:20 am | |
| Under the tiles, both the Gargoyle and the Tremere may notice the isolation materials put to allow a certain security. It's mostly tissues isolation instead of wooden or plywood plates. This access must be used often enough as while the tiles are heavy, they weren't totally fixed to the roof. From the inside, maybe with a tool, it should be easier to move them.
- Perception+Investigation>4:
It's clear the tiles were made to be moved from the inside, as there are marks on the inside of them, showing the person using them moves them with an crow bar, using it as a lever. Yet, they are heavy enough not to move with a storm or a heavy rain. The isolation materials are just a second protection, but a person may pass through them and put them back as they were as if they were just curtains (quite thick and solid ones).
Claudia lets out a slight "eep" of surprise as she notices Rufus take form in the maid room. She lets a small smile show, and speaks with a certain unexpected happiness to see the gargoyle.(Claudia) Rufus ! She stands from the mattress she was sitting on, letting a book to the side, but something keeps her from greeting him with a closer contact as she sometimes does when they're alone. She's wearing a men's large t-shirt with printed patterns and a pair of jeans that are clearly not hers, but that fit her. She looks away, losing the smile and fighting a moment against her instincts. It's clear she's thirsty, as her fangs show when she speaks and her voice betrays a hushed beast, which may be why she's not getting too close. She also guesses he has a good reason to be here, a clan related reason.(Claudia) I thought the Regent would leave me alone a few nights... She sighs, then gives another look to Rufus, one that shows compassion.(Claudia) What is it ? | |
| | | Bloodywolf Caine's Progeny
Posts : 1333 Join date : 2012-08-11 Age : 34 Location : Belgium
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Sun Sep 23, 2012 8:42 am | |
| William lands on the roof with a soft thud. He balances on the tip of his toes and holds himself stead with his right hand while regarding his cane and it's presence which had caused him to be unable to catch his previous glasses. The roof wasn't exactly made to stand around on. He corrected his hat and glasses, and slowly followed the gargoyle, carefully testing every footstep, for he didn't have the grace the gargoyle was showing on this kind of underground.
Rufus explained the plan, and William rolled his eyes. "Ah yes, cause a gaint gargoyle appearing in a lady's room is a lot less startling then a man wi-... Never mind, go ahead."
His eyes stared after the diminishing shape of the construct as he slowly made his way towards the hole in the roof. He sat on the edge and looked inside, and at the loose tiles. "This is not the first time this was used as a exit or entry." He stated to no one in particular. He poked with his cane on the cotton like isolation, the way it has been placed, it could easily be moved. He prodded a small opening and used Auspex 1 to hear for conversations below. | |
| | | Voraxith Antediluvian
Posts : 807 Join date : 2012-03-20 Age : 43 Location : Raleigh-ish, North Carolina
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Wed Sep 26, 2012 8:13 pm | |
| Rufus gives a very slight smile upon seeing Claudia, as though her mere presence gives him relief from some inner pain no one else understands, or is even aware of. But just for an instant, after it appears it is just as quickly gone. The Gargoyle's red eyes take in her dress and appearance, her demeanor and obvious hunger. Without speaking, he drags a claw across his forearm, opening a small incision, then offers it to her.
"Drink, Claudia. I see your pain, your thirst. I am satiated for now - take from me what you need."
He stares at her for a long moment before speaking again.
"Please." | |
| | | Claudia Caine
Posts : 4897 Join date : 2010-01-30 Age : 36 Location : France
| Subject: Re: The arcade : Causeway bay gamecenter Thu Sep 27, 2012 3:30 am | |
| Claudia hisses when she sees the claws move, her beast perceiving it as a potential and deadly danger. It is, of course, but her conscience would never associate Rufus with a threat to herself. When she understands the gesture and he tells her to drink, she stares at the wound with envy. She mutters, willing to resist.(Claudia) You know I can't.. Her voice fades as she approaches slowly, still observing, under the spell of the thirst and the idea it could be eased. The Beast wins the inner battle as she takes the arm with both hands and sinks her fangs into the wound, taking as much as she can, being even not as docile and kind as se presents herself to be. - Rufus:
Claudia drinks until Rufus decides not to let his blood flow anymore (she's not strong enough to force the blood out, not even in frenzy), or until she has taken 15 blood points. Starting the 10th one, Rufus' beast may feel in danger. Either way he can stop her at any time, and control her frenzy.
Once stopped or once she has had enough, she moves back and looks away in shame. She tries to change the subject.(Claudia) You came for another reason... | |
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