Shepards Vampires 5

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@@Chapter Five: People's Helmet
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August 8
[20:58]	<[GM]Mary>	Last time, on Shepard's
[20:58]	<[GM]Mary>	a bunch of shit happened.
[20:59]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"It's all pretty hazy, really..."
[21:00]	* [Pyg]Judith	is sitting at the back of the cart, idly kicking her legs as the cart travels the bumpy dirt road.
[21:01]	* [Owen]Phrine	[That last phrase from me wasn't canon, by the way]
[21:02]	<[GM]Mary>	Our anti-heroes were last seen riding toward town (I was getting to that, mister Pyg! >:|) on their horse-drawn carriage, taking a longer way through the forest rather than the direct path.
[21:04]	* [Owen]Phrine	has been drifting in and out of a coherent state for a while now. She seems to finally be coming back to reality.
[21:06]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...mmrrrghhnn...boo-ook~..."
[21:07]	* Shepard	looks back into the carriage.
[21:07]	* [Owen]Phrine	rolls over and moves to all fours, rubbing her face sleepily.
[21:07]	<Shepard>	Are you alright, Judith? You've said not a word since we have departed. Is something on your mind?
[21:10]	* [Owen]Phrine	crawls to a sitting position against the side of the cart, relatively close to Judith. She massages her head. That book...she can still feel that book's lump.
[21:11]	* [Pyg]Judith	gives Phrine a brief glance, a little disappointed in herself before returning her gaze to the outside view of trees lazily passing by.
[21:12]	<[Pyg]Judith>	Just a little tired, that's all, Boss.
[21:13]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Nnngh... I never...ever wanna get into a fight again...Not if this's gonna happen..."
[21:13]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"I thought humans were supposed to be fu-un~...?"
[21:13]	<Shepard>	I see. Well, we'll be heading into town soon, so you can revitalize yourself when we arrive. Listen closely, however.
[21:14]	* [Owen]Phrine	pouts.
[21:14]	* [Pyg]Judith	listens to Shepard as she rubs Phrine's shoulder. She'd pat her on the head, but, you know...
[21:15]	<Shepard>	I want you all to be very careful about revealing your identities. If you drink, do so with utmost subtlety, and make certain no one notices you. Word of what has happened has most likely reached most of the country, and the people are likely very paranoid.
[21:16]	<[Pyg]Judith>	Right...
[21:16]	* [Owen]Phrine	's mouth twitches a little when she hears about "subtlety"...she's not too good with that...
[21:17]	* [Owen]Phrine	reaches a hand out and rubs the tiny horns on her head. It'll be hard to be "subtle" with those...or her wings for that matter...
[21:18]	<Shepard>	This is a crucial moment for us. If we fail here, it will take a long time for us to obtain a foothold in human society.
[21:19]	* [Pyg]Judith	catches on to Phrine's trouble with subtlety, eying her horns.
[21:20]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"You have any cloaks on something in here, Boss?"
[21:21]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...A hat is fine, too..."
[21:21]	* Shepard	looks back once more, and, following Judith's gaze, nods and rummages into his own cloak.
[21:21]	<Shepard>	Indeed. I know, why don't you wear this one... Leticia used to wear it all the time...
[21:23]	* Shepard	pulls out a black beret-like hat, with an unusual brim that flips up on the side. He tosses it back to Phrine.
[21:24]	* [Owen]Phrine	fiddles with the pouch containing her lucky egg. No, no...Sheppy never liked it when you played with the egg near him. She reluctantly restrains herself.
[21:27]	* [Owen]Phrine	fumbles with the funny hat. Ooo~, hat! She flops it onto her head and snuggles into it.
[21:27]	<Shepard>	Ch-heh...
[21:28]	<Shepard>	Would you like something for your back as well, little miss Phrine?
[21:28]	* [Owen]Phrine	puts a finger to her chin and looks up pensively.
[21:28]	<[Pyg]Judith>	Hey, that looks pretty cute on you!
[21:28]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...ummmmmmmmmmm....?"
[21:29]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Ooo, you think~?"
[21:29]	* Shepard	shakes his head, and returns his attention to the road.
[21:30]	* [Owen]Phrine	tips the hat a little the side and poses with a gentle closed-eye smile, trying to look cute.
[21:30]	<Shepard>	Judith, keep an eye on her. She's your responsibility until you teach her to be capable on her own.
[21:31]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"He-ey! I can be capable too! When, umm...when I waaant tooo~..."
[21:32]	* [Owen]Phrine	flashes a faux angry pout before fussing with her hat again.
[21:32]	* [Pyg]Judith	feels something snap in her mind. She lunges forward capturing Phrine in a tight embrace and rubbing Phrine's cheeks with her own.
[21:32]	<[Pyg]Judith>	Oooh! Of course you can~!!
[21:33]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Nnnmmm~!"
[21:34]	* [Owen]Phrine	rubs back, and blushes. Aww, Mom, not in front of Sheppy...
[21:35]	* Shepard	pretends not to notice, but lets a grin sneak by on one cheek. He slows his horses, giving Phrine and Judith time to play before reaching town. Only about a quarter-mile away, now...
[21:37]	* [Pyg]Judith	begins rocking back and forth with Phrine still in her arms, still enraptured by Phrine's cuteness.
[21:41]	* [Owen]Phrine	lets her "mother's" arms rock the worries out of her; almost like her lucky egg might do. Isn't this silly, two grown women acting like this? Oh well, who really cares?
[21:43]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Ammm...hey, Mo-om? Do you ever wonder about the before time? You know, like...before we had to drink blood and all that...?"
[21:47]	* [Pyg]Judith	slows down her rocking as she ponders the question. Then she takes a glance at her master, looking a little worried. Maybe I should be a little careful with my words...
[21:48]	<[Pyg]Judith>	That's...Wow, a really long time ago.
[21:52]	<[Pyg]Judith>	I'm surprised that I can still remember a few things.
[21:52]	<[Pyg]Judith>	I didn't think human memory could last this long.
[21:53]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Well...good thing we're not humans, then, right?"
[21:53]	<[Pyg]Judith>	Right.
[21:56]	* [Owen]Phrine	still has trouble getting used to that fact. Not human...sometimes it still doesn't feel quite real...
[22:03]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"I do wonder things from time to time, like if I would have become anyone worthwhile."
[22:04]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...Yeah...I know I wouldn't have...no one ever did from that place..."
[22:04]	* Shepard	overhears, and darts Judith and angered look. He doesn't speak, however, and turns back to send his horses.
[22:05]	* [Owen]Phrine	won't let the sadness get to her; she's got someone to chase the bad thoughts away for her~
[22:06]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"I guess it's luck, isn't it? That you all came to get me...I must be a real lucky girl..."
[22:07]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Hmhmhm, yeah, real lucky."
[22:07]	* [Pyg]Judith	gives Phrine a squeeze.
[22:09]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"You know, this way, I won't have to watch the people I care about grow old and die. We get to be a family forever!"
[22:10]	* [Owen]Phrine	tousles Judith's hair affectionately.
[22:10]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"And that's just the best luck in the world~"
[22:15]	* [Owen]Phrine	sighs with contentment.
[22:16]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"You know...well, yeah, o'course you know. I never had a family before all this...not a one. It was just me, me the orphan, in that old house, for so long..."
[22:16]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"So booooring...nothing to do...no one to care abooout..."
[22:17]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"But then all you...well, you know. You came. Came and rescued-ed me."
[22:17]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Mmhmm, I remember..."
[22:19]	* [Owen]Phrine	is still young, and hasn't yet forgotten those first days with Shepard and Judith. First as a "snack", then a "toy", then a vampire...
[22:21]	* [Pyg]Judith	recalls that abandoned old house and the young woman in rags whose eyes reflected that glint of a childish dreamer.
[22:23]	* [Pyg]Judith	feels her heart grow a little heavy, and tightens her embrace on Phrine for a moment.
[22:24]	* [Owen]Phrine	feels like a plush toy for comforting her dear friend and kin. Except she's all thin and bony...not squishy at all...
[22:26]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"mmm...hey, Mom? Why do they all call it a curse? The curse of the vampire..."
[22:26]	* [Owen]Phrine	looks up at Judith with innocent eyes.
[22:26]	* Shepard	almost answers by reflex, but decides he'd rather hear Judith's answer.
[22:27]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Because, well...if it gives you a family and a new life and you never have to say goodbye...isn't that like...a blessing...?"
[22:27]	* [Pyg]Judith	meets Phrine's eyes, carefully thinking about how she should word this, especially with her master within earshot.
[22:28]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Hmm...Let me put it this way. Do you remember being afraid of the dark when you were a little girl?"
[22:30]	* [Owen]Phrine	tries to remember way back and sticks her tongue out the side of her mouth in thought.
[22:31]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...I...think, so? The dark was kinda...fun, 'cause you never know what adventure is there~...But, sometimes...I guess sometimes it...wasn't so fun..."
[22:31]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Most people wouldn't think the dark is so fun. You know why?"
[22:32]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Because...there's, umm...monsters~?"
[22:34]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Yes, the monsters, but people couldn't see in the dark. They wouldn't know if there was or wasn't a monster hiding in the dark."
[22:35]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"That's why they try to stay away from it entirely."
[22:36]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"That's why they fear our so-called 'curse.' They don't know what they can get from it and they'd rather not take a chance."
[22:39]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Are you following so far?"
[22:40]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Ehhhm...."
[22:41]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Yeah, I'm just messing around. I'm not a kid, you know~?"
[22:41]	* [Owen]Phrine	cracks a smile.
[22:41]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"I just get swirled around in my head sometimes..."
[22:42]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...Are we there yet?"
[22:43]	* Shepard	sighs.
[22:44]	<Shepard>	Listen to your "mother" and give her your kiss when she's finished. By the time you're done with that, we'll be there.
[22:49]	* [Owen]Phrine	nods, and ruminates on Judith's words. It's so nice to have someone to talk to that doesn't think you're mad...
[22:50]	* [Owen]Phrine	listens for a while, but it seems like Judith is done. Should she kiss her now, then? Umm...but where?
[22:53]	* [Owen]Phrine	shrugs, and leans over to give Judith a kiss...on the lips. That's okay...right?
[22:54]	<[Pyg]Judith>	Oh.
[22:54]	* [huh]Letty	watches, eyes narrowed. That child...
[22:55]	* [Pyg]Judith	is caught a little off guard by a kiss there, but smiles at Phrine after receiving it.
[22:56]	* [Owen]Phrine	smiles too. Yay, Mom's happy!
[22:57]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...sooooooooooooo...Arewetherenow~?"
[22:58]	<Shepard>	Hmm. Indeed.
[22:58]	<[GM]Mary>	Twenty seconds later, the carriage arrives in the town of Diethelm. Two guardsmen stop the group, asking a variety of questions, where you're from, where you're going, why you're here, etc. Shepard smoothes over everything in perfect German, joking about seeing werewolves about. The guardsmen take him very seriously, warning him not to be away from town at night.
[23:00]	* [Owen]Phrine	shifts around her ragged shirt a bit, stuffing her wings out of sight. "Subtle", right?
[23:01]	* [Pyg]Judith	gets the cloak on straight, leaving the hood down. No need for it when there's no sun, after all.
[23:08]	<[GM]Guardsmen>	You ought be very careful, sir! Strange things go through the night around here. Some say wolves and bandits, others speak of demons and monsters... I-I don't really believe any of that, but it'd do you well to stay in town tonight.
[23:09]	* [Owen]Phrine	thinks to herself... (Just because you don't believe it don't mean it's not true~...)
[23:10]	<[GM]Guardsmen>	May we see what's inside your carriage? I apologize for the inconvenience, but it's required of us to examine travelers.
[23:11]	<Shepard>	Certainly. 'Tis only my nieces, I carry no goods other than what we need to travel.
[23:14]	* [GM]Guardsmen	walks behind the carriage and shines a dim lantern inside of it, meeting the eyes of each of the passengers. The orange glow across his face shows you he's a young, freckled man who's perhaps only recently acquired his position.
[23:14]	* [Pyg]Judith	gives the young man a girlish wave with her hand.
[23:15]	<[GM]Guardsmen>	"ah... good evening, missus. Would you mind parting your names?"
[23:16]	* [Owen]Phrine	stares into space, like usual.
[23:21]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Oh my, it's evening, good sir. How bold of you to approach us when we've only just arrived in town."
[23:23]	* [GM]Guardsmen	flusters, breaking eye contact to favor the cart's bottom.
[23:26]	<[GM]Guardsmen>	"ah, pardon me, miss! It's just, uh, orders, yeah, to take names of visitors..."
[23:27]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Well, if you must know, I am Abigail, and these, my sisters, Hilda and Gertrude.
[23:29]	<[GM]Guardsmen>	"ah, uh, I see... well, yes, carry on!"
[23:30]	* [GM]Guardsmen	returns to the entrance, but not before sneaking another glance at Judith.
[23:34]	* [Owen]Phrine	grows bored. If this takes any longer, she's liable to put the egg back on for fun, Sheppy or no Sheppy...
[23:34]	* [Pyg]Judith	makes sure the guard is finally out of sight before she lets out shudder.
[23:35]	* Shepard	shakes the reigns and heads into town. Not far in, he brings the carriage to a halt under a stable, disembarking and speaking to its owner before returning to the group.
[23:35]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Damn, I hate talking like that..."
[23:35]	* [Mys]Sidney	[Meanwhile somewhere far back down the trail, Sidney carries her suitcase of possessions in her hands as she trots to catch up...]
[23:36]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...Was I Hilda, or Gertrude?"
[23:36]	<Shepard>	Hilda, of course.
[23:36]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Aww...I wanted to be Gertrude..."
[23:37]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Hahaha, maybe next time we get stopped by some guards."
[23:37]	* [Owen]Phrine	rolls her eyes.
[23:37]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Ooookkaaayy~"
[23:39]	<Shepard>	All right, now. Phrine, Judith, listen up. I'm charging you to check out the town, taking careful note of anything unusual. You should also take this time to replenish yourselves, as I am unsure when we'll next have stable living conditions. Leticia and I will do the same, and we'll contact you once we've found a suitable home to spend the day in. Also, if you happen upon Sidney, warn her of...
[23:39]	<Shepard>	...the things I have you. Are there any questions?
[23:41]	<[GM]Mary>	At a glance of the town's streets, there's a rather large number of people about at this time of night.
[23:41]	* [Owen]Phrine	raises her hand.
[23:42]	* Shepard	looks unimpressed.
[23:42]	<Shepard>	Yes, Phrine...?
[23:42]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...Am I still Hilda?"
[23:42]	* [Pyg]Judith	can't help but chuckle at this a bit.
[23:46]	<Shepard>	Hmhm. If you wish. Take care, now. The people here are restless, perhaps a bit wary of strangers.
[23:47]	<Shepard>	It was fortunate that our inspector was so easily distracted by our lovely Judith, but I expect no less of her, do you?
[23:49]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Nope, 'cause Mom's bea-you-tifulll~..."
[23:49]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Haha, well, thank you, both of you. Really, that wasn't such a big deal."
[23:53]	<Shepard>	Hmm. Right. Phrine, could you give Jude and I a moment alone?
[23:54]	* [Owen]Phrine	does not respond, but wanders off away, thinking to herself. How best to find a drink. Will the same way work now that did forty years ago...?
[23:55]	* Shepard	sees Phrine off, and beckons Judith behind the carriage in the cover of darkness.
[23:55]	* [Pyg]Judith	lets a bat out of her hair to keep an eye on Phrine, worried that girl might wander too far.
[23:55]	* [Pyg]Judith	follows the master to the back of the carriage.
[23:56]	<Shepard>	Hmm... you adore Phrine, don't you?
[23:56]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Need something, Boss?"
[23:57]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Of course, she's part of the family after all."
[23:58]	<Shepard>	Let me ask you something. Do you not find the life you lead now "worthwhile"?
[23:59]	* [Pyg]Judith	looks at him for a moment. Shit, he really heard that then.
[00:00]	* Shepard	looms over Judith impassively, taking note of every emotional display her body and her voice produces.
[00:00]	<[Pyg]Judith>	W-well, yeah. I do. I've stay with all of you all this time, haven't I?
[00:02]	<Shepard>	That's not what I want to hear, Judith. I was right before, something is wrong. And every moment you hesitate to tell me is another moment my blood is sullied in poison.
[00:06]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Nothing's wrong, Boss. Besides, I've been a sleep a while. You expect me to be right in the head again after not using it for decades?"
[00:09]	<Shepard>	Don't joke with me!
[00:10]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Trust me, I'm not expecting you to laugh."
[00:10]	* Shepard	slams Judith against the carriage, forcing it back a foot or two.
[00:12]	* [Pyg]Judith	merely lets out a grunt as her back hits the carriage. Here he goes again.
[00:13]	<Shepard>	I... do my best, for you two. All that I ask is for your allegiance and cooperation. I can do without your god damn selfishness.
[*Mary] <[GM]Mary       Meanwhile!
[00:16]	* [Mys]Sidney	sneezes
[00:16]	<[Mys]Sidney>	*sniff*
[00:16]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"And you have it, no question. No way am I taking your hospitality for granted. If you never came back I'd be asleep for a while longer. I might as well have become dead."
[00:17]	* [Owen]Phrine	wanders about the town's main street, still thinking about how best to find a meal...
[00:19]	* Shepard	steps in closer to Judith, the anger melting from his face.
[00:19]	<Shepard>	Listen to me, Judith. You're my companion. Everything I put forth, I do it so you may enjoy your eternal life most greatly. I am certain, now, that something disturbs you, and perhaps it always has. I want you to share this with me, so that I may take action or council.
[00:21]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Mrrreh...I have to be subtle, he said...have to be careful, he said...Being sneaky can be fun too, ri-ight?"
[00:24]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Expect I used that trick so many times...it's getting boring...but I'm hu-ungry..."
[00:24]	* [Pyg]Judith	sighs, lifting a hand up and laying in on her master's cheek.
[00:24]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"It's sweet that you care, really, but this...I think I have to sort it out on my own. You, Letty, Phrine, and even that new girl, you're all my highest priority. No matter what strange thoughts get in my head, I won't forget that. If...I can't handle it on my own, trust me, I'll let you know."
[00:25]	* [Pyg]Judith	allows her words to hopefully sink in to the master's ears. Otherwise, she's bracing herself for another dose of punishment.
[00:27]	* Shepard	peers closely at Judith, eyes level with her own, then steps away.
[00:29]	<Shepard>	So, you still won't tell me... I'll trust your words, for now. However, if you do not resolve this yourself, I will find out about it, one way or another. And it won't be you that I will punish. Is that understood?
[00:31]	* [Owen]Phrine	shrugs. After all, she's got to start somewhere, right?
[00:32]	* [Pyg]Judith	is fully aware of what he is implying, nevertheless returns a nearly defying stare at him. Oh, I'll get it sorted out, don't you worry.
[00:33]	<Shepard>	Understood?
[00:34]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Understood, Boss."
[00:34]	<Shepard>	Good. Run along, now, Phrine is waiting for you.
[00:36]	* [Pyg]Judith	walks past the master, toward where Phrine went off to with help from her bat.
[00:42]	<[GM]Mary>	WRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY! I mean, cut!