Shepards Vampires 9

Session Nine: Vengeance
[21:31]	<[GM]Mary>	Dusk, Night Two.
[21:36]	<[GM]Mary>	Judith, Letty & Phrine: You awaken in the basement, lying together on a single mattress. There was once an unconscious girl in the room, but she has been moved.
[21:37]	* [Owen]Phrine	dreamed of blood-flavored marshmallows. Never mind they don't exist in 1870, she's just that weird.
[21:37]	* [Pyg]Judith	's eyes flicker open and stares at the ceiling as the rest of her body begins to wake up.
[21:38]	* [Owen]Phrine	is currently latched onto Judith's leg. Warm~...
[21:39]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...no...sugar-frosted blood...cooommme baaaack~..."
[21:40]	* [huh]Letty	sits up.
[21:40]	<[huh]Letty>	Good morning.
[21:40]	<[Pyg]Judith>	Evening.
[21:41]	* [Pyg]Judith	tries to move her leg but feels a weight on it. She sits up to have a look and finds a Phrine.
[21:41]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Is he back yet?"
[21:41]	* [Owen]Phrine	vaguely chases after images of marshmallows with her hand. Oh, Mom's up too?
[21:41]	* [Pyg]Judith	asks as she absentmindedly strokes Phrine's hair.
[21:42]	<[huh]Letty>	I don't rightly know.
[21:42]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Mmmm~...Mornin'..."
[21:44]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"We'd better check then. Come on, Phrine, up you get."
[21:44]	<[huh]Letty>	Good morning, Childe.
[21:45]	* [Owen]Phrine	reluctantly drifts away from Judith's leg and stands up, taking a deep breath of cellar air.
[21:46]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Aaahhhnnmmm...And I'm not a childe...I seduced those guys and ever-thin'..."
[21:46]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"M'all grown up~..."
[21:46]	* [Pyg]Judith	finally gets up, stretching her limbs every which way.
[21:47]	<[huh]Letty>	Of course you are.
[21:47]	* [huh]Letty	gives her a smile.
[21:47]	* [Tess]Joule	takes a deep breath and looks around the place. Probably abandoned before these arrived.
[21:48]	* [Owen]Phrine	readjusts the egg in her vest. It hurts a little, so she takes out the piece of cord and ties it around her back instead. Mmm...massage~...
[21:49]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Commmme on, Fffrine...up you gee~eet..."
[21:49]	* [Owen]Phrine	wanders up...the stairs.
[21:49]	<[Tess]Joule>	. o (Abandoned? No, its condition is too good for that. Just what might have happened?)
[21:49]	* [huh]Letty	follows the little one.
[21:50]	* [Tess]Joule	wanders around the room, coming to stop at the top of some stairs.
[21:50]	* [Pyg]Judith	is right behind the two.
[21:50]	* Shepard	sits in a rocking chair, stroking the hairs of a small, human girl. She seems to be asleep, or under a spell that causes such.
[21:52]	<Shepard>	Ah, good evening, my darlings. I hope the rest did you well.
[21:53]	* [Owen]Phrine	makes it to the first floor and wanders around dreamily. She finds a table and stands on top of it. Is this up enough...?
[21:53]	* [Owen]Phrine	stares at the ceiling. Ooo, cobwebs.
[21:53]	<[huh]Letty>	Good, ah, evening, master.
[21:53]	* Shepard	disapproves.
[21:54]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Hello little Ms. Spider..."
[21:54]	<Shepard>	Phrine, get off the table.
[21:54]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"But I'm sayin' hi~..."
[21:54]	* [Tess]Joule	observes the girl on the table. Curious...
[21:54]	<Shepard>	Phrine...
[21:55]	* [Owen]Phrine	finds the spider boring. It doesn't even say hi back! She looks around for something more interesting...
[21:55]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Ooh~...?"
[21:55]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Picking up more girlies, eh, Boss?"
[21:56]	* Shepard	shakes his head at Phrine, but turns to answer Judith.
[21:56]	* [Owen]Phrine	sees some new kind of person. Hello...? She drifts closer.
[21:57]	* [Tess]Joule	adjusts her glasses, wondering whether or not she should greet the girl.
[21:58]	<Shepard>	Indeed. Judith, Leticia, Phrine, meet Joule. Joule, this is my covenant.
[21:59]	* [Owen]Phrine	circles around Joule slowly. New person is new~...
[22:00]	* [Pyg]Judith	nods in greeting at the new girl.
[22:00]	* [huh]Letty	bows to Joule.
[22:00]	<[huh]Letty>	Welcome, Joule.
[22:00]	* [Tess]Joule	nods at all three, adjusting her bowtie.
[22:00]	<[Tess]Joule>	Thank you. How are you all doing?
[22:00]	* [Owen]Phrine	is intrigued by the new girl's glasses. She points to them.
[22:01]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Those are funny~...Can I see?"
[22:03]	<[Tess]Joule>	I don't know, can't say if they'll keep existing if I take them off. Want to try?
[22:03]	* Shepard	sighs, and sits back with an elbow on the chair's arm. Let's see how she responds to Phrine, first.
[22:03]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Still no sign of the werewolf?"
[22:03]	* [Owen]Phrine	pulls at the glasses. Do want...
[22:03]	<Shepard>	None.
[22:04]	* [Tess]Joule	's glasses come off. They're surprisingly light.
[22:04]	<[huh]Letty>	I begin to be worried about that girl...
[22:05]	* [Owen]Phrine	puts the glasses on. Now she can see SCIENCE! like a smart person~!
[22:06]	<Shepard>	Hm. Perhaps you should search for her, then?
[22:07]	* [Owen]Phrine	notices something odd about Joule from this close a distance.
[22:07]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Hey, Jewel~...Your eyes're all spaaarrklyyy~..."
[22:08]	<[huh]Letty>	I should.
[22:08]	<[huh]Letty>	It would be a dishonor if she were to die, after all.
[22:08]	* [Tess]Joule	cocks her head.
[22:08]	<[Tess]Joule>	Really? What's it look like?
[22:09]	* [Owen]Phrine	tries to remember that word. Uuuuuuuuuuummm...
[22:09]	* [Pyg]Judith	looks a little sad at Letty. They haven't really spent any time together since they left the castle.
[22:10]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"...mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm, uuuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh..."
[22:10]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Like sparklies."
[22:11]	* [Tess]Joule	's glasses suddenly disappear off Phrine's nose, a bolt jumping from there to in front of Joule's eyes. She's wearing them again, unfazed.
[22:11]	<[huh]Letty>	Wha-
[22:11]	* [huh]Letty	reflexively assumes a ready martial stance.
[22:12]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Hmm...Neat trick."
[22:12]	* [Owen]Phrine	is apparently too "egged" to care.
[22:12]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Ooooo~...Sparky~..."
[22:13]	* [Tess]Joule	giggles.
[22:14]	* [huh]Letty	relaxes.
[22:14]	<[huh]Letty>	Indeed, an interesting feat.
[22:15]	<Shepard>	I certainly hope you're capable of more than entertaining my companions with parlor tricks.
[22:15]	* Shepard	speaks unimpressed.
[22:16]	<[Tess]Joule>	Strange of you to say, Shepard. I thought you'd seen me exercise my capability to a reasonable extent earlier.
[22:17]	<Shepard>	That, on the other hand, was quite impressive. I do hope your future audiences can contain themselves.
[22:18]	* [Tess]Joule	shrugs.
[22:18]	* [Owen]Phrine	rubs her cheek on Joule's shoulder affectionately.
[22:19]	<[Tess]Joule>	By the time I resort to such things, the situation might have moved past that point already.
[22:19]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Mmmm'kay, we're friends now~..."
[22:19]	<Shepard>	Ah, right. Thank you for reminding me, Phrine.
[22:20]	* [Tess]Joule	pets Phrine's head with her other hand.
[22:21]	* Shepard	sets the girl in his seat and stands up straight.
[22:23]	* [Mys]Sidney	is probably having a whacky adventure right now
[22:24]	<Shepard>	Leticia, Phrine, Judith, Joule here is a spectre that excels in human magic. She will work as an adviser of sorts on such subjects, as well as a creator to suit your needs. In return, I want you to be her friend.
[22:25]	* Shepard	turns to Joule.
[22:25]	<[huh]Letty>	A spectre?
[22:25]	* [Owen]Phrine	doesn't need to listen to that, because she already IS Jewel's friend! She wanders over to make friends with this other girl in the chair instead.
[22:26]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Has she got a reason to be working with our kind?"
[22:26]	<[Tess]Joule>	...A strange kind of spectre, but in essence yes.
[22:27]	<Shepard>	Joule, I want you to seek mysteries and assist my coven in whatever ways you can provide. If they need help and your ability is within reach, you're obligated to do so. If you require equipments, I will see what I can do about providing.
[22:28]	* [Tess]Joule	nods.
[22:28]	* [Owen]Phrine	sits down in the chair and puts the girl in her lap. Shhh, now, sleep easy~...
[22:28]	<[GM]Mary>	Phrine: The other girl appears to be asleep, though somehow melancholic.
[22:28]	* [Mys]Sidney	enters the room. She looks like she has fallen down multiple cliff sides and been in two or fewer fires.
[22:28]	<[Tess]Joule>	Understood, Shepard. I do have one question, though...
[22:29]	<Shepard>	Question?
[22:29]	<[huh]Letty>	Ah, Sidney, childe.
[22:29]	* Shepard	Looks to Leticia, nodding his head in Sidney's direction.
[22:29]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"Well, well, look who it is."
[22:30]	<[Mys]Sidney>	Hi~ Letty~
[22:30]	<[Mys]Sidney>	Judy booty~
[22:30]	* [Mys]Sidney	giggles
[22:30]	* [Mys]Sidney	picks some twigs out of her hair.
[22:30]	* [Pyg]Judith	frowns.
[22:30]	<[Tess]Joule>	Is it problematic at all if I conduct experiments of my own volition?
[22:31]	* [Tess]Joule	listens for an answer, but turns to the newcomer.
[22:31]	<Shepard>	No. So long that it does not disturb myself or any of the others, you're free to do as you like. I would prefer that you work for our benefit, however.
[22:32]	* Shepard	looks at Sidney again.
[22:32]	<Shepard>	...
[22:32]	<Shepard>	Leticia, would it bother you too much as to give this one a proper bath?
[22:33]	<[Mys]Sidney>	...!
[22:33]	* [huh]Letty	puts some effort into fixing Sidney's appearance.
[22:33]	<[huh]Letty>	Ah, as you wish, master.
[22:33]	* [Mys]Sidney	smiles wide and latches to one of Letty's legs
[22:33]	<Shepard>	Hmm... wait.
[22:33]	* [Tess]Joule	approaches Sidney and extends her hand.
[22:34]	* [Mys]Sidney	sniffs the offered hand before licking it
[22:34]	<[Mys]Sidney>	You wanna be my friend?
[22:35]	* Shepard	goes to the table and finds some extra chairs.
[22:36]	<[Mys]Sidney>	Come with me and Aunty Letty! Bath time is fun time!
[22:36]	* [Mys]Sidney	releases Letty's leg and grabs the girls hand.
[22:36]	<Shepard>	That will have to wait. For now, everyone have a seat.
[22:36]	<[Mys]Sidney>	hm?
[22:38]	* [Owen]Phrine	is already seated; not a problem! She starts humming a song gently into the girl's ear.
[22:38]	* [huh]Letty	takes her own seat, bodily displacing Sidney if need be.
[22:38]	* [Pyg]Judith	takes a seat, crossing her legs.
[22:38]	<Shepard>	We've not held a good palaver since our departure from the castle. I believe it would do us well to discuss what we are to do from here on out.
[22:38]	* [Tess]Joule	shakes Sidney's hand, then turning and taking a seat.
[22:40]	* [Mys]Sidney	sits in a chair...
[22:48]	<Shepard>	I've not collected much information about the time, now... maybe Joule could speak on a better half of it. But this, I have known: The one who destroyed us still lives on.
[22:48]	<Shepard>	I was wondering what your reaction might be to such a thing.
[22:49]	<[huh]Letty>	I myself an overjoyed at the news.
[22:49]	* [Tess]Joule	is confused, it's apparent on her face.
[22:49]	<[huh]Letty>	I would not live with myself if anyone other than me ended him.
[22:50]	* [Owen]Phrine	is vaguely listening. Or at least APPEARS to be only vaguely listening.
[22:51]	* Shepard	notices Joule's confusion, and sets a hand atop of hers. Assuming she has a hand on the table. Otherwise, he does not.
[22:51]	<Shepard>	You must excuse me, as I shall be talking of things that bear you no concern, as of now.
[22:51]	* [Pyg]Judith	's expression makes a subtle change, looking a little strained as her thoughts recall a certain moment from years ago.
[22:52]	* Shepard	goes back to his crew.
[22:54]	<Shepard>	I had thought that you would bear resentment, and I, as well, have rooted hatred into what they had done to us. But... I would like to hear your answers before considering anything more hastily. I ask, do you seek vengeance?
[22:57]	* [Owen]Phrine	recalls vague memories or her past life before "the sleep". Running them through the "egg filter" provides her with...an interesting perspective.
[22:58]	<[Mys]Sidney>	Naw, but I'll help Letty, if she wants to!
[22:58]	* [Mys]Sidney	was not killed, thus has no specific grudge to bear.
[22:59]	* [Owen]Phrine	gives up on that train of thought for favor of one that uses the memory of a flying Bible hitting her on the head. That wasn't very nice, was it?
[23:00]	<[huh]Letty>	A single death would not be enough.
[23:00]	* [Pyg]Judith	glances at Leticia and Phrine, conflicted, a little afraid that the same fate may befall them all again, and probably more permanent.
[23:00]	* [Owen]Phrine	reasons that any plan which ends in her getting hurt is a bad plan. Such as Sheppy's plan here.
[23:02]	<[Pyg]Judith>	"You said he's alive. Does that mean you also know where he is?"
[23:04]	<Shepard>	As of now? No. But the one who remained, he was no mortal, just man. Unless he's fled from Europe, I believe I can determine his location in a fortnight.
[23:06]	<Shepard>	Leticia, I take it you wish to kill him?
[23:06]	<[huh]Letty>	I wish to make him suffer.
[23:06]	<[huh]Letty>	And then, yes, I will kill him.
[23:06]	* Shepard	nods.
[23:06]	<Shepard>	I see. That is one, then.
[23:07]	<[huh]Letty>	Please excuse me, then. I will take Sidney to bath.
[23:08]	<Shepard>	You are excused.
[23:08]	* Shepard	returns to the others.
[23:09]	* [Pyg]Judith	thinks a little more. If getting rid of that man means she can maintain living with everyone here a little longer...
[23:09]	* [Mys]Sidney	is taken off to the bath~
[23:09]	<[Pyg]Judith>	Yes...I agree with Letty.
[23:11]	* [Tess]Joule	rests her chin on her fist, thinking.
[23:11]	* Shepard	nods to Judith, becoming more confident in his campaign.
[23:14]	<Shepard>	I've opened this to discussion because some of you may fear a repeat of history, however... our reemergence has not gone unseen. Certainly, we could evade destruction if we are discreet, but I would rather be damned than to be forced to hide like a coward from foes I must destroy. If we do not strike soon, he will come back to do us in for good, and we may not return next time.
[23:16]	<Shepard>	Phrine, I will understand if you do not wish to go to war, but you're an equal member of this coven, and so I am obliged to hear your answer.
[23:17]	* [Owen]Phrine	is pulled out of her egg's ZA WARUDO by Shepard's voice. She looks at him, then at the girl's hair, thinking...
[23:18]	* [Owen]Phrine	has this feeling...this bad feeling...
[23:19]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"The things...that you don't hurt...end up...hurting, you..."
[23:19]	* [Owen]Phrine	speaks in a very staggered voice, but it's much different that her normal dreamy speech.
[23:20]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"I'm...going. I...don't know why."
[23:21]	* Shepard	grins, only enough for a fang to protrude.
[23:22]	<Shepard>	Ah, but I know, and Judith knows. You've made the right decision, Phrine. Jude, you should be proud of her.
[23:22]	* [Owen]Phrine	stares vacantly at Shepard, her mouth half open and her eyes dull.
[23:23]	* [Pyg]Judith	is silent, nodding half-heartedly.
[23:23]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"They...didn't...play by...the rules...last time..."
[23:24]	* [Owen]Phrine	doesn't really even know what she's saying now. But there's some part of her that does...
[23:24]	<Shepard>	There were no rules, last time. We will not be spared such a human convenience this time, either. But we will strike first. This will make all of the difference.
[23:26]	<Shepard>	Though we're not a fourth of our prior strength, we've experienced the price for our follies. I also have a few new tricks up my sleeve... As well as a new companion, who shall surely aid us well in the coming campaign.
[23:27]	* [Tess]Joule	nods, though she's still a little lost.
[23:27]	<Shepard>	Joule, you are not obligated to fight for us, though I expect you to provide support. Show me what you can do with your human creations.
[23:27]	* [Tess]Joule	grins.
[23:28]	<[Tess]Joule>	Well, with a little time for research and some materials, the question becomes: what do you want?
[23:28]	* [Tess]Joule	chuckles, with an air of good humor but a streak of madness.
[23:31]	<Shepard>	What ever can help. Your knowledge alone may be enough to aid us. Though, perhaps I should divulge some information to you, first. Your look of madness is second only to your confusion.
[23:31]	* Shepard	smirks, continuing.
[23:33]	<Shepard>	We were once a proud covenant of vampires, and the castle outside of this town was our very home. Forty years ago, humans waged war against us, and through their numbers, extraordinary weapons, and the cunning of a creature of a different creed... they destroyed us.
[23:35]	* Shepard	maintains a contemplative expression, one that surely shows no sorrow, but also shows it is surely hidden.
[23:36]	* [Pyg]Judith	's eyebrows twitch at "destroyed," but otherwise maintains a calm look.
[23:38]	<Shepard>	Judith, Leticia, Phrine, and everyone I held dear were slaughtered before me. In my rage, I could not think properly to eradicate every foe that besieged me. Though I killed perhaps dozens of the human's greatest heroes and warriors, it was not enough. I was banished to another realm, never to return.
[23:39]	<Shepard>	My rage did me well in that respect, as it drove me to do so anyway. Now we're back, and ready for our revenge.
[23:42]	<Shepard>	Does anyone have any other questions?
[23:43]	* [Owen]Phrine	raises her hand.
[23:44]	<Shepard>	...Yes, Phrine?
[23:44]	* [Owen]Phrine	reconsiders and puts her hand down.
[23:44]	* [Owen]Phrine	reconsiders again and puts her hand back up.
[23:44]	* Shepard	sighs.
[23:44]	<Shepard>	Speak up.
[23:45]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Ummm...nevermind..."
[23:46]	<Shepard>	Is this something you would rather confer privately?
[23:46]	<[Owen]Phrine>	"Nooh, I'll...I'll think of it later...sounds too stupid right now..."
[23:47]	* Shepard	shakes his head.
[23:47]	<Shepard>	Joule, if you were to come up with a way to give this one some intelligence, I would give you the world.
[23:49]	* [Tess]Joule	considers.
[23:49]	* [Pyg]Judith	's calm expression changes into a frowning one.
[23:50]	<[Tess]Joule>	Well, I do have some studies about the brain. I'll look into it.
[23:51]	* Shepard	hmphs under his breath, smirking again.
[23:51]	<Shepard>	Alright then. It is settled.
[23:52]	<Shepard>	Tonight, we begin our quest.
[23:54]	<[Tess]Joule>	I wonder just what studies it'll bring~...
[23:55]	<Shepard>	Now, I suggest, perhaps it would do us better if we freshened up before anything else. If it's of no consequence to you, Judith and Phrine, I will fetch some water to prepare your own bath.