Location: Ville au Camp -> New York City 1980's -> Ville au Camp
Skills: N/A
Skills: N/A
Skills: Diplomacy
Sitting down on a stool in the barn, Evelina lit up a cigarette and took a long pull from it. The woman looked remarkably different than normal. Usually she was dressed properly, tailored, well groomed. Right now?
She looked as though she was recovering from a three day bender. Torn black jeans, dirty biker boots, her hair was mussed and dirty, her make up running, a worn leather jacket on her thin frame that hung far to big on her. Pieces of spiked jewelry and even what looked like a safety pin through not only her nose but her ears as well.
"Your bags are inside the barn, change quickly." Faith knew the drill by now. Got up, checked note, either complained or complimented what they would possibly be doing, and then left. She was finally with the Emendator she asked for. Saving the best for last, hopefully. Or the most intense. Scariest? All applied, as far as she knew. So she got ready and left for the Barn. Once there, much like Bella had, there were packs with clothes. This time was different though, as Evalina did not look like her normal put-together self. Instead, if she had to wager a guess, she was like some punk or grunge rocker she had seen before. It made Faith somewhat excited to open her pack. From the colors, she guessed it was more punk rocker than goth.
"I guess we have little time, also? I'll get changed here then." Faith found a private area in the Barn (or as best as she could get) so Bart's eyes didn't wander and got ready. She took the hair out and applied it as she was naked. Happy it was pink, she aired it out and, once dired, put on the clothes. She was familiar with piercings, but she only ever had her ears pierced. This has a nose ring and an eyebrow ring. Happy it was fake, at least, she applied and stepped back out.
"Ready. Where are we going?" Today was the day Bartholomew would start his final round of training, and there wasn't much he could say. He'd be with Evelina and, as always, Faith. He didn't know what to expect from The Dice as a teacher, really only seeing her as a figure that and ran the show and commanded respect. Definitely somebody to keep his cool around, not only because he figured she would take no kind of nonsense, but because he thought he could learn a lot from her. Once he reached the Barn, he saw Evelina and almost did a double take. That was the last way he'd ever expect to see her dressed. Honestly, she reminded him of his own mother after a bender, even if a bit more extreme, given that safety pin like bit of jewelry. Wordlessly, his own bag, and got to finding his own private section to change in. Upon seeing it, he raised a surprised eyebrow. He was cool with dressing like this, but did hope they'd be going somewhere cooler than Louisiana. Even as he slipped on the jacket, the leather clung to his skin uncomfortably. All dressed, he stepped back out, and tried his best to look like he belonged in the clothes he was in, knowing that wherever he was going, he'd need to blend in. Bart nodded at Faith's question, and leaned back against the Barn wall, waiting for an answer.
Evelina flicked the butt of her cigarette, blowing the smoke roughly as she stepped towards Faith and Bart. Giving them the one over and then nodding in approval once she was sure they passed muster with the look. They would fit in well enough.
"To meet an old friend of mine. I suggest you be on your best behavior, more so than ever. Where we are going, if you screw up, they will turn you into a meal. I would educate you further but I believe that I will leave that to my friend. After which, we are going on a bit of a field trip beyond that. Today will be busy, so keep up. Keep your eyes peeled, and don't get seduced," she said in a warning tone before making her way out of the barn and to the portal. Stepping through, she came out in a dark alleyway. The smell of garbage and rotting material heavy in the nostrils, the sound of cars blaring horns and people moving filling the ears, and deep neon lights could be seen on the bustling street at the opening of the alley.
"Welcome to the Deadlight District, New York. 1980's." Faith had a feeling it would be in the 80s if the outfits were any indication. The ominous warning though left a sinking feeling in her gut. Was thing going to be harder than anything they faced before? She didn't know if that was a good thing or bad. Still, she followed Evelina through the portal. The smell was what hit her first and it was not pleasant. How she would ever be seduced here was beyond her, but she hadn't seen anything. She always wanted to see New York and now, after death, she was getting her chance. But she would not mess it up. If Bella taught her anything, it was that they had a job to do. So she stuck by Evelina and walked the streets of the Deadlight District. One thing was for sure: they were definitely dressed for the part.
Bart raised a curious eyebrow at Evelina's comment. Turn him into a meal? What on earth did she mean by that? He kept himself from rolling his eyes on the instruction to not be seduced. He considered himself above that, not being prone to philandering. He followed after The Dice, and gagged at the scent that assaulted his nostrils as he stepped through the portal. He quickly recomposed himself, and nodded at Evelina informing them of where they were. He'd always wanted to see New York, and even though he knew he was here for the mission and the mission alone, he could at least take joy in the fact that he finally did make it here. Breathing as little as possible to mitigate the scent flowing into his nose, he readied himself to follow The Dice.
Evelina shoved her hands into her pockets and stepped out into New York City proper. The cars were rushing by and people were walking this way and that. Keeping the cigarette tight between her lips she started walking down the sidewalk. Hookers and drug dealers were by every pole they passed. That was until a long line started to form outside of a club. Club After Dark. Above the front door hung a sign that said "Bleacher Seats". Evelina passed it without looking and turned down the next alleyway. Walking down the side of the building she came to another door. "No Herd Allowed," was spray painted on the worn door. Evelina pulled her hand from her pocket and knocked. A slit in the door opened and two very amber eyes looked through. The slit closed and the door opened. What appeared filling the door-frame was different. It was a man, or man like. A very large humanoid creature was standing there with tusks coming out of his mouth. He was as tall as the door frame and nearly as a wide, dressed in a blue velvet suit with a pompadour hair style. "Well shit, Miss Eve! Whatcha be doin' here?" the man asked as he reached out his grotesque warted hand.
"Here to see Golly, got some herd that needs an education. Don't worry, they're under my umbrella," she said as she shook the mans hand.
"Faith, Bartholomew, meet Freddy. Freddy, these are my students. They love Elvis, don't you?" she said as Freddy held his hand out to them. The tone of her voice was that of
"even if you don't say you do." Faith kept walking along the streets of New York. It was definitely not as glamorous as TV and moves led her to believe, but then again she had always known that there was darkness to every light. This was only cementing that fact. She watched Eve, who seemed to be milling about as if she knew the place. Just how long HAS she been around? Faith ignored the hookers and the drug dealing. That was commonplace in any big city, really. She passed by a few signs, taking some notice in them, but otherwise, they were worn and not worth her attention. What did command her attention was the club.
Sparked by some excitement at entering the club, she was met with disappointment when Eve kept walking towards a different door that said: "No Herds Allowed". Curious as to what it meant, she was given an answer when Eve knocked and the door opened to some large manlike beast with teeth jutting from its mouth. Faith took a step back, unsure if this thing was normal, but Eve and the thing greeted each other like they were old friends. Faith stepped back up and shook the creature's hand. She took note of Eve's face. She didn't dislike Elvis. Far from it, he had good music.
"Yeah, I love Elvis. It's nice to meet you, Freddy." Bart clenched his teeth as they walked past Club After Dark. He knew they were literally on the other side of the country, but he felt a kind of tightness in his chest at being reminded of the place he visited the day he died. Drawing deep breaths, he just focused his eyes ahead, but it wasn't going away. His head felt light, and he was finding it hard to focus on the task ahead of him. Knowing that his distress would matter very little in this situation, he just tried to go with it. After all, he was in New York, far away from Justice, before he was even born. Everything would be fine.
While rationalizing his safety to himself, he was brought out of his thought by being introduced to the monstrosity in front of him. He glanced Evelina, uncertain, but quickly nodded along to her question. "
Elvis rocks." He grunted in reply, trying to keep the character he was supposed to be playing in mind. He'd never seen anybody like Freddy before, and found himself staring at the long tusks coming out of his mouth. What on earth was he? Were they even in his original time line, or was this some alternate universe with animal people?
Freddy snorted and grinned, his yellow teeth and tusks shining in the alleyway light. "Hey, was worried for a second there but these herd be okay with me Miss Eve. Go on in, Golly's at his table," he said, patting Barts back with a heavy hand and stepping aside so they could enter. Evelina nodded and stepped in, tossing her smoke on the ground and putting it out with her boot as she went. Once they were inside there was another door in front of them and the sound of hard core punk metal was playing. Resting a hand on the door she pushed it open and the music blared. Inside was something out of a motion picture. It was a large run down room filled with people. Where they people though? Most looked human enough but then there was a girl with bat like wings and horns coming out of her head. She was dancing seductively against a man who looked like mummy without the bandages. A woman with pale skin walked passed them and she looked normal enough for a punk. That was until one caught of a glimpse of her back side. It was open and looked to house rotting forest floor debris.
"Welcome to After Dark." It was hard to surprise Faith, or so she liked to think. After all, she lived in a world where the dead came back and attacked the living, so one would assume nothing else could phase her. That is, until she stepped into the club. Despite her best efforts, she had never actually set foot in a club, but this was about how she pictured a punk club to be. Except for the....human-like people around. Faith entered and took a deep inhale that was quickly cut off. She spotted things she never saw before and it was both wild and freaky. It was like something out of a fantasy movie or a book.
Faith was hard-pressed to stay near Evelina, since the woman seemed familiar with this setting. Even though she looked the part, and could act it if need be, this was still very unsettling.
"So, I hate to sound like this, but what are these people? I mean bat wings? Tusks?" she said in a whisper close to Evelina's ear so she could hear over the pumping music. If they were gonna blend in here, they would need to do a LOT better, it seemed.
Stopping Evelina looked over towards the woman and nodded.
"This is the Kindred timeline. Freddy is a Magnadon kind of like a smart ogre. She is a Daemon, she is dancing with a Wyght. They are from the Twisted Dimensions. That is a White Woman, and that," she said as she pointed over at the bar. There was a man in a top hat cleaning glasses behind the bar. It was a look that was familiar to Faith but not like this.
"Phil's a Zombie, a Walker in your old time line, but don't worry, he can talk. Don't try to kill him," she said before turning and continuing to walk. She stopped at a booth. Sitting behind it was a large bald man who had pointy ears and skin the color of copper. He stood up slowly as Evelina approached, he had to be over seven feet tall and weigh at least 300 pounds. His shirt had a large smiley face on and said Don't Worry Be Happy. His fangs glistened in the light of the room.
"And this is Golgotha." "I'm a Vampyre, you two are Paradoxes, and she is an Emendator." he said wrapping his arm around Evelina and grinning before sitting back down and Evelina taking a seat next to him. He motioned for Bart and Faith to join them. "Please, have a seat. I am sure you have plenty of questions. Unlike my tight lipped friend, I do usually answer them." Evelina smirked a bit as she slipped off her jacket and got comfortable. "Don't give me that look Eve. It took a thousand years for you to finally tell me your name," he laughed heartily.
Bart stumbled a bit when he was slapped on the back, but stuck close to Evelina. He gave uncertain looks at the people around them. This was unlike anything he'd ever seen before, not only because of the people, but the atmosphere in general. Loud music and perversity weren't really his thing, that combined with learning about this new timeline totally put him on edge. He tried to relax, to calm himself for the mission, but this was hard. Really though, this wasn't any more stressful than the battle field he saw with The Hat,so he was fine for now.
He gave an interested look at Golgotha, and nodded as he sat down across from The Dice, resting his hands on the table. He was surprised by how much he knew about them, but was very surprised at the promise of answers. Glancing at Evelina, he figured he might as well. "
Well uh, you've met Paradoxes in the past I take it? How'd that happen?" He's assumed that their work wasn't the type of thing that they shared openly, but he could be wrong. Then again, this was training, maybe it was like a rite of passage to come here, for whatever reason.
Golgotha eyed Bart. "You weren't lying," he said to Evelina before looking back at him. "Not many. Belladonna mostly, she is special as is her daughter. Only a handful of my kind know of you all. Elders. Conretes. You're secrets are far more important than even mine," he said before taking a sip from the glass in front of him, it shimmered red in the low light of the place.
Faith took a tentative seat across from the...man? This was all going around in her head, she probably looked high. Which, given the environment, may not be a bad thing. He seemed friendly enough, but then again, didn't most people before they stuck a knife in your back? Plus, Eve did tell them not to be seduced. Faith imagined Golgotha was rather good at that.
"So, most of my vampire lore may be wrong, so is the common trends true? Stake to the heart? Need to be invited? Et cetera, et cetera?" Faith was really interested in figuring all of this out before they were subjecgted to whatever torture....she meant test, Eve had planned for them.
Golgotha laughed. "Well who wouldn't that kill? But as far as the rest go, would you go out telling people how to best kill you?" he asked and Evelina smirked a bit. "But no my dear. I don't need an invitation. I do prefer one though. It's just good manners. Miss Eve here knows what I am speaking about, why she asked before showing up with you two. I know her well enough to not have come if I had said no." Evelina nodded as she glanced around and then sighed. "What?" Golgotha asked before another caught his eye. "Oh her..."
A tall curvy woman came over, dressed in a silk emerald green suit. She was astonishingly sultry. Behind her were two twin blondes. She slithered over and into the seat next to Golgotha. "Darling, why must you constantly slum it with the..." the woman began to say before spotting Evelina. "Oh now I understand."
"Wo," Evelina said with a nod.
"
Woah indeed." Bartholomew said, his attention quickly enraptured by their new visitor. She was absolutely stunning, beyond anything Bartholomew had ever seen before. Forgetting completely about the rest of them, he smiled at her and said,
"Would you like to join us?" His voice obviously hopeful. He couldn't get up at the moment, as Faith was blocking him from getting up and out, but that didn't stop him from trying to get closer to her. He scooted himself closer to her, which inadvertently put him closer to Faith, but hey, he didn't really care about that right now.
Faith was transfixed on Golgotha so much she almost didn't notice the woman who stepped up with some rather rude words for Eve. As Faith turned to give the bitch what for she was stunned. Truly, Faith had never seen someone so beautiful before. All she could say was,
"Muh..." She could feel Bart pushing against her, she glared at him and pushed him back farther into the seat.
"Move over, loser. Let the lovely lady sit. Here." she said with a smile, scooching to give her some room. Eyes fixated on Wo, she wanted her to speak more. Say more mean things so long as it came out of those lovely lips.
Evelina cleared her throat.
"Wo, not Whoa..." Evelina corrected. Golgotha just chuckled.
"Oh she's good," Golgotha muttered.
"Considering my age I should be darling. Are these the muppets you wanted me to entertain this evening?" Wo asked as she glanced towards Evelina. The motherly Emendator nodded and she grinned and leaned against Faith, wrapping an arm around her and flicking the back of Barts neck with her finger lightly. "How marvelous."
"They are NOT to become addicted, they are under my umbrella and if you should I warn you Miss Babylon I will roll my dice on you," Evelina warned in a voice that made even Golgothas skin crawl. Wo nodded but slipped out of the seat and edged both Faith and Bart with her.
"Come you lovely creatures, I have a little surprise for you," she said as she ushered them with an arm around each towards the back of the club to a door marked Private. The twin vampyers with Wo following along giggling. "I have a lovely little field trip planned for us. I promise, it will be something you will never forget," she purred.
Bart gave an annoyed look at Faith as he was shoved back. He grinned dumbly as the back of his neck was flicked, and found himself being easily led wherever Wo wanted to take him. "
Awesome." He said lightly. Wasn't he already on a field trip with Eve? Maybe she was just dropping them off to spend time with this lovely woman. For once, he found himself shutting up, and just happily taking in what was happening. He looked over at the two blonde vampyres coming along with them, and found himself laughing along with them.
Faith ignored Eve's comments as she watched Wo. She stood up and followed the woman, inching ever closer as they walked the line. It didn't matter what they did. Faith was now, more so than ever, willing to go to the ends of the Earth if it meant spending time with this woman. Even if Bart had to come with, it still was worth it, in her opinion.
"Wherever you want to go, baby, I'm there." Faith giggled like a school girl in return.
The door opened and Wo lead them through, the vampire girls shutting the door and remaining there. A set of stairs started leading down, steeply. Making them walk in a single line. Wo situated herself in the middle of this Paradox sandwich, teasing them until they reached the bottom. Another door. She opened it and pulled them through, the door shut on its own behind them. The light was low until Wo clapped her hands. As it lit up there were glass rooms one could see into, in each one - a body hung. Not a whole body mind you, just the trunk. Head, arms, and legs removed. They were attached to life support systems with tubes running in and out of them. "Come on darlings, this way," she teased, running her tongue along her lips.
Bart was absolutely enthralled by Wo as she led them down the steps. His mouth was even open a little as he found himself staring at her, his eyes always going back to her more curvy features. He normally liked to think himself better than this, but she was too hot to handle. A tiny bit of drool even dribbled out the side of his mouth, which he did manage to dry of with his sleeve. As he was led into the room, he paid no mind to the cavalcade of horrors in front of him, Wo completely eating up his attention. "
Yes Ma'am." He said, having no intention on stopping following her.
To someone not seduced by the lovely vixen leading them deeper and deeper into the spider's web, seeing the various body parts in glass rooms would put anyone off. Faith, however, was not paying attention to that. With Wo behind her as she crept down the stairs, feeling the warm breath on her and knowing that a touch was not far off left her feeling free. So she kept following despite the room saying "Go away!". To hell with you room! Faith wanted nothing more than to please Wo.
Through another door and to another set of stairs. Down they went, down, down down. Wo keeping them seduced as the walls changed from concrete to rock. From man made to natural. They had made their way into the subterranean world far far below New York City. Caverns, sprawling wide and long. She worked them even deeper. As she did, her look shifted. She dropped her Alter form as easily as The Hate changed his form. Yet she didn't look human anymore. Long horns sprouted from her temples, curling high above her skull. Bat like wings emerged from her back, stretched fully that would easily cover twenty feet. Her feet shifted into hooves and her skin darkened to a rustic aubergine. Oddly, despite all this, she was still remarkably attractive. They were miles below the surface now and she dropped the Seduction. "Welcome to the Worm Holes darlings."
Bart took no notice on the changing of the rock, still very enthused by Wo, that is, up until he wasn't. As if waking from a trance, he found his head clearing, a look of shock crossing his face. He shook his head, and said, "
Work Homes? Wha- where are we? What's going on?" He remembered everything that he had done, but he didn't understand what he was thinking to just let her take him here. He looked upon her new form, "
What are you?" He asked, never having seen anything like this, "
Why are we here?" He knew Eve wouldn't just let them stroll off to mortal danger, so he was pretty sure he was safe, but still, he must've been very deep underground. He gave a look at the stone walls around him, and returned his focus on Wo, not liking the ide of being this deep underground.
As soon as the facade broke, Faith took in her surroundings. What was once pleasure was now pain. What was once lust was now loss. The room itself cried in terror as Faith took in Wo's appearance. She was drastically different than the sultry seductress she had followed. Faith wanted to leave. Now! Panicked and confused, Faith stumbled backwards. Surely Eve wouldn't put them through something like this. She wanted them to live right? Faith stood up and turned and ran, but she had no idea where she was going and she stumbled over and fell into a liquid. It looked like water, but it felt like ooze and slime. Faith felt for a way out, but none came as of yet.
"What the hell is this? What are you?" A sinister smile came to Wo's lips as she watched them. "I am a Daemon. That is Day-mon," she said before giving a wink and vanishing from site. She reappeared half a heart beat later next to Faith and picked her up like she was a weather. "And that is the slim trail of that," she said as she pointed over to a horrid looking creature slithering slowly along the ground. It was three feet long and two feet high. It was white and slimy and looked like a larvae, and it had a face of man. It wasn't so much frightful as downright disgusting. "Not harmful so much but they are a nasty feed if you have to eat on."
"Rather eat dirt," a voice said from behind a stalagmite. Stepping out from behind it could only be described as a six foot tall mummy without the wrappings. Dressed in ripped jeans, a leather vest, biker boots, and a worn in stetson. "Oh Wo, did you bring me dinner?" he said as the muscles on his face pulled back to show the bones of his jagged teeth.
Faith fought as best she could, but with all the things going on, it was not working. She glanced at the creature with disgust before she looked at where the voice came from. She had fought the dead before. However, this was beyond evenn them. Plus, it talked. And more, it wanted food. Faith struggled.
"No, let me go! Fuck you!" hidden amonst the threats were panic-stricken tears. She wanted to go home. Whatever home that was mattered little, she just wanted to get the hell out of there.
Bart had a small snort at Faith's reaction, not usually taking her for scaring easier than him. What he very much did not like, was her claiming herself to be a a Daemon, which he could only assume was this timeline's version of a demon. Now he was not a very religious person, but he figured daemon's weren't the best of folk because of this. He cringed at the sight of the massive larval monster, finding the being repulsive. What the hell was Eve thinking sending them out with this person? Just when he thought they were through with all of this, a fucking mummy staggered out from behind a rock. "
Okay. Nope, this is too fucking much." He said, his heart pounding at the grotesque being in front of them. On top of all of this, Faith of all people had lost her cool. He didn't like the girl much, but this was some fucked shit. He approached Wo, and tried to get Faith free, clumsily grabbing at the demon's hands, hoping to pry her away. "
Put her down. Now."
"Alexander, be nice," Wo said as she stood there holding Faith. Wo looked over at Bart and her eyes widened.
"Kids?" Alexander asked as he came closer. Wo nodded and grinned as she looked down at his hand at hers.
"As you wish," she said and then she vanished from sight, Faith dropping to the ground. Was she gone? No. Bart's body took on a life of it's own and he could hear Wo inside his head. He couldn't control his own body as Wo had possessed him. "Dance young one," the voice in his head said, and he did. Doing the Thriller Dance and his mouth open and he spoke but it was Wo's voice. "Cause this is Thriller! Thriller night! And no one’s gonna save you from the beast about to strike. You know it’s thriller! Thriller night! You’re fighting for your life inside a killer thriller tonight, yeah! Ahahahahahahahaha. I'm gonna bring it tonight!"
Alexander rushed over and scooped Faith up laughing. "You're a Paradox bitch, we can't Drain you, chill the fuck out," he said shaking his head before putting her down lightly. "Now, watch your step, that shits..." he stopped as he heard a noise and claws started growing out of the tips of his fingers. "Wo, stop playing around! We got company!" She materialized outside of Bart, leaving him standing there in mid dance as her skin deepened in color. There was good reason for their sudden shift. Coming quickly down the cave was something from a nightmare. It was a good twenty feet long, with legs like a spider, claws like a scorpion, sucking tubes coming out of the sides of its large head that had two huge black orb eyes and a mouth that was surrounded by fangs.
Faith hated all of this, but what made matters worse was the fact this was not planned. How is it a surprise that a creature like that was roaming free down here? Alex gripped her and, sure, maybe they were afraid of Eve and wouldn't hurt them, but Faith wasn't about to stand around and find out for sure. Beofre she could fight off Alex, he set her down and commanded Wo to stop as they all turned to the noise. What came out was like a spider/scorpion hybrid out of a Cthulhu novel. Faith wasn't not as scared this time. Perhaps it was adrenaline pumping, but she knew she would not stand around and fight this thing, especially if Alex and Wo were hesitant.
Instead, Faith turned and sprinted past Wo, pushing the girl as she ran,
"Fuck you bitch." She ran to Bart as the creature came forward,
"Don't know about you, but I don't want to stay around and find out what that thing plans to do. Ready to get out of here?" Bart felt his muscles move, as if a puppet master were moving his limbs for him. He was pissed, as his body acted ridiculously, singing and dancing. Oddly enough, it wasn't his own voice that he heard while doing it. Soon enough, Wo was out and in front of him again. Breathing roughly, and ready to yell at the Daemon, he was about to give her hell, when he saw the monster that had made it's way towards them. Deciding his humiliation wasn't worth his head, he nodded as Faith neared him. "
That thing's above our pay grade, let's book it." Having a duty to keep time safe was one thing, suicide was another. He ran back towards the way they came in. He hoped the way through would be straight forward enough, since he couldn't really remember how they got down here in the first place.
Wo's fangs grew in length as she stepped towards the creature. "Lessons not over," Wo mutter under her breath and Alexander gave her a look and nodded. Wo flapped her wings and rose into the air. Her mouth opening as a rush of fire escaped setting the slime on fire and creating a wall between them and the creature. Alexander moved with such speed he turned into a blur. Picking up Bart and tossing him over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. He kept running and stopped the blur in the body room out of the cave and up the stairs. Wo, took a slower method, flying and picking up Faith by the hair on the back of her head. "Watch what you say and who you say it to child. I have been in this plane since before even your dear Miss Evelina knew what she was. You were here to learn a lesson and obviously you haven't." She stopped in the body room and dropped her. The door slamming behind her with a flap of her wing.
"A bitch darling would have left your ass there to be drained by that creature. She would have fed you to it. Don't ever shove what is there to protect from death because trust me child, death comes and that was it. And it comes in many more forms. Things you cannot even see," she said and as she spoke she shifted into Faith, a mirror image of her. "I suggest you adjust your attitude or next time you look in the mirror you won't see this," she said and then shifted again."You'll see this," she said as she appeared as a rotting corpse version of Faith.
Alexander sighed and shook his head, glancing over towards Bart before looking at Faith. "Next time, use your brain. You really think Miss Evelina would turn you over to be killed? If she wanted you dead, all she would have to do is," he said before snapping his fingers."Come on Wo, let's get a drink," he said as he walked over to the door and opened it to head back up to the Club."Think we need to tell Eve she needs to up the stakes next time."
Bart gave a yelp as he was tossed over the mummy's shoulder and moved a speed he'd previously only experienced in the comfort of a car. His head felt dizzy from the sudden motion, but soon enough he was back on the ground. He stumbled for a second, before Wo and Alexandra started lecturing them. He didn't really hear what they were saying though, he was too terrified by the corpses adorning the room. Quickly, he bolted away, not taking the time to reply or process what was being said to him. This was probably the most grotesque thing he'd ever seen in his life, and it was everything he had not to throw up on the spot. He made his way up the stairs only to find the door locked there. With the bodies at least out of sight, he did have a chance to calm himself down, which he took.
Alexander quirked a wiry brow and shook his head. Looking over at Wo he shrugged and started to make his way up the stairs. He figured he leaves the girls to do whatever they would do. Though that might not have been the best choice. As he spotted Bart he slowed his pace. "Take a breath boy, ain't no one gonna hurt anything but your pride around here. Least while Miss Evelina is around," he said as he approached. Reaching the door he pulled out a key and unlocked it, pushing it open and stepping through. "Phil, could use some drinks over here," he yelled as he wandered over to the table where Eve and Golgotha were sitting. He held up his hand before Evelina could say a word. "They ain't ready." There was a raise of the brow from the Emendator as she glanced towards the door.
Faith was probably more embarassed than anything, but really could one blame her? She was thrusted into a world she had not known about, led to some creepy room by a fricken' daemon (whatever the hell that meant, it was probably not good), brought down to the lower levels where corpses rested along with slimy creatures and ones even their captors were not prepared to face, and they were what? Expected to handle that with grace? No, Faith was pissed. She had been looking forward to training with Eve and this is where she put her?
Faith walked into the corpse room and panicked again, seeing the bodies deformed, running like her life depended on it to the other stairs and up. Thankfully, they had unlocked the door already, but upstairs was not much better. Faith could tell disappointment was on the menu and she hated that she played a part. But, she would remain firm. She strolled up along with Bart, feeling something like a kinship with the boy after they had both fell prey to this, and waited for Eve to more than likely chew them out.
Wo made her way back up the stairs and caught up with Alexander. No words were exchanged between Evelina and Wo but they held this intense gaze towards each other. The longer it held to darker the Emendators eyes became, narrowing as her fingers curled into her palms as they rested on the table. Slowly she pushed herself to a standing position and addressed both Alexander and Wo.
I see. Thank you for your time, I apologize for their actions and attitude. It does not represent my feelings towards the Kindred in any way shape or form." Her voice was flat as it always was but as she looked over towards Faith and Bart it was obvious she was displeased.
"Move," she said. A voice cold and angry as she stepped out from her seat and made a beeline for the door. It slammed open as she went through it and then the next, past Freddy who took a step back.
Bartholomew couldn't bring himself to make eye contact with Evelina. He hated failing, and this was the first time he'd failed on one of these training missions. If he messed up here, what did that say about how he'd perform when there're actual stakes on his performance. But above all that, he was legitimately scared of how The Dice would deal with him and Faith. He could tell by the tone of her voice that she was far from happy, and he shuddered a bit at the slam of the door opening. Thinking it wise not to speak, and too scared to do so in the first place, he quietly followed after Evelina, giving a nervous look to Faith, hoping that she was as worried as he was.
And indeed, Faith was just as worried. She had no expected to botch a mission so much as she did today, especially considering she had been looking forward to this for weeks now. She had confidence in her abilities far greater than today showed and she was dissapointed in herself. But she would remain firm. If Eve was going to chastise them she would bear it, but she would not like it. She was not some child that needed to be punished. She was a Paradox, tasked with the sorts of things others couldn't imagine and today's events showed there was more to learn.
Hand lit a cigarette quickly as her feet pounded the pavement, lighting it and nearly destroying it in a single inhilation. The pride, the ego, the self importance, all of it left a foul taste in the Emendators mouth like acid. She could understand it a year ago but a year of training to have not learned the most important lesson, humility, was mind boggling. Evelina stopped by the portal and turned to face them both. There was a darkness about her face, seeming to be covered by shadows as she spoke.
"I do not know where this sense of entitlement comes to either of you but it is disgusting. I owe you nothing. No one does. You were given a second chance at life. A chance to live when you should have died. Hand chosen. Yet that isn't enough. Apparently that makes you feel as if you are better than others. Better than those that were not chosen. Better than those that have survived hundreds and thousands of years. You could have just said thank you. I have never been so disappointed with a group of Paradoxes in my existence.
I brought you here to learn, to train, to handle yourself under pressure. You failed and yet you seem to feel as if that failure is not on you and your flaws but others. How do I know? Neither of you had presented with your second abilities yet. It has been nearly a year. I brought you here to be read. They can do that. Read you. What you are, what abilities lay locked with in you. The eldest of the elders can. Their sight is far stronger than the young ones. They also can read thoughts some of them. So I brought you to to learn, to meet three elders. Some of my oldest acquaintances.
I didn't tell you why because that is not how this works. Because I did not want that knowledge to cloud what you did. To see how you reacted from the heart and from the head. You reacted without caring and spoke without thinking. You are to learn, not to be coddled and made to feel special. You AREN'T! You are worth no more than that prostitute working the corner. Neither am I! None of us are worth more than anyone. The sooner you learn that the better.
You want to know something? I know both your abilities now. Faith yours is Shunting. It is the ability to move life from one to another just be touch. To be able to unlock that you must be able to give yourself in to absorbing from another and then passing it on to the next. You are a wall that refuses to absorb anything but what you want for yourself, selfishly. How many lives could you save if you could just stop being so selfish? Bart, yours is Possession. Like what Wo did to you. To be able to unlock that you must be willing to give into another, wrap your mind around their thoughts and feelings. You cannot control anything if you cannot be willing to understand and accept how others feel. You refuse to accept anything and give nothing. How much pain could you stop if you could just think about others for once?" It was harsh as she spoke but by the time she was done, her face was nearly black with shadow. It was a far more terrifying thing than anything yet and completely unplanned. Turning Evelina moved quickly through the portal. As soon as she was through she stormed towards the house, she needed to calm down before she rolled The Dice again because if she did now, it would be death no matter what.
Faith stood there and took it all. Really, what could she say? She did blow it. Though she was adamant that this whole thing was not entirely their fault, it was in large part due to them. She felt like a child who got caught sneaking cookies after midnight and Faith wanted nothing more than to sulk away, but she knew that Eve's words were right. She had an attitude and while it helped her in some capacity before, it seemed it would not be the case for the rest. She hated the fact she disappointed Eve, but she was disappointed too. She would have to strive better and change some things. First of which was Bart. Once Eve stepped away, Faith touched Bart's arm.
"Hey look. I think you trying to help me back there was...pretty cool. So thank you." After that, she stepped through the portal and towards the house, where she would step into her room, unleash some frustration on a pillow or a wall, and then get back into it.
Bart's face hardened at first, once Eve let them have it, but quickly softened. As he listened to her, he understood she was right. Even after his training with Bella, he still thought that, given he had this newfound duty, he was more important than regular people. He still held himself above others. In his eyes, his life was too important, and nothing scared him more than losing that again. He meekly nodded at Eve when she finished. He hoped that by the time he finished training with Evelina, he might be a better person. He had to be. What shocked him most of all though, was that Faith actually acting like a person for once, and he stood still for a moment as she walked on, and quietly said. "
No prob." He then walked slowly though the portal. He had a lot of thinking to do, he had to learn how he was going to make himself better.
