Jack's Dream (pre-dawn Sun. 4/1/07)

[Detritus]

Still smarting from his extensive burns, Jack falls into a troubled slumber at (to him) some undisclosed location.

At first, Jack hears only the sound of footfalls, perhaps boot heels on pavement. Slowly, an unresolved female form approaches, and as it nears, it resolves into Camille, her stiletto heels clicking in rhythm as she advances towards you. She cuts one of the loveliest figures you've ever set eyes on, either during your breathing days or after your Embrace.

"How far will you go?" she says, and flicks her gaze over your shoulder. You turn, wondering what she could be looking at.

You see Rebekka just as she is about to cut off her finger, the same as had happened a few nights ago for Menachem's psychic sojourn across the Atlantic. Some of her blood spurts from the wound and spatters across your face. Instinctively, you lick your lips when you feel moisture there. The taste is sweet, the taste is strong, the taste is right. You exult as you feel the power of elder vitae course through your veins.

"How far will you go?" Camille says again, and you snap your attention back to her. Beyond her, you see another scene form. Four figures are standing around a table with a golden goblet at its center, and a fifth stands behind one of the figures at the table.

Your perspective suddenly shifts, and you recognize yourself as the one standing just beyond those around the table, looking over Rebekka's left shoulder, with Sabine to your left. You watch as Sabine, standing in the East, reaches up with her right hand, seeming to call lightning to her hand, which she then thrusts inside the goblet. Then Merill, at the South, calls forth a pillar of flame that bolts into the goblet.

Sarah, in the West, raises her arms and liquid begins to condense over the goblet. She continues as the forms of the other three Warlocks appear to desiccate until nothing is left of them but dried out husks. Sarah then pushes the ball of fluid into the goblet with her right palm; her clan mates appearances return to normal after she is done.

Rebekka reaches upward and conjures something, you can't really be sure what, that somehow seems both vast yet imminent. In your mind's eye, it seems like the ritual now takes place at the base of a mountain. Yet, it also appears that there is a small pebble floating above the goblet. After it hangs in the air for a full count to ten, it plops into the goblet. The mental image of the mountain vanishes when the stone makes contact with the liquid.

A glowing dagger then appears in Rebekka's hand. Closing her eyes, she pauses for a moment before gripping the tip of her tongue with her free hand. You watch, revulsion mingled with fascination, as she proceeds to cut out her tongue. Once finished, she burns it to a crisp on the dagger and then drops the ashes into the goblet. She then slides the goblet towards you, and you hear her voice in your mind say, "Drink."

Does Jack drink the contents of the goblet?

(EDIT -- Feel free to add in whatever dialog as seems appropriate with your reply, if you feel it necessary.)

[SD Anderson]

"What's in it?"

<reply?

"Wometimes things dance around when you dream. By any chance did those SOBs at Drake's place drink my blood?"

[Detritus]

"What's in it?"
"Power," you hear in Rebekka's speechless voice, "power to control air, fire, water, and earth. Drink, and it shall be yours."

"Sometimes things dance around when you dream. By any chance did those SOBs at Drake's place drink my blood?"
"I do not know of whom you speak," says Rebekka.

[SD Anderson]

"Power," you hear in Rebekka's speechless voice, "power to control air, fire, water, and earth. Drink, and it shall be yours."

"Nah, nah nahnah nah..." Jack says "The dance was simple. Drink, thirst, heal, hurt, me down cat down, cat need the vitae, cat go me there, left me. Now I'm here. Please say they fed her with some of my vitae. If they did, they're MINE."

Jack starts to focus more.
*

"I do not know of whom you speak," says Rebekka.

"If you don't know who I'm talking of... you're aren't who I think you are."

"What is going on?"


*PIs who wake up after a mickey finn or something simialr have to be both profound and confused. It's in the by laws.

[Detritus]

Jack doesn't get any answers to his questions. When he refuses to drink, the scene with the Tremere simply dissolves away.

You turn, and see someone (http://forum.criticalfumble.net/showpost.php?p=234146&postcount=29) you've never seen before. She blows you a kiss, and as she exhales, a dark liquid flies up from her palm, which burns wherever it makes contact with your skin.

You fall to your knees in agony, and instinctively cover your face with your hands. The pain abates somewhat after a short time, and when you lower your hands again, Camille stands before you, holding the golden goblet. She dips her fingers into it and then flicks them towards you, and the drops that splash on your face are like balm.

"How far will you go?" she asks, and extends the goblet towards you.

Jack may take the goblet and drink, or try the trick that Camille just did, refuse the goblet, or whatever else comes to mind that seems appropriate.

[SD Anderson]

"Who was the kiss blowing bimbo?" Jack asks Camille.

[Detritus]

"Who was the kiss blowing bimbo?" Jack asks Camille.
"Do you not know?"

[SD Anderson]

"Do you not know?" It was time to answer a question with a question directly. "Would I have asked otherwise?"

"Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?"

If another fade out occurs and Kiss Miss return, Jack is leaping at her and fully intends to rip her face off her head.

[Detritus]

It was time to answer a question with a question directly. "Would I have asked otherwise?"

"Who? What? When? Where? How? Why?"

If another fade out occurs and Kiss Miss return, Jack is leaping at her and fully intends to rip her face off her head.
"If you do not know, then neither do I," says Camille. "The dream is yours, not mine. I am you, not me."

She then holds the goblet towards you.

[SD Anderson]

Jack takes the goblet and sniffs.

Jack's player has this idea the reply will be something akin to a wine reviewer's description about hints of apples and chocalte, but then I've been on the phone with my DSL tech support most of the evening so I'm not too far away from Jack's Dream state.

[Detritus]

Jack takes the goblet and sniffs.

Jack's player has this idea the reply will be something akin to a wine reviewer's description about hints of apples and chocalte, but then I've been on the phone with my DSL tech support most of the evening so I'm not too far away from Jack's Dream state.
Close. ;)

The contents smell like blood and ashes. The goblet is cool to the touch, yet it is a chill that burns, faintly. There is no question that you hold an extremely potent potable in your hands right now, yet you feel no particular compulsion either to drink it or not.

After your consideration of the goblet and its contents, you look up and find that you are alone.

[SD Anderson]

Close. ;)

The contents smell like blood and ashes. The goblet is cool to the touch, yet it is a chill that burns, faintly. There is no question that you hold an extremely potent potable in your hands right now, yet you feel no particular compulsion either to drink it or not.

After your consideration of the goblet and its contents, you look up and find that you are alone.

Jack tips the glass a little bit levels it and runs his finger along the film of fluid left behind.

[Detritus]

The "icy-hot" effect is even more pronounced when the fluid comes into contact with your skin. After a few seconds, there is a mild local anesthetic effect, and for an instant your vision swims and then darkens. When you can once again see normally, Rebekka stands before you.

"There is a time for caution, and a time for decisive action. Can you tell which is which?"

[SD Anderson]

"There is a time for most things. Destroying maniacs like those clowns will take up a lot of it." Jack knocks the drink back like it was 20 year old Canadian.

Now, what the fuck is going on here?

[Detritus]

"There is a time for most things. Destroying maniacs like those clowns will take up a lot of it." Jack knocks the drink back like it was 20 year old Canadian.

Now, what the fuck is going on here?
After drinking the cup, Jack feels a little chill in his stomach. The chill spreads along your body and also moves front to back, as if you were impaled upon the point of a glacier that slowly moves through you, leaving innumerable changes in its wake.

You find suddenly that the goblet has turned into a bracelet, and a golden chain leads to one of Rebekka's hands. She tries to pull you towards her, and you resist with all your might, your arm curling upwards slightly with the effort.

Scenes flash by in the periphery of your vision.

You see a wild-eyed Samantha Drake crawl out of a grave. Leo speaks with one of his clan mates in a shadowy locale. Jocelin chases Heather at full speed and abruptly stops. You both watch as Heather jumps through a bonfire, and then a second figure makes a leap through the flames, the figure of Antoinette.

You find yourself performing a ritual with Rebekka and her subordinates, exactly sure of your role but not knowing how you came by the knowledge. Then a giant, yet perfectly-proportioned golden-haired woman shelters you in her arms. An instant later, she uses you to ward off a blow from an unseen foe. Time seems to slow to a crawl as the moment of impact nears.

You once again find yourself in the tug-of-war you are having with Rebekka, just before the blow can strike. After a short while, she seems to tire of the game and lets go of the chain. Your arm swiftly curls upward and you smack yourself in the forehead. Your head shatters with the blow, and then you wake up in an unfamiliar, dimly lit room. A female voice speaks.

"Good, I thought it was about time for you to waken," says the golden-haired woman from your dream.

[SD Anderson]

"Now, anyone here want to explain what I've been going through?"

"This process is called 'answering' by the way. It usually involves one or more of the following questions: "

"Who, what, when, where, how and why. Feel free to assume any appropriate ones have been asked."

[Detritus]

"Now, anyone here want to explain what I've been going through?"

"This process is called 'answering' by the way. It usually involves one or more of the following questions: "

"Who, what, when, where, how and why. Feel free to assume any appropriate ones have been asked."
"I was hoping you could answer some of my questions," the golden-haired woman (http://forum.criticalfumble.net/showpost.php?p=234131&postcount=28) says, "but I suppose they can wait a bit longer."

You hear a clacking sound from your other side. It is painful to turn your head, but when you do, you see another woman (http://forum.criticalfumble.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1637&d=1226041539) draw near.

"Such cheek, Gwynnis, you should not stand for it."

"Peace, Bonnie," Gwynnis says without taking her eyes off you, "he has been through perils that few survive to speak of.

"Of your immediate condition," she says to you, "I can only say that you had an unfortunate encounter with an Assamite. The most skilled of their clan can lace their spittle with their vitae and make it into a potent and far-reaching venom. You were, and remain, seriously injured.

"Three nights have passed since your encounter. Your traveling companions from Dallas required the attention of the Tremere. They are at the haven of a local Kindred -- Sabine, if I remember correctly. One of my agents is there as well."

Giving you no more than a few seconds to assimilate what she has told you, Gwynnis asks: "Can you tell me what happened when you went to visit Miss Drake?"

[SD Anderson]

"I was hoping you could answer some of my questions," the golden-haired woman (http://forum.criticalfumble.net/showpost.php?p=234131&postcount=28) says, "but I suppose they can wait a bit longer."

You hear a clacking sound from your other side. It is painful to turn your head, but when you do, you see another woman (http://forum.criticalfumble.net/attachment.php?attachmentid=1637&d=1226041539) draw near.

"Such cheek, Gwynnis, you should not stand for it."

"Peace, Bonnie," Gwynnis says without taking her eyes off you, "he has been through perils that few survive to speak of.

"Of your immediate condition," she says to you, "I can only say that you had an unfortunate encounter with an Assamite. The most skilled of their clan can lace their spittle with their vitae and make it into a potent and far-reaching venom. You were, and remain, seriously injured.

"Three nights have passed since your encounter. Your traveling companions from Dallas required the attention of the Tremere. They are at the haven of a local Kindred -- Sabine, if I remember correctly. One of my agents is there as well."

Giving you no more than a few seconds to assimilate what she has told you, Gwynnis asks: "Can you tell me what happened when you went to visit Miss Drake?"

"Probably. You won't mind if I check in with the Prince of Dallas first, do you? If he clears it I'll answer away."

[Detritus]

"Probably. You won't mind if I check in with the Prince of Dallas first, do you? If he clears it I'll answer away."
Bonnie emits a tutting sound that reeks with disapproval of your effrontery, and Gwynnis raises her eyebrows a fraction in evident surprise.

"I do not think Jürgen will mind if you tell me first," she says.

[SD Anderson]

Bonnie emits a tutting sound that reeks with disapproval of your effrontery, and Gwynnis raises her eyebrows a fraction in evident surprise.

"I do not think Jürgen will mind if you tell me first," she says.

"He may not. [i]I[i] however subscribe to a code of professional ethics. And those ethics say rather clearly I clear this with my client." Jack says with some finality.

[Detritus]

"He may not. [i]I[i] however subscribe to a code of professional ethics. And those ethics say rather clearly I clear this with my client." Jack says with some finality.
Gwynnis shakes her head at Bonnie, a gesture of forbearance.

"Give him his phone, Bonnie," says Gwynnis. You think she might be hiding a smile as she speaks.

Bonnie leaves the room, a stream of what sounds like florid curses in French coming from her.

"A beautiful language, is it not?" asks Gwynnis, who then raises her voice to say something in French to Bonnie.

When Bonnie returns, she flings something at you and says, "Catch!"

You react instinctively, and catch the object. It stings a little when it makes contact with your hands. You recognize what's left of your phone, which looks about as bad as you feel, and has obviously been subjected to the same treatment that your body suffered in the attack by your Assamite assailant. The phone is lifeless when you open it.

Just then, Bonnie lays a heavy hand on your shoulder. It is quite painful. Another stream of curses in French leaves her lips.

"This would be where I say that I cannot control her when she gets angry like this, but that is simply not true. I have quite good control over her, I simply choose not to exert it for the moment. Make your call," says Gwynnis, and for the first time, a hint of an edge appears in her words. You also think you detect a gleam in her eye that suggests she might be enjoying herself rather more than she's letting on.

[SD Anderson]

Jack hit's speed dial

Anything happen?

[Detritus]

Jack hit's speed dial

Anything happen?
No, nothing. The phone is dead.

[SD Anderson]

"Cute. Let me explain it to you again. I don't know either of you from Adam. I don't tell total strangers things that are supposed to be confidential. Unless I get the authorization to speak, I'm not."

"Now, you're clearly elders, you're 5th, maybe even 4th, she's 7th or possibly 6th. But whether you're Sabbat elders or part of the folks I'm affiliated with is something I don't know. A working phone in my hands is the quickest way to settle this. Otherwise, I'm going to be very stubborn."

"If you want to take a lot of time, break out the hot irons now. If you're in a hurry, give me a phone."

[Detritus]

"Cute. Let me explain it to you again. I don't know either of you from Adam. I don't tell total strangers things that are supposed to be confidential. Unless I get the authorization to speak, I'm not."

"Now, you're clearly elders, you're 5th, maybe even 4th, she's 7th or possibly 6th. But whether you're Sabbat elders or part of the folks I'm affiliated with is something I don't know. A working phone in my hands is the quickest way to settle this. Otherwise, I'm going to be very stubborn."

"If you want to take a lot of time, break out the hot irons now. If you're in a hurry, give me a phone."
Gwynnis composes her features into an expression of mock consternation before she replies.

"Ah, you're going to be stubborn if you don't get what you want. I must confess, in a millennium and a half of existence, I've never encountered that tactic before. Whatever shall I do?"

"Perhaps you should send him to bed without supper," suggests Bonnie.

Gwynnis purses her lips and strokes her chin.

"You may be on to something there, Bonnie, but let's try one more thing first."

Gwynnis gives another order in French. You think you hear the name "Jürgen" somewhere in there. Bonnie leaves the room again. Gwynnis produces a nail file from somewhere in her suit jacket and idly begins to give herself a manicure until Bonnie's return.

When Bonnie does return, she has someone slung over her right shoulder in a fireman's carry. Whoever it is is pretty tall. Despite being overbalanced by her burden, Bonnie somehow manages to project an air of elegance as she approaches. She unceremoniously deposits her load on the floor near the side of your bed. You immediately recognize Jürgen Strauss, Prince of Dallas, and see a wooden stake protruding from his sternum.

"If you truly desire Jürgen's consent before answering my questions, I see three things you must do in order to secure it. You may try to bring them to pass at your leisure. Or, you may stop your test of the depths of my patience and stubbornness and proceed without his permission. The choice is yours."

[Detritus]

OOC - Incidentally, Jack has 28 aggravated damage right now. I'm going to rule that the extra 12 he took in ape form went away with his transformation back into his human form, but that still leaves him at -HT for aggravated damage.

[SD Anderson]

"Well that's an overly complicated way to answer my question. If you had his consent, you wouldn't have bothered with all this crap. You're likely Sabbat, regardless, you're definitely the enemy."

Jack burns every bit of blood he's got on DR, pushing it hopefully to the point where he'll burn body as well as blood (no idea if this works) primary goal: Torporeal state - purpose deny them what they demand. If this can't be achieved he'll be Frenzied due to the absence of blood. primary goal: Hurt them, hurt them bad. Drink them. Purpose: force them to deny themselves what they seek, most likely by killing Jack to defend themselves.

(ooc: the 'convenience' of 'just happening' to have Strauss staked and in the next room, makes ME, not Jack, suspect Lucien's doing a bit of illusion magic.)

[Detritus]

You lash out in a rage at Gwynnis. Bonnie steps over Prince Strauss's body and knocks you over your bed with contemptuous ease. Knocked off your balance but undamaged, you prepare to make another lunge at Gwynnis.

Rising for the first time, Gwynnis speaks. In your rage, you aren't sure what she says, but it sounds something like, "OK, I think I've learned everything I need to know. Time to wake up now."

Just as you reach her, she dodges with a serpentine grace that would put Jocelin to shame. In one fluid motion, she pivots smartly and lands a precise blow at the base of your skull. Your ears start to ring.

Your eyes pop open but you have difficulty seeing anything other than a blurry haze. The ringing in your ears begins to subside as your vision slowly comes to focus.

"Honestly, Jürgen, where do you find them?" you hear a voice from your dream ask.

You hear a deep, familiar voice reply.

"It is true that he has certain weaknesses, Gwynnis, but I believe he has much to recommend of himself."

"Perhaps you are right, Jürgen. I suppose he is not in much of a condition to display his strengths."

As your vision and hearing finally return to normal, you see Prince Strauss standing between two women near the side of your bed, the women from your most recent dream.

"Hello, Jack. May I introduce, Gwynnis, Justicar of Clan Toreador," he says, gesturing towards the golden-haired woman to his left, "and her associate, Bonnie."

"You dance divinely," Bonnie says with a little smile.

"For the moment, you need not answer any questions. We will answer such questions as you have as best we can," says Prince Strauss. "A little civility would suit you now, given the result of your last mission," he says.

[SD Anderson]

"Trap." Jack says.

<Strauss replies or the other two react.>

[Detritus]

Prince Strauss closes his eyes and shakes his head. Gwynnis smiles, perhaps with a touch of patronization, you can't be sure.

"Your loyalty and caution are admirable, and your hardiness beyond any question, but your judgment leaves somewhat to be desired," she says.

She then closes her eyes, and you suddenly find yourself reliving another of your recent memories, one your dreams didn't cover. Your astral sojourn across the Atlantic flashes rapidly before your eyes, up until the point when you see Delbert's attacker gloating over Mme. Desmoulins. Then the unfamiliar face you saw then resolves into the familiar one of Samantha Drake.

"That was a clever trick, but it seems not to have entered your or any of your fellow investigators' minds that the memory might have been altered. Another Kindred in the link familiar with the tricks of the Piercing Gaze would have been very helpful, I suspect."

Gwynnis then lets out a sigh, and continues.

"There is nothing to be done about it now," she says, and then she moves to the head of the bed, Bonnie and Prince Strauss now to her left.

"Yes, Jack, you are in a trap, but it is not one I, nor anyone else in this room, have fashioned."

She then turns to Prince Strauss and says, "I will want to confirm our reading with the other investigators from Dallas, but I am virtually certain it is correct. You have until Easter, Jürgen, to get your man into a fit state to present his testimony before Conclave. Unless, of course, you wish for me to give it in his stead," she says, and gives you a knowing look.

Gwynnis turns on the spot and leaves the room without another word. Bonnie says, "Au revoir, Jürgen," and then follows her mistress out, leaving you alone with Prince Strauss.

After watching the women leave, Prince Strauss gives his head a quick shake and turns to you.

"I would not worry about their manner. It is simply the Toreador way, and Gwynnis is long used to commanding rooms full of Kindred who are themselves leaders of our kind. I believe you made a good impression, overall. The Justicar is correct that few of our kind would make it through an encounter with such a potent Assamite attacker, especially those not blessed with the gifts of Sight that her clan and mine receive.

"But, there will be time for that later," he says. "You are very badly injured. Thomas and Merill are downstairs with Lazarus. I will send one of them up with vitae. Try to rest, and to gather your concentration the best you are able. It will help with the recovery process if you can push your limits to heal your burns. It will go slowly, but we will do our best to keep you fed."

Prince Strauss then leaves the room to send up one of his underlings.

[Detritus]

I'm bumping the thread just to signify that the retcon is complete, and the thread now over.

[SD Anderson]

If this thread is over, where do I post?

[Detritus]

If this thread is over, where do I post?
*All* the current threads are pretty much done. I haven't gotten around to starting new ones. Please bear with me here.

If you really want to post something here, feel free. Jack has a lot of recovery from severe burns to get through, however. I was thinking to move ahead a few days, when he would be in a more fit state to do something besides lie around and heal.