City of IF

DeadManWalking · Posted: Mon Jun 02, 2008 6:09 pm Post subject:

I like Ds.

Although how would that explain that Maxis is higher in rank then Travis?

cuz that's what it seemed to me.

or perhaps Travis fed on Maxis not long after he first became a vampire, and since then he has been something of a recluse?

While Maxis has been scrabbling for power and glory.

huh.

I like this idea.

scissorkitty · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 791 Location: Bottom of a teapot

I think Travis somehow Made Maxis, and then found a way to sever the bond. The other vampires in the Council are trying some sort of experiment to see how that was done, trying to intentionally get Travis to Turn other people, and then see how he deals with the bond. This is why it was no big deal for Travis to "steal" Gunner. Maxis is bitter, because he felt abandoned by Travis, and also jealous. The fancy knife is thought to be somehow instrumental in the "severing" process. Probably symbolically.

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Only one problem with the Travis making Maxis idea. Maxis is considerably older than Travis. Prince isn't just a power title afterall...*grins*

Other than that...I love your twisted brains. Keep the ideas coming.

scissorkitty · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 791 Location: Bottom of a teapot

Hmm.. so he can't have made Maxis. Hmmm...

what if they shared someone in common? Like... Maxis made someone, who later made Travis, and then somehow Travis found a way to sever the bond between Maxis and the.. whoever it is.. and that's the cause of the bad blood? I just really like my "evil knife as symbolic severing tool" idea.

Or maybe Maxis is old and crypt-y and nasty, and is just jealous of Travis and his abundant hair and good looks?

LordoftheNight · Joined: 11 Aug 2005 Posts: 5251 Location: Hell

Could Maxis have made Travis then? And then throw in a bunch of the other ideas?

DeadManWalking · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2008 3:56 pm Post subject:

Perhaps Maxis Made Travis and Travis defied him in something?

scissorkitty · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 791 Location: Bottom of a teapot

Wow.. I've heard of bad news running in threes.. but SG suggestions? hee hee :P

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

My but you're all enjoying this. I may have to put a poll up soon before the nefariousness overwhelms me. *evil grin*

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Okay, so I put up the poll anyway...never know when I'll get back around to it...

DeadManWalking · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 6:59 am Post subject:

I just couldn't help going for all of the above.

After all, the more motive to kill him the better right?

Tipico · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 92

man i love this sg

Lilith · Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 4:28 pm Post subject:

Hehehehe.. sorry Rai, I must've started a trend with my vote.

*winks and then flies off before Rai roasts her and pulls her wings off*

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Okay boys, girls, and things that go bump in the day...a new chappy is brewing even as we speak. I should have it done for you day after tomorrow, maybe tomorrow if I get the time to sneak down here.

Til then...suffer...*grins*

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Alrighty, here it is, hope it tides you over. Enjoy!
------------------------

Chapter Seven: Hate Me Today

Travis was silent for a minute, listening to the tone in Mia's voice. When he finally spoke, his own voice was quiet, subdued, dangerous. "You mean you know why he wants to kill me now. He's got many, many reasons to want me dead Mia. But only now does he decide that I'm a stain that needs removing."

"This has very little to do with what happened two centuries ago Travis. If you think Maxis still harbors that against you-"

"Wouldn't you Mai? I made him look like a fool, took from him that which was his by blood. And then I walked out and rubbed his nose in it by signing on with a rival. Oh trust me, he hates me now more than ever. But while my continued existance galls him I've never been of great concern. We both know that in a fair fight, or even an unfair one, Maxis has me pegged. He's stronger, older, and holds more power than I'll ever amass. Yet now you tell me it's something new that's put a bee in his bonnet. Tell me Mai...what have I done?"

There was a long silence that Travis was all too familiar with. The kind of silence one only got from Mai when she was weighing how much of the truth to tell. And that meant it was one of her many schemes gone wrong. "Mai...just tell me." He hissed.

"The Council has been meeting for nearly three years without Maxis, trying to decide what to do about him. Surely you've heard the rumors of his...activities. If not it won't take more than a few inquiries to learn of them, I don't have time to elaborate just now. But suffice it to say that we consider him no longer welcome on the Council and have decided that he must be replaced."

Suddenly Travis knew where she was going. "Not me Mai, oh hell no woman have you lost your mind! In all our long association I don't believe that I've ever believed you stupid, called you a fool. Well I'm saying it now...you fool."

"Actually Travis, it wasn't I who pled your case. Jakart was most eloquent pleeding your cause, your elevation. And his points were most vaild. You have amassed quite a bit of power for one so young, you've talents none of the rest of us possess. You're skilled, you can sort memories and gain from them better than those five times your age. You see value in every memory, not just those that seem to have value. You're very popular amoung the others, look how they flock to your territory, a small parcel of land at that. You're fair, just, and-"

"I don't want a Council seat Mai. I won't be able to hold it." His words were hissed between his clenched fangs, hands fisted to white knuckles.

"And perhaps that is the greatest reason of all. Because you don't want the power we're choosing you. We don't want someone who's going to become another Maxis...we want someone to replace him. Someone totally opposite him. You."

"Well Mai...it seems I've got to go fill out a Will. I'll be in touch soon."

"Travis-"

He cut the connection, not caring to hear any more of her persuasions. He powered his laptop down and shut it, sliding it across the table lest he be tempted to do something rash and foolish. Like compose and E-mail to the other Council memebers saying he'd rather not have his head mounted in a glass case while his body was placed in a chained coffin filled with salt at the bottom of the Mariana's Trench. Knowing Maxis, that was exactly how he'd end up if he continued with this mad scheme.

Odysseus stretched, hopped off his lap, and curled up in the sunny spot of the shops window. Travis, having changed from his 'modern body armor' and into his favorite pair of paint spattered jeans, walked over to where a six pack of Coke was resting in a mini-mart bag. Pulling the tab on a can, he'd taken one swig when he was suddenly aware of people walking up the stairs from the back. Swirling the contents of his can, he grinned wryly as Shelly's thoughts swirled into his perception. She was in for a bit of a shock.
----------------------------

Shelly climbed the stairs ahead of Greg, not wanting to look back and desperately craving the sunlight that filtered down from above. She needed to feel clean again, if that were even possible, and she figured that finding a way out of the shop was the best idea. The master keys were nowhere in sight and Shelly figured the vampires must have them wherever they'd gone. "Dammit," She swore again. "I could kill you for this Greg."

"Pick a number, get in line." He muttered sullenly, thumping up the steps behind her. "How many times can I say 'sorry'?"

"Not enough." Shelly succiently replied, turning around to look at him as she reached the top of the stairs. "In fact there's not a whole lot you can do to make up with me. Right now, I want to find a way out of this shop and a nice sunny spot to sit in. Preferrably with a cross made of garlic clutched in my hands."

Greg opened his mouth to say something but she didn't give him the chance, storming across the storeroom and through the beaded curtain...where she stopped dead. The vampire, Travis, the one that had bitten her, was sitting in one of the plushy chairs with a Coke in one hand and a book across his lap. Worst of all, he was bathed in golden sunlight.

She jumped at Greg put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. "I was going to say that sunlight's not going to help you. Not sure about the crosses and garlic."

"Crosses, or holy emblems in general, I've only had a problem with when they're weilded by those who actually believe in their power. Which doesn't happen a whole lot. As for garlic, I don't have many uses for it but it's hardly a deterrant."

Travis's voice was low and mellow, the laughter in it easily evident. Bright red patches appeared on Shelly's cheeks as she glared at Greg. What else was he not telling her.

"He doesn't exactly know that much Ms. Vengate. He only realized we existed a little less than," he glanced at his watch, "sixteen hours ago. And it will come as a relife for you to know I'm hardly the average representative of my kind."

Shelly's eyes narrowed. "Did you just read my mind?" Fear forgotten she marched over to where the vampire sat and glared at him with hands on hips. "Did you just read my mind!"

He looked up at her, sunlight dancing in his hazel eyes. "No. I don't 'read' minds. I cannot tell you exactly what you are thinking when you are thinking it. I cannot repeat, word for word, what is running through your minds. I can, however, get the gist of it. Like hearing music through a brick wall. You can tell what kind of music it is, but not the exact song or the words to it."

"But you still read my mind."

He smiled slightly, returning his gaze to his book. "If you insist on calling it that I won't disagree although you may soon meet others you can rest assured can read your mind to the fullest. That's not my talent."

Shelly snorted. Reading minds wasn't his talent, bullshit. He was psychic somehow, maybe that just came with being a blood-sucking fiend.

"I'm hardly a demon. Take that from somebody who's had the horrifying experience of meeting one."

Greg gaped. "Demons are real too?" He looked like he was going to faint again and Shelly couldn't blame him. Demons?

"Yes demons are real. As are the fair folk, the elder races, werewolves, ghosts, wights, ectoplasmic folk of all kinds and...well I don't think I need to go on." He turned the page carefully and bookmarked it. He took another swallow of Coke and smiled at her obvious puzzelment. "I'm not going to bother explaining everything now. You'd go into information overload and not process half of what I told you. If my condition has taught me anything, it would be paitence."

Condition? Like and illness? A disease? Is that how he considered it? Like he wasn't some monster from...wherever but that he was just sick? Obviously being a vampire made you mental.

"At the risk of reading your mind again yes, I do believe vampirisim is a disease. Like a magical STD if you will."

"TMI." Shelly said almost gagging. "I don't need to know about your...habits...although I'm sure Greg does." She glared at him, unable to resist the spiteful barb. Greg flushed, slumping into a chair and pretending to ignore the world.

Travis snorted. "Not what I was meaning. You catch an STD by sleeping around, not being careful with either practice or partners. Vampirisim probably resulted the same way. Somebody dabbling in magic, not taking time to make sure they were doing everything right, not heeding warnings that were obviously given. Because trust me, as much as people think we're evil, demons laugh their asses off at us every damn time. They are evil..."

His voice trailed away as he reached for another Coke, tossing his empty can into the garbage. It didn't matter that the can was small, more than thirty feet away, and behind the counter. The soft thud of the aluminum hitting the plastic was audible in the silence. He smiled at Shelly's obvious shock. "That was nothing."

"Some nothing."

He grinned again, extending a can to both of them. "Now, there are some things we need to get straight. I've taken blood from you, not altogether willingly either. I feel extremely guilty about that, by the way, and would like to make it up to you. So ask."

"Ask what."

Travis smiled charmingly. "Anything."
-----------------------------------

Well folks, here's a chance to really get to know your vampire and the world he lives in. As well as set a course for our unlikely band of protagonists. Any questions YOU would like to have answered, feel free to ask them.
----------------------------------

I really hope you enjoyed this.

DeadManWalking · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 9:10 pm Post subject:

hmmmm...

well...

no...

yeah, I have no idea what to ask.

But i do think this is awesome.

Keep up the good work.

Advarr · Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2008 10:45 pm Post subject:

I don't think it ever explained quite how Travis bacame a vampire....did it?

Anyway, that would be my first question, then in order:
2.) What was his childhood like?
3.) What are you going to do??
4.) Why the hell was I involved?

Loved the chapter, the ideas all fit into place and everything.

X.x

Your Faithful Reader,
Varr

Tipico · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 92

um to me the immediate response would be "will i become a vamp"

cot a lot of people think that its i bite and bobs yer uncle yer a dirty great thing of the night,

but that is kinda obvious, hey! they met before haven't they? what about something to do with the art or why Greg did not get et?

absolutely lovin it

scissorkitty · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 791 Location: Bottom of a teapot

Travis said that he's "hardly a representative of his kind" or whatever.. so maybe Shelley could ask WHAT a "representative" would be like then, and how does Travis differ? And why?

and then ask for a beer or something to calm her nerves. Perhaps something kinky, like alcohol dulling the mind in a way that Travis CAN'T pick up thoughts could be discovered...

Lilith · Posted: Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:04 pm Post subject:

But... Rai.... this DP is a repeat.... ... Travis did this to Greg earlier.. You're slipping.

D-Lotus · Joined: 21 Oct 2004 Posts: 4121 Location: Hollywood, USA

Quote: pleeding your cause

Pleeding? There were a few other typos as well.

Quote: His voice trailed away as he reached for another Coke, tossing his empty can into the garbage. It didn't matter that the can was small, more than thirty feet away, and behind the counter.

Here, it seems as though the Coke can is what is thirty feet away, when in reality you are talking about the garbage can. Make that clear.

As for the DP, Shelly should find out what the hell is going to happen to her, whether she is going to become a vampire or not, etc... And why is Travis drinking coke? I thought he only drank blood. Maybe they should ask him that, too.

Tipico · Joined: 24 May 2008 Posts: 92

criky oh rilly lith is correct this dp is a repeat! i demand a refund!

ashkent · Posted: Sat Jun 14, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject:

OK, I've read this one from start to finish in one go. I can see the defects that sir wax has pointed out, and the other comments about some parts of the writing not being as clear as it could be, but hey, it happens. The main thing is the story, and so far this one is pretty damn decent.

I missed the poll, but I would just say that all of those reasons together seem somewhat excessive...it's a bit like in medical dramas where someone falls from a ladder, lands on a gas heater which topples over and rolls down the road only to come to rest outside a firework factory as it explodes and the falling debris of the gas canister lands back on the head of the bloke who fell off the ladder a few hundred yards away. You get the idea.

Anyway, looking forward to more.

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Actually the DP is not a repeat. That DP had you asking the questions limited by the fact they had to be from Greg's point of view.

This time I wanted YOU to ask the questions. Things you really wanted to know, things that had been bugging you. Because honestly...Travis has most of the answers. Those he doesn't cannot be revealed at this time.

And we needed just one more conversation before more action happened or else you'd get all tired of the fight scenes.

Glad you're liking it guys, I'm having fun writing it.

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Okay the poll's up and I'll probably run it short...unless you want to wait another week for chapter eight?

Phantomfan · Posted: Tue Jun 24, 2008 1:27 pm Post subject:

Rai, this is flippin awesome!!!!

Just caught up with this finally, and I just wanted to say that it's fantastic!

If the request for questions is still open, I have to agree with Advarr. The background of Travis becoming a vampire would be pretty interesting. (I apoligize if it has been explained already)

Thanks for writing a fantastic story!!!

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Wanted: A tie breaking vote. If any readers out there happen to possess one I'd appriciate their assistance greatly. Without it the story cannot move forward.

Sincerely,

A very sick dragon...*sniffle/snort/wheeze*

algu95 · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 12:25 pm Post subject:

Granted. Want somethin' else? Or can I go back to indulge in the Sin of Sloth now, in my Dark and Twisted Lair?

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Alrighty then, it's time to pry into the mystery of who is Travis. Enjoy!
---------------------------

Chapter Eight: A Bloody Tale

Shelly shook her head. "Melodromatic arn't we? I mean what if I asked you something stupid..."

"You mean like how many cups of sugar does it take to get to the moon?" Travis asked with ill contained mirth.

"I thought you weren't going to read my mind anymore."

"It's not something I can turn off." He said with a shrug. "Still, my offer stands."

Shelly swirled her half full can of Coke. "I don't suppose you..." she broke off as Travis reached into the bag by his legs and pulled out a brown paper bag. Inside the bag was a brand new bottle of Jack and he tipped a generous portion into her can.

"I've got a friend coming who can't live without his whisky." His chuckle was warm as he returned the bottle to it's resting place and reclaimed his own soft drink. "Before you ask no, I don't drink. I also don't smoke, I don't do drugs, I'm clean."

Greg snorted. "As if a blood test would find anything out of the ordinary with you."

Travis smiled. "Oh it would. I've no wish for anybody to run labwork on me. Then everybody would want me dead...or yes Shelly they might discover my secrets."

With the warm blood of liquor in her belly, Shelly didn't even bother getting angery at him. She swirled her drink again, staring musingly into the can, her thoughts swirling just as gently. "So Travis, what made you what you are?"

The sudden tension in the room was as tight as a guitar string and Shelly looked up into suddenly cold hazel eyes. There was something in them that suggested shock, she hadn't known what she was going to ask, or hadn't been thinking about it, but now the question was out in the open. And Shelly had no doubts that Travis knew exactly what she meant by it.

He scowled. "I was born on a farm in upstate New York, don't ask where I don't know. It was early July, midsummer, the hottest months of the year. I was the third child, second son, of my father and mother. I worked the farm, just like my elder brother Edmund, and grieved just like the rest of my family when my elder sister Paitence died at the age of five. I was four. My mother had four more children in the next five years but only my younger brother Joseph survived beyond childhood. It took a toll on my mother. She tired quickly, had less energy, and relations between her and my father grew strained.

Then, one winter when I was ten, my father sickened and passed before spring. My brothers and I couldn't work the farm alone so my mother pressed the preacher into sending word to her sister in Phildelphia, who was a widow and had expressed concern before. We sold the farm and moved to live with her. By the time we arrived my mother was heavily pregnant with her seventh and final child. She died giving birth to my sister Hope, who didn't last four months.

My brothers and I, at our aunts insistance we were apprenticed to learn various trades. Edmund became a cooper, Joseph a wheelwright, and I was to become a ferrier."

"A what?" Shelly interrupted.

"I worked with horses. I forged their shoes and shod them." He smiled slightly. "Growing up in Phildelphia was far easier than life on the farm. It was a city and things were always going on. My master was harsh but fair and I really do enjoy working with equines, well animals period. I had my eye on the baker's daughter, Anna, and could drink my share of ale and hold my own in a fight. I went hunting when I could and, shock and surprise, owned my own rifle.

Then things started happening. Riots. Speeches. I was young and foolish so I joined the Continental army and marched off to war. It ended badly as you might imagine. It was the eleventh of September, seventeen seventy-seven. I was twenty-two years old and had buried my elder brother and more friends than I cared to count. The Battle of the Brandywine, as it's known. I was by the guns when a British shot took out my left knee.

They mistook my inability to run as an unwillingness and as a result, bayonetted me on their way past. Their aim was off and instead of a quick end they left me to bleed to death." His smile was bitter as he stared out the window at the sun.

"I don't know how many hours I was there. I couldn't move, there were a couple bodies on top of me, and I was face down in ground that had long ago become mud. It took everything I had just to keep breathing. I didn't have any illusions about surviving but when I heard people speaking French, I'd heard Frechmen before, I had to call out."

He paused for a moment before looking back at them, his gaze inhumanly intense. "I never wanted to live forever. I just didn't want to die face down in the mud. But in calling out to those voice I made an error. I thought they were men...they were not.

My head was suddenly yanked out of the mud, a fist in my hair, and a man was staring at me. He was gorgeous, Raphelite in his beauty, a Renassance sculpture with Satan's own smile. I would learn later that his name was Renault and at that moment all he wanted to do was kill me. But the older man stopped him, lifted the bodies off of me, and pulled my head into his lap.

He told me 'Your beauty is exquisit. Even now, at it's end, covered in filth and the fluids of failed lives, it calls to me. You are a work of art and you shall be preserved.' His idea of preservation was to infect me with his disease, to make me a vampire."

Travis closed his eyes for a moment, quelling the slight trembling of his hands, and when he opened them again it was as if he was not there. His words were a monotone, his eyes sightless. "For thirty years did I serve Henri DeCirque. He owned me, his blood allowing him to command me to his every whim. And I, as his Child, was forced to do everything my Maker, my Master, demanded of me.

When your body is not always your own, you have to hold tightly to your soul, your spirit, your mind. My Maker broke me early and one night I could take no more. As dawn approached, as all bedded down, I left the safety of the deep underground and walked out into the garden. There I stood and watched the sunrise...and I did not die. That happening, that strange and mind-altering experience, was enough to reforge my will. I vowed to become the weapon that would kill my Maker. It took me years, years of silent practice. Of sacrifices and more beatings than ever. Of horrible deeds done by me and to me. Until I saw my oppertunity and was able to seize the moment.

Henri had fallen out of favor with the Black Court and it's Prince some years before and was using the Seventh Year Ball to repair apperances. He planned on giving the Prince a gift that would show both his loyalty and his value." Travis's blank look broke and he gave a nasty grin. "He planned on giving him me.

I was taken to the Prince's private chambers and instructed to wait. I was not alone long, the Prima arrived to see me. Her name was Lily and she was as cold as ice, she had to be to survive in that court, to be consort to that Prince. If I was to become the latest courtier then I must be evaluated. She meant to bite me, to take my Essence and gain power over me. I took hers instead. It was the first time I had any idea how fast I was, could be, taking her throat before she could take mine. Her power was glorious and amazing, far beyond anything I'd ever dealt with before. It gave me the strength I needed for when my Maker arrived.

He was shocked for a moment, to see the Prima fading and I growing stronger..."

"So you killed him too." Greg said, looking more than faintly sick.

"Oh no. Lily I left alive, nearly drained of blood but alive. Henri I drained to the last drop. This did not endear me to the Prince. I was forced to flee, hiding amongst the retinue of another vampire Prima from the far east. Her name was Mai Lien and she held the Jade Throne, the only female vampire to hold a whole Council territory without a male to support her. And I was a fifty-two year old Master Vampire...not unheard of but certainly not what you see everyday

I served her for fifty years, gaining much in the way of knowledge and power. Most of my swordsmanship and fighting abilities I learned from the blood of her enemies, was taught by her hand. But I knew, we both knew, I had to go. She couldn't break me and I wanted no part of her politics. I traveled west again, taking jobs for anyone who could afford my services. There were times, places, people, I helped simply because it was right. Because it needed doing. I charged only those who were glutted with wealth or soaked in blood and power.

And once my reputation was secure. Once people looked at me and looked away, hoping I hadn't seen them. I put all my weapons down and walked away from that life. For nearly one-hundred years I have been honing a different craft. My art.

I fought hard and shed so much blood, just to by myself peace. To make all the others realize I wanted no part in their games, their cherades, their webs of lies and tangled plots. I live here quietly, I talk to a few friends every now and then. Vampires like Victor, who would otherwise become a puppet or dogsbody for someone else, can come and live in my territory without fear of persuit. My reputation protects the weak...it protects me."

"And just who are you Travis?" Shelly asked with a lifted brow and no slight amount of sarcasm. "Who are you you amazing, all powerful, all mighty, vampire Lord?"

Greg answered for him, a light of comprehension in his eyes. "Bloody Rose! That's what that lady called you! The picture on your wall!"

Travis nodded. "Among other things yes. But generally I'm just called The American. As for being all mighty and such. No where near it. I'm not one of those psychopaths who claim godhood or anything of the like. I'm a vampire, I've been lucky, and now I'm going to get some rest." He abruptly stood, tossing his empty can into the distant wastebin. With a polite smile he walked back through the beaded curtain and vanished into the dimness beyond.

Shelly smiled boozily at Greg and blinked owlishly. "Well alright then."

Greg sighed, shaking his head, and looked at the cat in the window. Under his gaze, Odysseus uncurled with a stretch and then ambled off in the direction Travis had gone. As he smiled to himself and turned to face Shelly, something caught his eye.

Travis's laptop was still sitting on the table.
-----------------------------------------

So does Greg mess around with the laptop or does he leave it alone. If he does chose to be nosey, what kind of information might he find?
------------------------------------

Woohoo, three minutes to spare. Hope you liked.

scissorkitty · Joined: 04 Mar 2008 Posts: 791 Location: Bottom of a teapot

Ooo! Nice chappie!

Okay, I think both Travis AND Shelly are drawn towards the laptop, and I think Travis intentionally left it open, feeling a little guilty about his ability to read their intentions, and wanting to create a passive way for Travis and Shelly to intrude into HIS thoughts- without the pain of him having to rehash even more history.

I think they are drawn both to a current email file from... someone interesting, and towards an online catalogue, a la ebay, where several interesting but obscure items are being watched- perhaps something akin to the knife.

Lilith · Posted: Wed Jul 02, 2008 7:07 pm Post subject:

Nicely done Rai...

And of course Greg is gonna wanna check out the laptop, but maybe Shelly will argue with him about it? I mean, come on. This guy did just bite her, does she really want to give him another reason to? Let a scuffle break out between Shelly and Greg and attract some.. "unwanted" attention... *evil smile*

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Last call for sugggestions.

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Okay, we're polling. Do some voting.

Syranore · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 153 Location: The Inn

I find myself compelled to dislike Travis.

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Humm, I wonder why Syre.

As for the vote, letting it go a few more hours for a tie-breaker.

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Alright, some of you suggested Greg should have a talent. I took it under consideration and decided you were right. Enjoy!
-------------------------

Chapter Nine: Letters From Hell

Greg studied the outside of the laptop, a shiney silver case with a central etching. It was an exquisite rendering of a rose, obviously more of Travis's handiwork. The laptop itself was a Toughbook, one of those expensive 'go anywhere, take anything' laptops that cost an arm and a leg. Before he could really think about what he was doing, Greg turned it toward himself and opened it. Powering it up, listening to it whirr to life, he shot a glance at Shelly.

She scooted over to him, taking up a position at his elbow, and he turned the laptop so that they could both clearly see the screen. Then the User Log On screen popped up and Greg groaned. He'd almost been counting on Travis's age to make him technologically impaired, for him to have forgotten to log off before shutting down. Instead the cursor blinked in the password box, mocking them. "Oh hell." Shelly muttered. "Well, does he have a hint?"

"I don't know, let's see." He typed in a bit of nonsense and was rewarded with a hint message reading 'HINT: Atomic Fireballs song/Series of LA Riots'. They stared at each other, perplexed.

"Atomic Fireballs?" Shelly said dubiously.

Greg nodded. "They're a band...they play swing I think."

"And how many songs do they have?"

Greg gave her one of those looks. "How should I know, I'm not a fan." He looked back at the screen, concentrating on the second half of the hint while Shelly stood up and walked over to the counter.

"I'm going to put on a little music, it always helps me think."

"I know." He chewed his lip, staring at the screen. "Hey, see if Vick has any Atomic Fireballs over there. Might as well just start typing in titles. I mean maybe they've got a song called Rodney King or something."

Shelly laughed, rustling softly as she turned massive cases full of Cd's. One caught her eye, a Grammy CD from some years back, and she pushed it into the player and continued to fumble through the huge music collection that the shop owner had amassed. "God you think this guy's got a bunch of vinyl somewhere?"

"Maybe." Greg wasn't really paying attention. He was wracking his brain for any kind of knowledge about the riots of Los Angles. Travis couldn't be talking about any of the recent riots, nor the 1992 riots. He hummed along with the music, trying to wonder what the vampire had been getting at when he'd entered the quote. The title of the song and the riots were obviously either the same thing or close...was the song about the riots?

Wait, the Atomic Fireballs did swing and the era of swing was the 20's-40's...the Jazz age. So maybe this was something old, something that happened back when swing was king and the big bands ruled. Something Travis knew about personally? Or had heard about? A swing song came on over the stereo, causing him to start as Shelly skipped it. "Wait, what song was that?"

"Zoot Suit Riot, why?"

But Greg suddenly knew the answer, muttering it to himself. "The Zoot Suit riots, swing music.." But Zoot Suit Riots wasn't the password. He tried just Zoot Suit and suddenly the computer chimed as it opened. "Yes!"

Shelly was next to him in an instant, peering at the background which was a photograph of the blue picture that hung in Travis's house. "Pretty." She murmured as Greg puttered around, searching for a nonexistent email.

"Let's see if our vampire has a Yahoo! account, hum?" Not only did Travis have a Yahoo!, he'd clicked the 'remember my password' button. In moments Greg and Shelly were staring at thousands of e-mails.

"Sheesh, you'd think this guy would delete his boxes after a while."

Greg smiled. "Be grateful he doesn't." A reply glared at him, unopened, but he ignored it. He didn't want the vampire to know he'd been poking around in his computer, no telling how Travis might take it. Instead he opened the oldest messages, knowing that he needed the history before he could simply jump right into the vampires life.

It was like reading the script for some gothic soap opera, no...better. Dark Shadows had nothing on what was in those e-mail files. Shelly, reading over her shoulders offered some sage advice from time to time, quirky comments. But for the most part she was silent, letting Greg do his thing. Slowly, out of the crammed full inbox and outbox, the players in Travis's life emerged.

There were messages to Vick and a woman named Dorothy, who was called Dot, vampires living in the city under Travis's protection who constantly e-mailed him with news of what went on in the 'after-hours' community and traded just daily stories. Their communications were strange, both friendly and clearly subservient. Travis's replies were just as full of humor, the friendship returned, but weary of the deference Vick and Dot showed him.

There were messages from random people who helped with Travis's every-day life, humans and perhaps those that were more than human...but not vampire. These Greg ignored, they were not important. There were messages from Mai Lien, the Asian Prima Travis had mentioned and Greg couldn't even begin to read those. They were in a foreign language.

Then there were messages from friends. Gunner was obvious but there was a man name Jim and somebody who called himself different things in different letters but always answered to Kid. But what really caught, and held, Greg's interest were the letters from three women.

One was Violet. In her letters she was always passionate, alternating between sweetness and venom. She virtually all her e-mails opened with the line 'Ivy said I needed to talk to you'. The second was, no surprise, Ivy. Ivy was level headed and calm. The last was Lily, the Prima Lily. The Lily that Travis had nearly drained of blood then left for dead.
---------------------

Shelly sat and watched Greg as he read, watching him do his thing. They'd discovered this 'talent' of his back in high-school. They'd often find letters in the hallway, under the desks in class, on the bus. Most were unsigned, or signed with a pet name, sometimes initials. They would read them and try to figure out who wrote them. Eight times out of ten, Greg had been right.

Stranger than that, Greg would read those notes and be able to tell Shelly things about the author that were not common knowledge. Tell her exactly how the people writing the letter felt about the subject and the person they were writing it to. In short, Greg read letters like some people read palms. It was a gift. And right now he was using it on the vampire that had invaded their lives.

He finally sat back from the computer, rubbing his eyes. "Shit." He tapped the email on the screen, one Travis had sent to Violet. "I could learn a lot from this guy."

Shelly, reading over his shoulder, snorted. "Like what? How to manage two girl-friends and their homicidal sister? I don't think you'll ever need to worry about that."

Greg shifted at her pointed reference to his choice of partners. "Travis is very comfortable in his own skin, with his past, with everything. He may not like some of the things he's done, but he accepts that he's done them and moves on. He's so damn sure of who he is, what he wants, and he doesn't hesitate. He doesn't give a rats ass what other people think of him, his reputation is just a tool for him." Then he added in a softer voice. "And he doesn't let anyone tell him he's worthless. He knows exactly how much value to place on himself."

Shelly was moved to grip his shoulders, rub them a little. She was far from forgiving him, no he still owed her for that, but their friendship was rebounding. Where would she be without him? Where would he be without her? He smiled at her without taking his eyes off the screen, opening a different e-mail.

"This guy is a real piece of work." He tapped one of the communications from the mysterious, multi-named persona known most often as 'Kid'. "He only calls Travis up to brag about shit, to rub it in his face that he's done this and that. And yet, he's scared. Travis could knock the shit out of him and he knows it. He's not happy about it, that's why he's always boasting. But he doesn't want to drive Travis off either...I don't know. It's almost like a big brother/little brother situation but Travis didn't mention any of his siblings becoming vampires as well."

"So maybe he's another of Travis's Maker's..." she searched for the right word "creations?"

Greg shook his head. "No. I think he's just someone that Travis picked up over the years." He flipped e-mail again. "See, here's Gunner. Now he and Travis are tight. These guys have some serious shit behind them and you can see it in the way they talk to each other. That's why Travis isn't really comfortable being Gunner's master, it changes things."

"Lovers?" Shelly said with a nasty eye-brow wiggle.

Greg snorted, recalling Gunner's fury at his orientation. "Not on your life and it wouldn't be healthy to suggest that to their faces...but Travis does have a lover," He tabbed the browser, pulling up multiple e-mails. "three to be precise. Lily, Ivy, and Violet. The sisters of sin themselves."

Shelly stared at the letters for a moment before laughing. "Now why doesn't it surprise me that Mr. Rose has a harem? Busy boy isn't he?"

"Well, to be fair they're all after him for different reasons. Lily's still trying to figure out if it's just lust that drives her passion for him. Ivy's just in it for the kicks. And Violet..." he trailed off tapping the screen. "Her I cannot figure out. I know she does hate him, but that most of that venom she spews isn't hate but fear."

"So why does she sleep with him?"

"She can't help herself," he said softly.

"Oh bullshit!" Shelly laughed. "If I hated someone I wouldn't be sleeping with them. I mean that's just sick. It's like sleeping with your boyfriend's brother just for the hell of it or-"

"Sticking with an abusive bastard because he's convinced you that's all your good for?"

Greg's quiet words stopped Shelly's tirade mid sentence. For a minute neither of them said anything, only the soft music and the sound of Greg clicking the keys kept silence at bay. Shelly opened her mouth to say something and shut it again. She didn't have the words to articulate her feelings at that moment.

Greg finally broke the spell. "This guy, he's the last interesting one. Jim." Greg chuckled. "If he talks like he types he's got to have one hell of a Texas drawl. He's a good sort, easy-going, has a great sense of humor. Salt of the earth type guy, ya know?"

"Another of Travis's buddies?"

Greg nodded. "I'd say so but also sort of like an apprentice. I get the sense he's both older and younger than Travis, that he's following in Travis's footsteps and carving out a name for himself. He's always asking Travis questions on strategy, should he take this job for this person or not. Yet at the same time he gives Travis real world advice. Good friends, not best friends. Easy company."

Shelly nodded, considering what he'd said. Silence fell again, the CD changer whirring softly. The clock on the wall chimed and both of them jumped, realizing the sun was rapidly fading. They scrambled, Greg shutting the laptop down again and putting it back exactly as he found it. Shelly put all the Cd's back in their holders, putting it all back on the shelf.
-------------------------

They were both sitting, very innocently, with books as Vick wandered out of the back room yawning. He blinked at both of them, nodding politely. "Evening."

"Hey Vick." Greg nodded. "Oh hey, you didn't really meet Shelly last night did you?"

Vick raised an eyebrow with an almost comical smile on his face. "Ah, no. She was a little preoccupied." He looked at her seriously. "Hey, I am sorry about that but Travis is...well...Travis. I hope he didn't hurt you."

Shelly rubbed her neck. "To tell the truth I'm fine. A little wobbly, but fine."

"You eaten yet?" Vick inquired. When she shook her head he rubbed his hands together briskly. "Well then how's about the three of us go grab something. I know this great little diner and...what?"

"Well I don't think I can 'donate' again for one of you." Shelly said, shivering slightly.

"Well I wasn't going to ask you."

Greg suddenly found himself fixed by a very pointed stare. "Oh shit."
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Okay so does Greg get bit? If so, how does he feel about it? Or does something happen to save his neck...litterally? It's up to you.
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Ha I saved it! Hope you enjoyed!

Phantomfan · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 6:42 pm Post subject:

Another great chapter Rai!
Only thing-
Quote: "Well then how's about the three of us go grab something. I know this great little diner and...what?"

"Well I don't think I can 'donate' again for one of you." Shelly said, shivering slightly.

"Well I wasn't going to ask you."

Maybe it's just me, but it seems like there are too many "well"s in too short a time.

DP-wise...Personally, I think he should get bitten. He's avoided it thus far, seems time enough now.

As far as how he feels about it?
In all truthfulness, I have no idea.
Angry, I suppose.

Lilith · Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject:

Oh.... hmmm

Vick likes the little queer boys huh? Strange taste in meals.

But I think, Greg should do some fast talking, Shelly as well. Maybe grab an old enemy of theirs to replace themselves with as "dinner". Perhaps .. hmm.. I dunno, Dirk?

*evil smile*

Syranore · Joined: 18 Nov 2007 Posts: 153 Location: The Inn

I say he gets bitten. The benefits outweigh the negatives here, and he might get some handy abilities.

Guest · Posted: Sat Jul 19, 2008 11:19 pm Post subject:

Kallana you put up the polls to fast. Making it easier... lets say.

Lol the chapter reminds me of buckingham palace - it's a book, a guy is called 'zoot' becuase of his suit. ^_^ That reminds me I should delete all those city emails, then email my pals. Ok I don't care Greg gets saved! Or wait a better Idea, I agree he'd get better abilities when bitten, like he can hack into harder places, but he'll probably be the enemy to shelly then, (is she a vampire?) well, I think that when he is turned someone would try and kill him in his sleep, but then the sun sinks behind the mountains and he's awake (does vampires even awake after the sun had set, I don't think so... maybe at seven 30 that'll work) But he can be killed aswell when bitten... Or wait he leaves before he (the guy that walked in) notices any changes in his cd's or anything...

Kalanna Rai · Joined: 21 Jan 2006 Posts: 2965 Location: The Frozen North

Okay, there's a poll running folks.