3.40 am Wednesday, 3 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. The Rocks
Mads was hanging back in the shadows watching me and the couple at the mouth of the pipe.
What’s he waiting for? She thought, as I floundered.
My catch’s self-preservation had kicked in, and they bawked at the gated pipe entrance. I could see the fear starting to form in their faces, the shared glances that all may not be what it seemed, and I felt their fear.
What was I doing? Luring these two to their deaths? For what? Out of some obligation to Bobby? I wasn’t even interested in a fortune for myself; I’d heard more than enough about where my future lay and was working hard to avoid it.
I almost shrugged and played the stupid tourist making a dumb mistake, when I saw Mad’s face form out of the gloom behind the two.
“So, this is where you got to? Were you waiting for me?” She asked, sounding calm and assured. It was exactly the support I needed. Releasing the breath I’d been holding, I smiled.
“It is this way, isn’t it?”
“Yes, this way,” She replied, happily, and the couple, their fears assuaged by the charming young woman in their presence, stepped into the tunnel.
Inside, Dominic had already sent his drunk ahead. There had been a whoshing sound, a breeze ruffled his hair, and a small cracking sound told him Bobby had caught his first fly. My two followed, Bobby caught the first right at the entrance, where the light gave a glimpse of him striking from above, grabbing them by the head and ripping it off. Hot blood slapped the third in the face, and they leapt back and ran, right into my arms. I held on long enough for Mads to grab their head and smash it into the wall of the pipe. There was a crunch, as their skull cracked like an eggshell.
“That wasn’t necessary,” Dominic dominated the now brain-damaged victim and pointed towards Bobby, “Go to him.” Bobby quickly dispatched them with a flick of their head and a crack.
“Hello, Bobby,” Dominic smiled as the Malkavian climbed down the side of the pipe like a spider and examined his catch.
“Yes, More flies?” Bobby asked, seeming pleased with our offerings.
“More flies.”
“You delivered quickly. There are fewer of you this time.”
“I’ll be joining in this time,” Dominic assured him, “The others have things to do, and you’ve not met Mads, I believe.”
Mads nodded, and Bobby smiled, “Oh, we’ve met, just not yet.”
“How do you do. I’m Mads, “She completed the obligatory but obviously unrequired greetings.
“I know, Mads. He’s fine, by the way.” Mads and I blinked. This was obviously a reference to Mads’ Alex.
“You have some funny fucking jokes, don’t you?” Mads’ self-defence snark rose up. Bobby didn’t care.
“Do you want a funny joke?” He asked in all sincerity, “I know Rain would like to hear a funny joke?”
“I’m always on the lookout for original material, Bobby,” I said, but all my attention was on Mads.
“Three people go down a sewer expecting to be good people. The cost, three good people.” Poignant, but not exactly funny. I gave him his drum sting and it was down to business.
“Whose first?”
Dominic stepped up and stretched out his hand, palm up. Bobby cut the palm with his fingernail and then waved Dominic’s hand back and forth, airing out the bitter-tasting blood to make it more palatable.
“Interesting. I guess your one’s a simple one. You’ve been expanding. Grand ideas. Been changing a lot of the world. The Ages are lazy, and so will this foretelling. Beware the ideas (ides) of March or Mars.”
“So, all is going as planned. Thank you very much, Bobby.”
Dominic stepped away, and Mads took her place in front of Bobby.
“Hello again, old friend., “ He said and gently took her outstretched hand. He lightly cut her palm, being careful not to hurt her too much. There was a familiarity in his movements, and I wondered how often Mads would come down here for Bobby’s advice in the future. He licked at the blood:
“You’ve seen much, you would do much more. But still, you are less than what you are. Not even a person yet, you’re just some idea of a person. Maybe when you find your other half, you’ll be more fulfilled. Maybe you can be a person then. Is that what you wanted to hear, Mads?”
“Thank you, I guess,” Mads stepped away, confused. I think she had more questions, but didn’t have the bandwidth currently to process them. I knew the feeling. Bobby looked up at me.
“You know you don’t have to do this, Rain.”
“I didn’t intend to,” I admitted, “I only came as a support to my friend and to watch you.”
His too-white smile shone in the dark, “That’s right, you don’t want me to speak of what you’ve done.”
What? Poisoned my friend and then abandoned him with complete strangers? Made a deal with a devil? Killed a dog? Stole from the Prince and probably committed high treason? Ha, in this company?
“No, “ I said.
He nodded, “Most of our kind tend to have the phobias and hysteria of old night. Still tick-tock, the clock moves on, isn’t that right?”
To the phobias and fear of old night, I was unsure what he meant, but the moving of the clock was ever-present.
“Yes, I feel it.”
“But how are you going to water it from this far away?” A reference to the garden? I needed to get closer and cultivate a new society? Hadn’t I been trying to do that?
“I don’t know what I’m doing, Bobby,” I admitted, self-conscious that Dominic and Mads were listening in.
“Well, that’s a good start. With most of our kind, ignorance is a very good excuse. A time-honoured tradition. Especially in all this Jihad nonsense.”
And now he hit on something that had been plaguing me. Dominic’s ‘do not get involved’ attitude was all very well, but was there anything that could be done to stop a Jihad before it begun?
“That I would like to know, “ I extended my hand, palm up, “Are we facing Jihad?”
He didn’t take it at first, “We’re always facing one, always facing someone. What a strange thing to ask.”
I qualified my question, “Is there a way to prevent the next one?”
This time, he did take my hand and, after cutting it, licked the blood away. “The world has changed.The world is changing. The world will change. Like layers of a fine lasagne It all just melts together until it’s shit.” I knew that one too. History…existence was a lasagne, full of good and bad, layers of change, growth and decay. But pulled back, taken as a whole…it didn’t really matter.
“Is that the answer you were looking for?” Bobby asked giving me back my hand.
“It is the answer I have, “ I sighed at the…futility. Is that what a long life gave you, the perspective to see everything, even the good, and just the same pile of shit? God, help me. “Thank you, Bobby.”
“Exactly.” He concluded, glancing around the group.
“Where is the black flame?”
No one answered. It was one of my many questions I had simmering on a back burner in my mind.
“I can’t answer that, Bobby,” I admitted, with regret.
“It’s so much easier catching flies and moths with a black flame around, “ He said distractedly, and I couldn’t help but agree. Maybe this was why they preferred to embrace the young, they didn’t have as many social hang ups about becoming predators.
“And still you may find your noble stead somewhere else too.” He added and I almost scoffed. Not my noble stead…hardly noble at all. But it got me thinking. No, no my stead.
“How about her noble stead? Her knight in shining armour? Do you see him?”
“He looks like a knight to you? Shining sure…” Bobby laughed, a choking, gutteral sound.
“We’re all tarnished in these nights…but, yes.
“His absence is seen, “ Fuck, people have noticed his missing. The Prince has noticed. It was astounding that neither Dominic or I hadn’t received a summons. “He hasn’t decided what he is yet. It’s odd. It doesn’t happen very often.” I thought that odd, as I was fairly certain the last time we’d spoken Izac had a very strong opinion of who he was. Sure, something weighed on his mind, but I thought that was a conscience that drove his purpose. Did his indecision now have to do with Lady Merritt? Or, even my small part in returning his heart?
Or had I completely misread everything? Did it really matter?
“Now, if there is nothing else, I am going to feast and sleep. It’s a big night soon, and I have to prepare for the rest of the family.” Bobby said, breaking into my thoughts.
“Bon Apetit, Bobby,” Dominic said and turned to lead us out of the pipe.
“Dominic?” Bobby called, and Dominic stopped and turned, silhouetted in the mouth of the tunnel, “Family is what is important. Not the blood.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
I can’t say I remember much of the walk back to the car. I absentmindedly healed my hand and Dominic held out his own, which I healed with a licked thumb. As usual, a visit to Bobby left more questions than answers he had been very illuminating in regards to all three of our readings. Dominic was a man of the times, and making good use of others laziness. Mads, a woman driven so singularly by a purpose that everything, even herself was subsumed, and well….we’ve already discussed my steaming pile of history.
Family is what is important. Not the blood, Now that was an interesting thought to give a Giovanni. The Family, or the Family? Were the Giovanni the blood, or something else? That is to say, what was more important? The coterie or the clan? I could imagine such a thought could keep a good Giovanni awake all day, ut, what about Dominic?
4.05 am Wednesday, 2 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. The Rocks
“Well, that was enlightening,” Mads said, not sounding convinced by her own words, “What now?”
It was getting late. Dominic said something about heading home and I cadged a lift back to the apartment.
“Mads?”
“If you’re extending the same curtesy, sure,” She agreed and we all got into the car without a second thought, and drove away.
But we weren’t alone in the park near Bobby’s pipe. We had no idea that Eclipse was there waiting for us. Her mission to see The days of the Week completed, she’d caught a taxi to The Rocks and searched Hickson Road for Dominic’s car. When that strategy didn’t yeild any results, she found a seat in the park and watched the night go by. Even in her short life, this stretch of the harbour had gone from forgotten wasteland and old working warves, to gentle urbane landscape. She’d never been through this part of the City when she was alive. Dead, she’d been here twice in as many months. Drawing on her architectural studies, now forgotten, she amused herself wondering what would it be in another eighteen years?
Her mental meaderings were broken by a bark of laughter, and the deep murmurs of voices at a distance. Down the path she could see three silhouettes, a woman, scruffy and worst for a long night and morning of drink and two men in suits by their appearance. Stepping back into a loose scree of bushes behind her seat, Eclipse drew on the blood and became an unseen presence to all except the most perceptive. As the group moved closer she could hear snatches of coversation that told her this was not her coterie. She let them walk by within ten paces of her hiding spot before returning to her seat to wait.
Time slipped by without concern for the lone vampire waiting alone in the park . Early morning joggers, out before the sunrise, reminded her of the time. Checking her phone, it was an hour before sunrise. She had stayed too long. Rising, she returned to HIckson Road and found a taxi to take her to Leichhardt.
“What’s a sweet young thing like you here alone?” Said the taxi driver, in a tone that suggested her welfare was not his concern.
“Crow Bar, in Leichhardt,” Eclipse said with disgust, but little concern, climbing into the back of the taxi.
“The Crow Bar, sure I can get you there, I know that spot,” He replied and started off in a direction that may or may not have led to the most efficient way. As it eas. The seventeen minute journey across the ANZAC bridge, was a merry thiry minutes jaunt through inner suburbia. Eventually, he stopped the taxi in the backlane behind the Crow Bar.
As Eclipse left the car, the taxi driver look the opportunity to get a good look at his fair fare.
“We’re here, “ He said and gestured to the fair, twice as much as usual.
Eclipse stared quietly at driver. In a different life she would have caused a ruckus arguing the cost, put off from by the driver’s lewd glances to take it any further. Now…she could snap his neck, paralyse him and drive him back to the Days of the Week where he could wait until Sunday.
Instead, she quietly paid the fair in cash and let the letch go. It was late, and he wasn’t her type, after all.
“You be careful out there. It’s a dangerous world for a sweet thing like you,” He said, pulling something from the console between the front seat and handing it to her, “Do you want my card?
“Thank you for your concern,” She said, taking the business card in two fingers, “Maybe we will meet again.”
Eclipse made it to the front of the Crow Bar just as colour seeping into the horizon showing how small her world really was. For a moment, she watched the night disappear as dawn slowly made its approach. The thought of standing there and waiting for the sun to make its appearance didn’t actively enter her thought, but it was nice to know it was always an option.
Stallion had not been wasteful with his time. With his bad leg propped up on the table, a book on anatomy open to the page outlining the muscles and ligaments of the lower leg, and another discussing medical proceedures for that part of the body, Stallion was getting himself a medical education.
By the time Dominic, Mads and I were heading home to our respective safe spaces, he was giving up for the day, putting his leg and the books away and heading back to the warehouse on his motorcycle. The mould of moldering flesh that was the old tramp who had made the mistake of taking refuge in the warehouse was still waiting for him in the bathroom. He experimented on what was left of the tramp, comparing what he’d learnt with what he found as his fingers sank into the tissues of the man’s leg, now soft as funky as cheese.
6.10 pm Wednesday, 12 December 12 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C.
Another night, and the coterie started gathering. Stallion, awoke first, his hands still partly in the rotting remains of the derelict. Extracting himself, he pulled out his phone and called Guiseppi.
“Yeah, what? Stallion? What?” Guiseppi answered sounding distracted and stressed.
“It’s been a while? Want to do something tonight?”
“Yeah…yeah you can help. What do you think about… reconstruction?”
Stallion knew nothing about whatever Guiseppi was going on about, but anything was better than another dull night at the bar, “Ah, reconstruction… that sounds alright.”
“Okay…I’ll pick you up…I’ve just got to tie up some loose…not ends…openings. Meet me at Crystal Street Carpark in Petersham.”
And because Stallion was still unsure of the Bronco’s status, and the bike was with him in the warehouse, he got on the bike and headed out for Petersham.
Tonight I awoke on a mission. There were two things on my agenda, and the first was waiting for me at Crow Bar. Pulling together and orgainsing a file I’d been putting together for what seemed months (but was at most a few weeks), I took the light rail from the stop near my building and rode all the way to Leichhardt.
Dominic had no business outside the Crow Bar today. After his usual routine at his mansion, he dressed and also made his way to the bar by car.
Eclipse had spent the day enconsed in the library and even now started her night perusing the shelves for the Thaumaturgy books. She found the one Stallion had put his dirty fingerprints through, and sat down to find out what all the fuss about magic was really about.
Mads, waking with Bobby’s words still spiralling through her conscious, had to contemplate another day. Alex was fine. But what did that mean? Fine as a living being? Fine as a vampire? Fine as a dead corpse without a care in the world? Bobby’s words had stirred something akin to hope in Mads and after forty years she wasn’t sure what to make of it. After lying on her hotel bed for an indeterminate time, she decided what she really needed was clarification. She needed answers. Dressing, she made her way downstairs and across the road to the Crow Bar.
Mads was the first to arrive at the bar and spent much of that time looking for me. When I sauntered in twenty minutes later, she made a beeline straight for me.
“Look, I’m going back to Bobby…if you don’t want to come I understand but I need to ask him some follow up questions.”
I was a little taken aback. It seemed the reading from Bobby had stirred something for Mads. She was once more focused on her task and there was no way I was going to miss that. Still, the plans burned in my hands. As far as I was concerned they were long overdue, and I didn’t want to put them off any longer…tomorrow was the Club.
“Ah, yes…’ I started, reorganising my myself mentally.
“If you don’t want to come I get it, but I’m going…just in case people need to know,” She took my reticence for a refusal.
“No, no, I’d love to go, but I…I need to speak to Bruce…as charming as that sounds.”
“I can wait another ten minutes,” She compromised and stalked away to the VIP room.
Grabbing the attention of one of the staff I asked if they’d seen Bruce yet that night.
“You’re kidding? The arsehole’s where he always is, in the fucking camera room,” They replied, and went back to their work. The positive attitude of the staff towards Bruce only added to my own as I climbed the stairs to the offices. The Security office door was ajar at the end of the hallway, the evil giggles of Bruce insinuating themselves through the gap. Looking through the crack I saw Bruce, laughing himself hoarse over two men…being intimate in a toilet stall. I knocked on the open door.
“I think you’ll get a kick out of this, come in,” He said, not turning around to see who was there. It was a power move, but I was determined not to let it phase me. If dealing with Bruce was what it took to get the nightclub up and running, so be it. I stepped in I watched the two men grunt and thrust themselves into hernias.
“They really should relax and just take their time. It can be..difficult…performing in public,” I commented.
“Well, you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, Rain,” Now he deemed to turn around. Laughing. I went straight to business.
“I’m hoping to organise a time to talk to you about the new bar.”
“Does it have anything to do with this here?” He gestured to the screen.
“I’m sure it will happen, but not directly, no.” The joys of Nightclub management before I even have lease on the building.
“Sure. Speak. More information.” He leaned back, and I opened my folder.
“Here’s the address of the building in question. In Pyrmont. I have ideas I’d like to go through them with you if you have time. It would be set up much like here with a basement VIP for Kin but also a roof top space, all connected by a private staircase…”
“How much?” he interrupted, probably another power move, “How much does this pay?”
“How much?” I had rough estimates on the renovations, equipment, and furniture, but payment for hime wasn’t something I’d covered. I closed my folder, in a motion that I hoped conveyed I wasn’t to be messed with on this.
“Mr Giovanni wished for me to speak to you on this matter. If you don’t wish to discuss it…I can always take it up with him.”
“I didn’t say that,” He back tracked, “I just wanted to know how much it paid. Are you saying Dominic will pay me?”
“It is an expansion of his empire. Yes, he’s paying.”
That got his attention. Lead with the cash, I should have known that by now.
“What would you like to start off with?” He was now all ears. I opened the folder and started going through the plans to acquire the site, the time table for renovation and hiring of staff. He looked over the notes I’d given him nodding, thoroughly engaged with the business at hand. I could see at that moment why Dominic had chosen this less than exemplary example of a human being to be his right hand man. If he had been family, they couldn’t have been more alike.
“Hmm, okay. I’ll be glad look over this, make a few notes and find ways to help. I’ll get back to you.”
“That’s all I can ask,” I said, feeling the relief of finally starting this project so long delayed, “There is no hurry. I need to get onto the matter of…management. I will need someone resourceful, talented and completely loyal to oversee everything…during the day. A partner, as it were.” I said moving around the topic, unsure as I was of his attitude to his own ghouled status.
“A partner? You would say that,” He replied, insinuating something more than business by his tone.
“I do say that,” And on this, I was firm, but I knew I needed help finding the right person, “What do you not call yourself in relation to Mr Giovanni? Are you not his partner?”
“No, I’m his employee,” He replied like it was self-evident.
“Then I need an…employee I can trust.”
He looked at me suspiciously, “Are you coming onto me?” My first answer would normally be, Do you want me to?, but this was Bruce.
“Oh no, you are definintely Mr Giovanni’s man. I need someone for me.“
“Hmm,” He closed the folder and stared at me for a moment, “You do go through them quick.”
“I don’t know what you mean by that,” I replied, hoping I hadn’t rushed the reply in an attempt to stifle further discussion down that path.
“Well, there was the dog, and then there was the other dog, and then there was that friend of your…Lenny? Now there this woman…”
“Neither of the dogs had nothing to do with me…and who is this woman?”
“You say that but remember, I have the cameras, I see all. I saw how you treated them.”
What? With a little kindness? With a little decency? Yes, I know how you deal with people Bruce, I have felt your hand…, I thought.
What I said was, “Woman? And who is this woman you’re speaking of?”
Instead of answering directly, he typed in the code to one of the security cameras and a view of the V.I.P. Lounge appeared on the first monitor. At what had become her regular table, Mads sat drinking.
“Mads, of course.”
I stood, watching her, my mind having now been taken to a new realm I hadn’t considered. Mads. She was smart, and talented. She was experienced in living these nights. If, even for a shortwhile while she sorted herself out, she agreed, it would be good having her mind and energy behind the club. It could give her something to work on beside whatever grief inspired revenge she had planned. That was, if she didn’t mind being an employee of Dominic’s.
“Actually, that’s not a bad idea. Still, she can’t be a partner like…I need. As I said, a day manager. I do look forward to your thoughts on my proposal and if you have any ideas about a manager, I am open.”
“Give me a couple of nights. Hey, won’t that be the Succubus Club?’
“Yes, so after the club. Take as long as you need.”
“Sounds good.” And with that I was dismissed.
Down the hall, Dominic climbed the stairs and entered his office to start his work for the night. It was a quiet night for Dominic and after scanning through his emails, he started a search for what was on at the theatre. He settled on a Murder for two at the Hayes Theatre at Potts Point.
Pulling his phone from the pocket of his jacket, Dominic sent a text message to the coterie.
PLANNING A NIGHT OUT AT THE THEATRE. I AM BOOKING TICKETS NOW. WHO IS AVAILABLE TO ATTEND? YOU HAVE TEN MINUTES TO RESPOND.
It was 6.45 pm when Stallion’s dirt bike rolled into the Crystal Street Carpark. Giuseppi wasn’t anywhere in sight. Five minutes went by before a nondescript late model Ford sedan rolled up and stopped in front of Stallion. The door popped open and Giuseppi was in the driver’s seat. He was alone.
“Get in.”
Stallion, checked his bike was well parked before slipping into the passenger seat.
“I hope you’re ready for this.” said Giuseppi, pulling out onto the road, “I don’t want to scare you, but these people are hard. They’ve lost limbs before today, and we need to get them out.”
“Oh, its an extraction job,” Stallion replied, now this was something he was familiar with.
“No, well…I’m going to tell them how it is, and they will take exception.”
“Yeah, and I imagine some of them will take a ride in the boot,” Stallion knew the score.”
“If worse comes to worse, but this is more of a message. Got me ?”
“Yeah, I got ya. I can be intimidating, “ And Stallion showed it by bulking out his shoulders, upper arms and forearms.
“Splendid.”
Mads was patiently waiting, which is a real achievement for Mads; patience wasn’t what she was known for. Still, she was keeping her ears open for rumours. Upstairs in the common room, Delith was working the bar, her drug of choice tonight seemed to be Rohypol. Mads hadn’t stuck around and headed downstairs, where she was disappointed there was no talk about the missing coterie member. Though Izac had been of some interest early on, it seemed that the average vampire didn’t care about the unknown stranger or his whereabouts. There was some discussion about things starting to heat up with the Succubus Club just around the corner. A lot of new kindred showing up daily, a lot of tension building in the air. None of that meant anything to Mads.
To pass the time, she went to the bar to get a drink.
“Have you got any Marlo?” She asked. He’d been a good drop.
“No sadly, ran out. We have a good rich Frank.”
“What’s the age on the Frank?”
“Forty-two.”
“Forty-two? Got anything younger?”
“Isn’t that a bit scandalous?”
“Come off it, I’m not a Ventrue,” Mads scoffed, and the bartender checked again.
“Okay, well we do have a five year old Ben.”
“Now that is out of my wheelhouse.”
“Too old, too young…come on, you’re not sleeping with it. That’s what we have so what’s it gonna be?”
“Give me the Frank.”
And with her glass of Frank, Mads went back to her table and waited.
Eclipse hadn’t left the library. She now trawled the shelves for books on vampires of note. The Encylopedia Vampirica was still missing and the only books seemed to be on Dracula, including the famous semi-autobiography or a history of Woden that read more like an adventure story. Instead of slogging through glorised slaughter, she retuned the books and headed down to the V.I.P.Lounge.
To the coterie, Dominic text arrived and was promptly replied to:
HEADING OUT WITH GIUSEPPI, Stallion sent to which Dominic replied.
HAVE FUN. BREAK A LEG.
NO THANK YOU, Eclipse sent without explanation.
Now on my way to meet Mads, I quickly sent off a text, PLANS FOR TONIGHT. APOLOGIES.
Even the stray received the message, RESPECTFULLY I NEED TO PASS. ENJOY!
ENJOYING THE THEATRE ALONE TONIGHT, Dominic replied, and I cursed my luck. All the time in the world but still can’t be in two places at once. Shoving my phone deep into my pocket, I went in search for Mads down in the V.I.P. Lounge.
Mads wasn’t anywhere near enough drunk when I finally caught up with her.
“Back to Bobby?”
“Yeah, I need to ask some follow up questions to some things he said.”
“I can imagine,” I turned to start leave and saw Eclipse gracefully step down into the Lounge. I gave her a wave to catch her attention, and Mad’s called her over.
“You look like you’re off somewhere,” Eclipse commented. She looked like she wasn’t.
“Off? No, no, I haven’t drunk near enough yet,” Mads said cheerily. Eclipse didn’t even crack a smile.
I shrugged. Even knowing we were off to see Bobby again didn’t help me understand. She seemed to be feeling a lot of shame and guilt. Had Bobby’s comments the night before make her feel she hadn’t done enough to find Alex?
“We’re off to see Bobby, again. You missed out on last night’s excursion, would you like to come?” I asked, trying to give Eclipse some idea what might be up with Mads.
“Ah,” she said nodding, “No, I’m busy tonight.”
“You’ve been keeping to yourself recently.” Mad’s eyed Eclipse suspiciously.
“I’d go with you if it didn’t conflict with established plans.”
“Ah, the best laid ones….they never seem to work out.”
“Well, be careful, they say when fates are spoken, they’re typical sealed.”
I didn’t like that statement in the slightest. For me or for Eclipse. As Mads rose to leave, I left, leaving a little cryptic comment of my own.
“Have fun…with your friends.”
7.00 pm Wednesday, 11 December 12 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. Petersham
The car trip through the inner suburbs was silent. Stallion had never seen Guiseppi so tense and serious. He parked the car beside a shitty little factory that had seen better days and said the first two words he’d said all trip.
“Come on.”
Stallion got out of the car, tied his robe down low at his hips and upbuttoned his shirt underneath. His now plastic form expanded to stretch the shirt just enough to show off his pecks as Guiseppi led them to a side door and pushed it open.
Inside, a group of half a gangbangers lolled about in the ruins of an office space. Guiseppi scanned the room, noting each individual in turn.
“All still here? I’ve told you, you can either join up or get out. What’s it gonna be? Or do I have to bring in the big boy?” At this question, Guiseppi pointed to Stallion. Stallion nodded and flexed on command.
It seemed enough.
“All right. Said one who seemed to be nominally in charge, “Can we at least pack up our stuff?”
“Be quick about it. You have five minutes, Stallion, keep an eye on them. I’m going outside for a smoke.” Guiseppe said cooly and walked away.
Stallion stuck by the door, keeping an not just on the group, but also any other exits from the room. They seemed to be complying pretty quietly and moving out, but there was something about their attitudes, the way they complied that he didn’t like. They were ignoring him, the hired muscle, not worthy of respect.
Stallion didn’t like that. There was such as thing as respect for the Alpha. He drew on the blood and stared each one down as they passed him at the door.
One by one, there were clangs and clunks as each dropped knives, broken bottles, metal pipes and chair legs. It seemed they’d planned to give Guiseppe a bit of a going over, but now, they left as meekly as newborn lambs. Stallion flexed, and checked the inside of the building. It was a dump. An empty dump, but still a dump. Worthy of a quick spot of arson and that was about it.
“Don’t worry,” Guiseppe said, as Stallion went to step inside and check further, “Getting them out was the main thing. It’ll be all fixed up in weeks. I have plans. Good work with the staredown. I didn’t realise they were the ‘Give in’ ones.”
“It’s the lot you play in this world,” Stallion shrugged.
“Too true, but I did promise you a bit of a Barney Rubble. Are you still interested, or do you have other plans?”
“Ah fuck, my plans were hanging with you for the night,” Stallion said with a self-conscious smile.
“Yeah well, we can do the rounds. We could probably clean out most of the places if you keep this up.”
Stallion’s smile relaxed, and the two unlikely mates headed back to the car.
7.15 pm Wednesday, 11 December 12 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C.
Dominic, his tickets booked and dressed for a night out went in search for one other pieces of clothing to perfect his outfit. From a closet of clothes that Dominic kept for emergency he pulled out a short, shoulder cape, lined in red satin. Clasping it around his neck, he check his look in the full length mirror before returning to his office. From her secret compartment within the body of his desk he removed the head of his mother.
“You’d love a night at the theatre, wouldn’t you mother?” He asked, and without waiting for a reply, he reverently tucked her under the cloak and strolled out of the office.
Mads and I were already down in the garage when Dominic arrived, his cape swinging stylishly around his body.
“Looking very… fine there Mr Giovanni,” I said as I watched him awkwardly take his seat behind the wheel of the Mercedes.
“Enjoy the show,” Mads added, as she claimed the passenger seat of the Audi were were taking for the night.
“Yes, this is all the rage,” Dominic swung back the right-hand edge of his cape in a dashing way so he could drive the car without getting it caught in the steering wheel.
“Yes, it indeed it was…in the seventeenth century.”
“I know you jest, because I know this is the most fantastic outfit. You should get yourself fitted for one.”
“I’m of the Invincibles school when it comes to cape,” I said with a smile, “No capes.” How much more Vampire can you get? So cliche.
He wasn’t going to let me get away with that little jibe at his outfit. Fortunately for me, he was in a very good mood.
“Well, you know our tailor does an excellent line in bustles.”
“When I go drag, I’ll let the tailor know.”
“You do drag?” Mads asked, and she looked impressed. I felt sorry to disappoint her. Can I help I’m very happy being cismale?
“No.”
“Her friends do,” Dominic took a final swipe as he drove away, taking the last word with him.
7.20 pm Wednesday, 11 December 12 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. Petersham
The second building was a little nicer, an old theatre in a forgotten patch of suburban strip shopping. Guiseppe parked the car and seemed to try and recompose himself.
“This time we’re not going in hard. This is a respectable place.”
Stallion deflated enough to do up his buttons and let his robe out to a more relaxed look.
“Are you ready, Stallion?”
“I suppose. I bet we can get up to some real hijinks here.”
“Hopefully not,” Guiseppe’s expression became serious and he took a moment to look at Stallion, “Do you know how to turn a dial?”
“What sort of dial are we talking about? Heads or locks?”
“No, like an eggtimer,” Guiseppi qualified and Stallion nodded in agreement.
“Tick-tock, times up?”
“That’s right.” Guiseppi nodded grimly, “Okay, so the number is five-zero, right? I’m going to go inside and go upstairs. You’re going to go through the side and through the kitchen. There’s a shitty staff area. Go through to the staff toilets. It will be on with the tank above the seat with a chain pull. Inside, there will be an egg timer. I will need you to turn it to…”
“Fifty, I got it,” Stallion nodded, impressed with Guiseppi and his planning. This was going to be sweet.
“Yes, five -zero, can you do that?”
“Yep!”
“Splendid. Ready?”
Stallion nodded, left the car and headed for the kitchen door around the side.
7.20 pm Wednesday, 12 December 11 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. Petersham
Notable NPCs
Abram: Ventrue, and one of the six founders of Sydney Masquerade
Agaricus: Children of the Moon, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade
Alex Holmestead: Husband of Mads. Location and status unknown.
Alicia: Toreador Vampire met at the Crow Bar
Ambrogino: 5th Generation Vampire, Cappadocian and Elder of the Giovanni Clan.
Avel: Rain’s mother, a wraith.
Beelzebub: Fallen angel, demon entity in Rain’s pocket watch.
Blanco Falzo: A man who had made into the likeness of Stallion’s dog for a time. Now deceased.
Bobby Lisner: Malkavian seer who lives in an old Sewer pipe in The Rocks.
Brendan Virgil: A.K.A. Miss Divine Intervention. Rain’s close friend.
Bruce: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni
Cabolut Hazzim: the name given by a vampire who cleared out the homeless at Rain’s old squat. Prince’s Assassin.
Days of the Week: Pseudonyms for members of the Baali group Eclipse (Luna) is now part of. She is Sunday, and they are missing Wednesday. Tuesday seems to be their nominal spokesperson, though they seem to have no leader.
Delith: Ambitious Ventrue bar staff at the Crowbar.
Detective Woodman: NSW Police ‘premiere’ detective and a sufferer of schizophrenia. He currently has an assistant named Notetaker.
Doctor Willis Hodge: A ghost acquaintance of Dominic Giovanni’s from the Coroner’s Court.
El Torcedor: “The Twister” or ore accurately, “The Fleshcrafter” A Tzimisce from South America
Founders of Sydney Masquerade: Those still alive: Abram, the Ventrue, in Canberra, Wid, the Nosferatu in Wollongong, Agaricus, Child of the Moon, Tasmania, Montague Layton, Toreador, current whereabouts unknown.
Francesco: a werewolf, part of the Spiral Dancers who investigated the Pyrmont basement.
Francis Tuttle: Name given in charge of the investigation into the deaths of the homeless in Surry Hills.
Garcia: Sire. Unknown location.
Giuseppe Giovanni: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni and nephew.
Harold Zettler: Chairman of the board of Pentax multinational. Standing member of the Sabbat.
Joel Mitchell: Mads’ friend. Deceased.
Kenneth Stahl: South African Giovanni (exiled)
Laibon: Vampire Clan out of Africa
Lady Merritt Stone: A very old and powerful vampire who has taken an interest in Izac. Rain spoke to her about the Coterie and Izac’s mission
Lambach Ruthven: Kin met at the theatre. Sire of Dracula. Drug addict.
Lenny: Rain’s Ghoul and artist friend, now with mages. Location unknown.
Lucretia: Childe of Ambrogino, now caretaker of the Pyrmont House and teacher to Dominic
Madeline Blackwell: Ghoul of Mr Giovanni, working at the State Coroners Court.
Montague Layton: Toreador, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade
Night Rider: Red-haired vampire? Works for the Prince.
Pangea: a Nosferatu (tunnel builder)
Padre Craneo: Nagaraja vampire met at the Crow Bar
Paul: a Nosferatu of the sewer rats
Pentax: a multinational group that is involved in a secret project called Omega.
Persephone: Sixth gen Malkavian who works security for Pentax an multinational company. Her sire is Harold Zettler. Something to do with the Spiral Dancer.
Prince Lodin: Prince of Chicago (until his final death in the 90s) and sire of Al Capone.
Prince Sarrasine (Sar-ras-seen): Toreador Ruler of Sydney*
Rumplestiltskin: A Kiasyn mixologist who uses fairies in his drinks.
Sebastian Melmoth: Kin met at the theatre. Powerful Toreador. Oscar Wilde.
Shara-had: Banu Haqim (Assamite).
Sparrow: a Nosferatu of the warren in Pyrmont, closest to home
Sydney Sewage Pumping Station number one: Known access to Nosferatu waiting room.
Tailor: Dominic’s Tailor who has a shop in Leichhardt
Teeth of Titanium: Werewolf dingo met in Leichhardt.
Tar- Anis: see Persephone.
The Prestiege: The speak for the four Tremere met at the Blavatsky Lodge.
The Twins: A pair of Tzimisce of Dominic’s acquaintance. The creators of Blanco Falzo the Dog??
The Woman: A powerful being of unknown name who kidnapped Izac and enchanted Rain. Lady Merritt
Tom: A sleeping head awakened by Dominic in the Dreamtime.
Vida Goldstein: an Australian suffragette, originally interested in women and children welfare. Malkavian. Diablerised by Dominic.
Wid: Nosferatu, and one of six founders of Sydney Masquerade
Glossary of terms:
Anarchists: a faction of Vampires. Caused issues in Los Angeles recently, killed the Prince.
Antediluvian: from before the time of the biblical flood. The third generation was the progenitors of the thirteen clans of vampires.
Baali: A bloodline bent on keeping beings old before time from waking up and destroying everything. Eclipse and the Days of the Week are Baali.
Banu Haqim: Also know as Assamites, Assassins though sometimes just mercenaries for hire.
Bone Gnawers: A pack of werewolves
Blood hunt: A process to destroy a vampire who has broken a tradition. Specifically mentioned in the sixth.
Blood worm: What a possessed vampire can turn into.
Black Spiral Dancers: A pack of werewolves that worship a being of entropy.
Brujah: One of the twelve clans of Cain.
Canaanites: Those descended from Cain, the first murderer and vampire.
Camarilla: a faction of Vampires closest to the Princes. Believe in hierarchy and order.
Children of Osirus: Bloodline outside the Caine family tradition who practise Bardo, a discipline to control the beast. Izac’s current Bloodline.
Children of Seth: Bloodline the Prince is rumoured to be (originally?)
Clan or Bloodline: From one of the children of Caine or subsequent established lines of vampires.
Christopher Charlton: Rain’s pseudonym.
Marauder: A mage gone mad. Living in his own pocket dimension that answers to the whim of his broken mind.
Diablerie : the drinking another vampire blood and soul
Favour: How Vampires pay for things they want or need doing.
Fetter: A place, person or thing that binds a wraith to the Shadowlands.
Gangrel: A bloodline of vampire. Stallion’s Bloodline.
Ghouls: Servants of a vampire who have been fed vitae. They are loyal, stronger, and more resilient, and sometimes, they show other powers gained from the blood. They must receive the blood at least once a month or they return to being human. Can be addictive.
Giovanni: A vampire bloodline that keeps within genetic family ties. Dominic is a Giovanni.
Glasswalkers: A pack of werewolves
Hunter: Members of the Society of Leopold, a branch of the Catholic Church. Fanatical vampire hunters and killers.
Kiasyd: Part of the La Sombre Clan.
Kin: Short for Kindred. Vampires, a name among themselves
Kine: Humans
Marauder: a rouge mage, often mad. They are likely to act in a way that exposes the Otherworld of the Masquerade to exposure.
Masquerade : The rule that keeps vampire society safe. Hiding ones nature from the world.
Nagaraja: A bloodline that are obligated to eat the flesh as well as the blood of their victims.
Men in Black: An international unit dedicated to controlling supernatural and alien entities.
The Red List: a universal kill list of vampires. Maintained by the Camarilla, anyone on the list can be mudered without question.
Sabbat: a faction of Vampires that believe that the progenitors of the clans will one day awake and eat all their young.
The Theosophical Society: A private society of learning and tolerance based out of the Blavatsky Lodge, St. Leonards (https://sydney.theosophicalsociety.org.au)
Tremere Pyramid: A strict hierarchical structure that all Tremere are part of. Every member knows their place within the Pyramid. The antidiluvian, Tremere, sits at the top of this pyramid.Below him, the number seven is repeated through the clan’s structure.
Toreador: Bloodline of Vampire. Rain’s Bloodline.
Traditions: Six laws that vampires live by.
Tzimisce: Bloodline of Vampire. Body sculptures.
Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.
A Strange Life 