10.02 pm Tuesday, 8 hours until sunrise, 3 days until the S.C.Crow Bar
The clock on Dominic’s dashboard read 10.02 pm as he drove into the underground carpark. The talk was long overdue.
What were Rain and Eclipse playing at? This was their chance to make or break, didn’t they realise that? Irritated, he pulled out his phone and sent a message to all three of his childe.
MEET AT MY OFFICE.
Stallion was first to arrive, having only to climb the stairs from the basement lounge.
“Take a seat, Stallion,” Dominic gestured to a chair, and Stallion sat down.
“You texted me?”
“You, Rain and Luna. We still need to have a conversation before tomorrow night.”
“Is this about theSuccubus Club, again?”
“Yes, it is.”
“I might have a protective charm…”
“Keep that to yourself for the moment,” Dominic interrupted, engrossed in his own thoughts.
“Oh, okay,” So Stallion changed the subject, “That suit we’re getting made, could it have a pocket for hiding a wine bottle?”
“We’ll get to that later,” Dominic replied, his irritation showing.
Fortunately for Stallion, Eclipse and I arrived soon after. We found Dominic seated behind his desk, a serious but otherwise unreadable expression on his face. Gesturing to the empty seats, he did not bother with a preamble, but got down to business.
“Tomorrow night is going to be extremely important for your future. The Succubus Club is indeed just a party, a soiree. And at this soiree, you are going to be expected to behave yourself at the highest level.”
“Through tiny polite conversations you have with other people, there’ll be opportunities. Now you will be staying with me for an apprenticeship for at least thirty years. But after you’ve finished your thirty-year apprenticeship, you might want to go somewhere else. Your curiosity might draw you…anywhere in the world. And tomorrow night you will have an opportunity to speak with other kindred of all factions. You’ll have an opportunity to find your way into a future with one of those sects.”
“So, it is very important that you hold your demeanour and not use any of your vampire abilities.”
Already uncomfortable at the reminder of a lifetime’s apprenticeship with Dominic, I squirmed at the thought of not being able to see the spectacle of the Sucubus Club without Auspex. I said nothing. This was Dominic’s show, and I held my tongue. Stallion, on the other hand…
“So, don’t even use them before getting there?” It seemed our Stallion had a few plans of his own.
“Yes, do not have anything active,” Dominic replied, glowering. Turning back to Eclipse and I, he continued.
“Be kind, courteous and respectful of everybody. Because everybody there would be able to rip your head off in one go. They won’t do it, of course, but every bad note you leave behind you will be another domain you won’t be able to enter in the future.”
He turned to me in particular, “As much as your silver tongue can open certain doors, Rain, it can also shut them.” He warned, and I nodded silently.
“So remember, you’ll be making deals, don’t deal something you’re not willing to lose. And don’t make bargains for things you’re not willing to gain.”
He spent the next thirty minutes giving examples of how misunderstandings can occur between kindred from across centuries. Though they may be fixed in the era they grew up in, language and customs have moved on, and we could get caught in the miscommunication. It would mean nothing to an ancient kindred if we didn’t understand them; it could mean everything to us.
I appreciated the lecture. It was a useful reminder, and I took what I could from his wisdom. Still, I’d been swimming the waters of human society more than the other two combined and felt there was little I didn’t know about interpersonal communication. Vampire politics and society, on the other hand…thirty years may not be enough to cover it.
10.42 pm Tuesday, 8 hours until sunrise, 3 days until the S.C. Crow Bar
Lectures on language, deliberations on deals. We sat and listened to Dominic expound for forty minutes until he felt he’d bashed our ears long enough.
“Now, I have booked the tailors for the entire night if you wish to change your mind on the outfit you are to wear for the night. I will be visiting my Aunty and seeing if she’ll be going to the Club and if she wants an outfit made.”
“Any chance of me popping along with you to see Aunty?” I asked, then remembered his comment about not being family, “…Lucretia, I mean.”
“You can come along if you wish, “He said after an extended pause that made me wonder what he’d had in mind besides his spoken intent.
“Thank you,” I said, regardless, and I was grateful. That would be another small job completed, and hopefully some of those brownie points Dominic was at such pains to discuss.
“Any more questions before heading to the tailors?” He turned to the other two, but it was me who had a head full of queries and plans.
He looked to Stallion.
“Ah, you already said to drop the disciplines, so that’s alright,” Stallion replied, caught off guard by Dominic’s stare, “I was just going to have a bit of a backup plan…a top line bottle of wine in my suit jacket.”
“There will be beverages at the venue,” Dominic drawled, as if explaining a party to a child whose only ever been to a birthday party for a ten year old.
“Yeah, but this would be a gift sort of thing,” he explained, raising Dominic’s eyebrow.
“A gift? To the host?”
“No, it depends on the circumstances. It could just make me look nice.” At least he was thinking. Still, I would imagine Stallion’s idea of a good bottle of wine would be something around fifty dollars. To those who’d been alive when bottles now worth tens of thousands were first laid down, it would be like handing a bunch of weeds you’d plucked from their own garden. I admired the thought, but wasn’t sure what the outcome would yield.
Dominic rolled his eyes, “If you really want to shock everyone, Stallion, you could always change your demeanour. Talk eloquently.”
“Nah, I don’t want to sound too much like an uppity-nosed snob.” And it was my turn to roll my eyes.
Oh, brother, My Brother!
“Well, it would certainly surprise everybody,” Dominic replied with a dry laugh.
“Maybe it would throw people off their game,” Stallion said, seemingly taking Dominic’s advice to heart.
“It would certainly give you an advantage you don’t currently enjoy.”
As Stallion chewed over Dominic’s suggestion, he now turned his attention to Ecipse and me.
“Oh, please, “ I gestured to Eclipseto go first, “I don’t want to dominate; I have so many questions.”
10.42 pm Tuesday, 8 hours until sunrise, 3 days until the S.C. Crow Bar
Once again alone and drinking, Mads scanned the crowd. It had grown since she’d arrived, but the kin that had given them the package had not made an appearance. She did, however, spy Delith climb down the stairs and into the lounge, not as a staff member, but as a customer. She moved around the room, greeting acquaintances as Mads desperately looked around for an exit.
“Mads! What are you doing here all alone? Where’s everyone else?”
Oh fuck! “Hi. How are you, Delith?”
“I’ve been enjoying this, Marlo. Have you had one?” She raised her glass. It seemed half the lounge was enjoying the current vintage.
“Yes, lovely,” She tried smiling, but it came out like a snarl, “Look, I’m quite busy tonight. I’ve got a place to be…”
“Be? Where?” Fatal error, allowing Delith to think you’re doing something interesting.
“It’s just a little thing I’ve got to get sorted. I’ll…”
“A little thing?” Now Mads had Delith’s full attention, “Tell me?”
“I can’t. It’s a little job I did for a friend…look, I’ll tell you all about it later…okay?”
Delith silently scanned the crowd around them before turning back to Mads.
“No, tell me.”
“No,” Mads shook her auburn head, all signs of friendliness gone, “I’d really rather not.”
Delith’s social smile dropped, her eyes as predatory as the stray cats in the alley, “Tell me.”
It was like a switch had been turned on in Mad’s mind, and she couldn’t help but talk.
“In truth, I have nothing going on; I was wanted to get away from you.”
“Why would you do such a thing? I thought we were…acquaintances.”
Mads sighed, “It’s just that face, you know. It’s just that thing about you.”
“Hmm, we could do each other some favours and make it more beneficial.”
After the parcel incident, Mads was reluctant to do favours for unsavoury characters, “Hard pass, sorry. Not interested.”
“Or you can be alone like the sad sack of shit you are,” Delith smiled maliciously.
“Ah, I see,” Gloves off, Mads said, forgetting all pretense of being friendly, “So you know about that, do you? Of course, you’d know; desperately trying to get the boss’s attention.”
The smile turned down into a snarl, “I have his attention. That’s the problem.”
“Ha!” Mads barked a mirthless laugh, “You keep telling yourself that, Delith. Just keep telling yourself that and who knows, one day it may just come true.”
“Well,” Delith had not good comeback, and Mads took that as her chance to escape.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to see what the boss is doing. You see, I’m allowed to go into the office. Enjoy serving drinks, you floosy!”
Delith’s eyes widened, her nostrils flared in indignation. Mads had dared to belittle Delith’s sense of worth. Then almost as suddenly, Delith’s face softened, “Yes, you may leave. Go to Mr Giovanni.” And though it was exactly what she wanted to do, Mads was surprised when her body turned and started up the stairs. Her head felt…foggy…her senses not as sharp as she was used to. Still, she continued to climb up the stairs to Mr Giovanni’s office.
10.45 pm Tuesday, 8 hours until sunrise, 3 days until the S.C. Crow Bar
Stallion was deep in thought, and Eclipse didn’t seem to have too much to ask, so it was my moment under the adoptive sire’s gaze.
“Polite conversation; I have that covered. First, are there any prominent people you know who will be attending that I should be aware of? Their likes, dislikes? What would interest them?”
Thankfully, Dominic did not dismiss my question, but moved through to the library and searched the shelves, “There is a book called Encyclopedia Vampirica…” But he could not lay his hands on it.
“Ah, Aunty has it at the moment, “ He returned to the office and reclaimed his place behind the desk.
“ Apart from the Encyclopedia Vampirica…I couldn’t say. I don’t have a list of everyone who’d be attending. On that score, you will be flying by the seat of your pants. You will be…”
“In my element,” I nodded confidently, wishing I felt as confident as I sounded.
“You’ll have to find out information using your natural charm.”
“Exactly.”
“And your personality.”
“Precisely.”
So much for my first question.
I was about to ask my next question when Stallion interrupted.
“Speaking of which, I did find out some information on one person who will be there.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised that Stallion had bothered to find out such knowledge. So was Dominic.
“Oh, well done, Stallion.”
“Yeah, a woman named Tar-Anis, “ Stallion supplied, only to trip up on her second name, “Per-see-phone.”
“Persephone?” Dominic asked, making the lady sound like the Greek goddess she was and not a mobile for the deaf.
“Yeah, she works for Pentax Security. I believe she’s sixth generation.”
“Persephone, you will find, is a bodyguard to Harold Zettler, the chairman of Pentax Industries,” Dominic supplied, and I whistled low. Pentax was one of those multinational companies with a finger in pies all over the world. Much like Disney.
Dominic continued, “She’s a Malkavian of the Sabbat.”
I couldn’t help but respond to the mention of the Sabbat. I squirmed in my chair.
“I will be honest,” Stallion said, drawing attention away again, “You have Mads to thank for that information. She’s the one who made the deal; I just happened to be there.”
Mads. Well, at least that made sense.
“As to who will be there? I can not say. There will be people from all over the world…vampires…kindred.”
“Will there be other creatures other than kindred?” Stallion was full of questions tonight. Was my brother taking his position on kindred society seriously for a change?
“Very unlikely,” Dominic said and then reconsidered, “Unless of course they’re part of the entertainment. Sydney does have a very large population of werewolves. There is a small population of Eastern vampires, unrelated to Caine and his kin.”
“Do we need to keep an eye on the Eastern Vampires?” Trust Stallion to bring up a race card.
“I don’t think so. This is Elysium. Once you’re there, you abide by its very strict rules. No one will be hiding anything. Everyone will present themselves as they are.”
So, you needn’t fear the Eastern Vampires more than anyone else there. I wondered if that’s what Izac was.
“Don’t speak until spoken to… Agree with whatever they say…treat them like the old coots they are…” Stallion added to the rules, showing the subtlety of a sledgehammer.
“Ah…” What about treating someone as you’d like to be treated? How about showing a little respect for those older and more powerful than yourself? How about using honey instead of vinegar? But my interjection was overruled.
“Yes, they may take offence to being contradicted,” Dominic agreed.
“Exactly.”
I nearly dispaired.
“Excuse me, gentleman,” I finally squeezed a word into the brofest manifesting in front of me, “You happened to mention the Sabbat? What are your plans in relation to them?”
A pin could have dropped.
“What do you mean?” Dominic asked sharply.
What did I mean? I took a habitual breath and tried to put my thoughts in a logical order.
“I now know why we’re here. You’ve got to have guessed, Mr Giovanni.”
Mr Giovanni leaned back in his chair, a sure sign he was going to have to deal with something unsavoury. Unfortunately, I think that was me.
“No, tell me. Why are you here?”
“Well, we’re Shovelhead, aren’t we?” I couldn’t help keep the bitterness out of my voice. It was the Sabbat and their machination, but it was also Garcia and his abandonment all over again. “It’s a well-known Sabbat tactic to plant neonates in places without guidance. We’re made with the express purpose of causing trouble, and upseting kindred society. We were made as some sort of plot the Sabbat have underway, culminating at the Succubus Club.”
“Now, I for one am very pleased that you and the Prince stymied our roles, and I do not intend to be part of any more Sabbat shenanigans. So, while we’re all here together…do we have a plan going forward?”
More silence.
“Maybe you shouldn’t mention the Sabbat,” Stallion said helpfully. This is what comes from Dominic encouraging him to think, “Better the less you know and all that. Unless you think it can help with a deal.”
“I’m not talking about deals, Stallion. I’m talking about the destabilisation of kindred society, the fall of government structures. The Sabbat’s takeover of the Sydney domain. The Sabbat are in town, and they are warmongers.”
“They’ve always been in town,” Dominic replied, seemingly brushing aside my concerns.
“But you have to admit there’s been a great deal of unusual activity, and it all points at the Succubus Club,” I insisted. Was I the only paranoid, conspiracy theorist here? Or did Sydneysiders feel they were immune to the wars and bitterness that plagued the rest of the world?
More silence. This time longer.
“Has there not been?” I asked the group, trying to elicit…something, “Please, inform me otherwise. I would be glad to be wrong on this point.”
“It would be very foolish to try anything at the Succubus Club,” Dominic finally said, but he didn’t deny my fears.
“I would have thought that, while the whole of kindred society was together, would be the exact time to do it.”
“Don’t you think the Nosferatu wouldn’t know something was up?” Eclipse spoke up, the first since we’d arrived, “They watch everyone.”
“The Nosferatu will do well either way,” Though I had to admit they did well under the Prince here in Sydney. Surely, the status quo was as good for them as it was for Mr Giovanni.
“I think you may have misunderstood what I meant by Shovelheads…” Dominic began.
Oh no, he’d meant it as a derogatory term to belittle us. There was no misunderstanding on that score.
“I didn’t get this idea from you, sir. You’ve been…polite about the facts of our creation.”
“Most shovelheads come clawing their way out of the ground, thirsty, confused and with no idea what is happening to them. Some don’t even realise they’re vampires. And,” he paused, stressing the word, “they’re usually buried very close to where they can cause the most trouble.”
Could that be said for Milk Beach? A quiet little suburb for the rich and influential?
“Shovelhead, you may have been when you were created, but you are not now.”
“Ah, “ I said, hearing my argument fall into place, “That’s because of the Prince and you. You met us on the beach, gave us our first blood and took us in. You gave us the chance to be ourselves.”
Dominic’s lips twitched into what might have been a genuine smile. “I thank you for the recognition.”
“It is well justified,” I nodded, “And I don’t intend to waste the opportunity you’ve given. Regardless of it being very clear, to me, that our three sires are Sabbat…or at least dealing with them. I have no idea why Garcia would be working with the Sabbat, but he made me for a reason.”
”Or that’s just the lie you tell yourself.” Eclipse said under lidded eyes, not even attempting to look at me.
I know my lies, I thought as Dominic regained control of the room. Do you, my sister? What lies have your new friends told you.
“I have a feeling that White Shark is more freelance to me,” Stallion said, proving my point.
“Rain, do you consider me to be your adoptive sire?” It was one of those questions meant to gain acceptance.
“Yes, of course. But it has to be acknowledged that Garcia made me for his own reasons, and I believe those are in line with the plans of the Sabbat.”
“Well, while you are under my roof and partaking of my tutelage, and as long as you consider yourself under me, we will defer to the wisdom of my family.”
“We are not part of the struggle between the Sabbat and the Camarilla. We do not participate in the Jihad. We have much better things to do than fight kindred over…theology and false power.”
“Even if they mean to overthrow a Prince?” I asked, genuinely curious. He’d never spoken about the family like this before. He’d always been at pains to keep the Giovanni’s and us separate. I wondered if the rest of vampire society would think as he did about our status.
“Even if they mean to overthrow a Prince,” He acknowledged, “If there is an exchange of power, then I will be staying out of it. My family has a long-standing agreement, dating back centuries, under the Convention of Thorns. We do not interfere. We’re an independent clan. We do not get involved in anyone else’s business. And they do not interfere in ours.” The last said with such finality that I knew Dominic wanted th discussion closed.
“The best way for you to foil the fact that you were shovelheads is to live well and not participate.”
“I don’t intend to.” I agreed, in theory. “That’s why I wanted discussions on….how to move forward. How not to be their…pawns.”
Dominic straightened, and I knew some edict we were expected to follow was about to be pronounced.
“If, during the party, a fight breaks out, keep your eyes open, be aware, but do not participate. If you have to, exit and return to the car. Give Bruce a call to get you out of there.”
I wasn’t imagining a fight. I expect it will be subtle, quiet and…deadly. As to Bruce getting us out. He could, but we’d have to make it worth his while, I’m sure. I had a very bad feeling that we might be alone in this.
“If you want to survive a Jihad, “ Dominic continued, “You will have to get acquainted with those players.”
Right. Find the players. And I knew just who to talk to first.
“Yes, sir.”
In the lull that followed, there was a small tapping at the office door.
“Before I answer the door, Rain, are there any more questions?” Dominic asked.
“Oh, I’m sure I can pick your brain on the trip over to Pyrmont.” I’d said my peace. The rest, as Dominic rightly said, I could find out for myself.
He turned to Eclipse, sitting silently, staring at her hands.“Luna? Any questions?”
“No, sir.”
“Sydney’s been good for a long time,” And there was the assumption I was most afraid of. Things are great, why would they change? From personal experience, I knew better. Dominic crossed the room and opened the door to reveal Mads, peering in at the four of us. “Ah, Mads. What can I do for you?”
“Um…if it’s possible, I’d like to look at your video surveillance, please,” She asked, stepping into the room, the door closed behind. I could see her quick mind assess the scene. She would have loved to have been a fly on the wall during our latest discussion.
“I’m afraid that’s no. That will not be possible.”
“Not possible?” She replied, taken aback.
“The security of my clients is my paramount concern. That is for your safety as well.”
“Understood,” she replied, disappointed.
“If I can back Mads up,” Stallion interjected, “There is a person of interest that even I’m a bit curious about.”
A person they were both interested in? The two of them working together? What had these two been up to?
Dominic raised his hands to stifle any more discussion on the topic, “If there are concerns, talk to Bruce about who it is, and he’ll get someone to check it out. Other than that individual looking at the recordings, I’m afraid the answer will always be no .I don’t want anyone of you going in that room.”
Thanks, Mads, I thought bitterly. Before that pronouncement, I could have got in and found out what she wanted to know with the excuse that I did not know it was out of bounds. Now, I would be going against his express word.
It wouldn’t be the first time, a mutinous part of me smirked.
“Okay, I’ll talk to Bruce then,” Mads agreed.
“Hope you have better luck than me,” Stallion said.
“Hmm? Sorry? Sorry, my heads been really…foggy since getting away from Delith.” Mads seemed miles away, and it wasn’t just me who noticed.
“Foggy?” Eclipse asked, “You talked to Delith?”
“Yeah, she was downstairs in the lounge.”
“She’s not allowed down there,” Eclipse whipped around in defence of Mads, and frankly, us.
If Dominic felt he needed to do something, he gave no impression. Instead, he grabbed his phone from his desk, checking for his keys.
“Rain, are you ready to go?”
“Yes, sir. Thank you.” I stood to follow him out the door.
“Rain, text me when you’re at the tailor’s?” Eclipse also stood and joined Mads, ” I’ll be down later.”
“Can I tag along?” Mads asked, and though she did look…lonely, I didn’t want to try to explain Lucretia and the Pyrmont house to her. As much as I sympathised, I did not trust her with that information. I looked to Eclipse, who was ready with an answer.
“Besides clearing your head?”
“A walk would certainly help with that.”
“Is Madeline invited to the tailor’s?”
“No, it’s fine,” Mads looked very uncomfortable at the offer, “I’ll sort myself out for the club. There’ll be a Salvos open somewhere.”
“No,” Both Eclipse and I said at the same time.
“Join Eclipse for the walk to the tailors. I know you would be enchanting, properly dressed.” She pulled a thread for her jacket, and it began to unravel, “Not that you aren’t beautiful now, of course. A beautiful evening gown makes a pretty girl a princess.”
Mads snorted, “Do I look like a princess?”
“We’ll get you dressed up, relax,” Eclipse added as Dominic suggested something with embroidered butterflies.
“The best thing about clothes is you can be whoever you want in them,” I said with conviction. I’d made a life out of it. “Join Eclipse at the tailor. My shout.”
“Oh, if it’s your money, then.” She smiled broadly at the thought of making me pay through the nose. Hey, what was sixty thousand dollars for?
11.30 pm Tuesday, 7 hours until sunrise, 3 days until the S.C. Various
We took the limo to Harris Street. It seemed it was Dominic’s intent to have Lucretia join us at the tailors.
One more bit of gossip for the clever Mads, I thought.
After the meeting, Eclipse and Mads planned to go down to the V.I.P. room to wait for my text, but Stallion had ideas of his own.
“I’m going to get in touch with a contact if anyone wants to join me,” He said, pulling out his phone, “I want to organise some joints. What are you doing, Eclipse?”
“Hmm, killing some time,” She said, leaning into Mads, “What do you want Mads? Go with me later or with Stallion? You haven’t poured a drink over my head, yet.”
“Sure, I can ruin that hair for you,” Mads smiled, “We’ll catch you there, Stallion. Eventually.”
Delith was still in the lounge when Eclipse and Mads arrived.
“Ignore her,” Eclipse whispered, crossing the room to the bar.
Mads tried keeping the growing crowd between her and Delith, but luck wasn’t with her that night.
“Come here,” Mads felt more than heard. Eclipse turned to see Mads stumbling gracelessly towards Delith.
“Mads…Madeline…” Eclipse grabbed her friend’s arm, but it was like Mads was no longer there.
“Back so soon?” Delith said to Mads as Eclipse death stared here across the lounge.
“I got what I needed done,” Mads replied, much like her usual self. Eclipse looked on, trying to think if she knew a way to break the domination.
“What’s Eclipse doing?”
“Getting a drink, I suppose.”
“Invite her over,” Delith commanded.
Eclipse glanced around the room, hoping to find someone she knew. Though the lounge was busy, she didn’t see anyone, and eventually, she couldn’t ignore Mad’s genuinely friendly gestures, behind her eyes, the terror at the loss of control.
Oh Lord! Eclipse mumbled and walked over to Mads and Delith, “Are you going to hog Mads all night?”
“Well,” Delith said close and low so only they could hear, “Just between us girls, you take what you want and leave the rest.”
“Last time I checked, she wasn’t your type.”
“No, but there are other things to feed on. Knowledge, trade, secrets…”She smiled, but it never reached her dark eyes.
“And what’s a stray from Circular Quay going to tell you?”
“Oh, you never know. We all pick up fleas.”
Quietly, and without fanfare, Eclipse raised the blood and looked deep within Delith’s soul to see the sin lying there. Instead of the person who was Delith, Eclipse saw her myriad of character flaws, the delusion of grandeur, her ambitious nature, and her desire to kill, just for the fun of it.
She wanted to be adored…and enjoyed killing for it.
“Well, you know, Delith, I’m sure you miss mixing drinks down here…and I can testify to how wonderful you are at making them. Perhaps if we were to go upstairs, you could make Madeline and me a nice one?”
“I get to choose the drink?” Delith’s plastered-on smile softened to become something almost genuine, “See as I am an expert mixologist. I’ll make a drink to put that Kiasyd to shame.”
“Of course. I would expect nothing less, “ Eclipse graciously agreed.
“I suppose I’ll relinquish whatever hold I have on Mads, if you will indulge me,” And she leaned in close and whispered in Mads’ ear.
“Write down anything you say for me.”
Eclipse dropped her eyes, so as not to give away that she heard the whole thing, and together they climbed the stairs to the common room.
Stallion was already on the phone to Nightrider.
“Yeah?”
“Hey, it’s me, Stallion.”
“How ya doin’there my little ball of flesh?”
Stallion was thrown for a moment. What did Nightrider mean by that?
“Pretty alright. I was thinking about the Succubus Club, and I was thinking it would be a more enjoyable with a bit of substance. A few joints.”
“Anything else? Something more potent, maybe?”
“Such as…?” For all Stallion’s drug use, his experience at the wide variety was limited.
“Some of these old-timers don’t mind a little opium.”
“To suck up to them…sure…”
“Sure. I’ll make you some Christmas trees.” Stallion had no idea what Nightrider was talking about, but it sounded good to him. Festive even.
“Now, I don’t need it now. If you need a night to secure the good stuff, I’m good until the Club.”
“Sure, what are you going to get for me?”
“What do you want? Money or…”
“I could do a minor boon…”
“Sure…”
“Of my choosing?”
“Within reason.”
“Of course!” Nightrider replied sharply. His limit of being friendly with Stallion was met, “Where do you want to get it?”
“I could come to you.” And Nightrider gave Stallion directions to Little Bay Beach.
Retrieving the motorbike from the carpark, Stallion headed out to make his deal.
Meanwhile, Dominic and I were pulling up outside Pyrmont. As I opened my door to exit the car, Dominic waved me back, “Stay here, I”m going to be quick.”
“I’m joining you.”
“We’re not stopping for questions.”
“I have something to give her,” I checked my pocket, and the slug of ghost goo was still there.
“It can’t wait for her to get to the car?” He was peeved that I was sharing his limelight. It didn’t get any better when the door creaked open, and Lucretia was standing there watching us both.
“Hello, Aunt Lucretia,” Dominic pivoted and put on his best family smile.
“Hello, nephew. What do I owe this visit?”
“We’re off to the tailors to look at evening dress for the Succubus Club. I was wondering if you’d like to join us?”
“Sure, and I see you’ve brought your childe.” Yes, I was cramping his style. Like taking the four-year-old on a date, “And how are you doing? Looking for morsels?”
“Good evening,” I was careful to avert my eyes in case the Lady was watching. I’m a polite four-year-old. I retrieved the slub from my pocket and handed it to her. “Actually, I have one for you. As promised.”
She looked it over, inspecting something that was lost to me before it disappeared into a pocket of her dress, “Oh, interesting. You delivered. Careful, nephew, this one is honest…enough.”
“I’d say this one is the most promising of the three,” Dominic agreed, and for someone with little experience at parental acceptance, the comments sent a thrill through my system.
Lucretia, much to Dominic’s disgust, turned to me, “Could you do this again, by chance?”
“If the situation presents itself. I don’t get too many spirits attacking my friends or me, ” I replied honestly.
She frowned and shrugged, “Only in self-defence…I can work with that. Good, there’s some use in that, and I will ask you about it in the future.”And I felt a different chill, imagining what my next lesson with her may entail.
“I was wondering,” Dominic interjected, reclaiming his Aunt’s attention, if you’d like to get yourself an evening dress, even if you aren’t joining us at the Succubus Club.”
“Sounds nice. How is your tailor with…more organic products?”
Dominic smiled, showing a little pride in his choice of tailors, My tailor does do requests.”
“So if I gave him…say…sixteen feet of skin, he could make me something?”
“Certainly. He’s worked with many materials in the past.”
“Do I need to be…lowkey?”
“Once inside his store, you can be as blatant as you like.”
Lucretia’s eyes lit up, “Splendid. When were you thinking of going?”
“We’re on our way. I brought the limousine.” Yes, he was desperate to impress. I’d say he was in love…but we’re talking about Dominic Giovanni…though it would align with their reputation.
“Could you give me ten minutes to acquire the materials?” She asked, as if intending to drop down the local haberdashers.
“Certainly.”
Dominic and I entered the lounge, taking up residence while Lucretia left via the front door. We sat in silence for ten minutes as three people ceased to exist and were never seen again, or they would be; on her. When she returned, a long piece of fresh-cut skin lay draped over one arm.
“Excellent!” Dominic said, leading the way back to the car, and holding open the door for his Aunty.
“Rain, are you coming?” He asked.
“I wouldn’t miss it,” I replied, closing shut the door of the old Pyrmont house and joining Lucretia.
12.00 am Wednesday, 6 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. Crow Bar
Eclipse and Mads drank the drinks supplied by Delith with good grace. Fawning over her good taste and skill as a mixologist had mollified her somewhat. Once the drinks were delivered, she left the two of them to their misery. Mads was actually enjoying hers, still under Delith’s Dominate. She’d grabbed a stack of napkins and pen from staff and between sips was writing down everything said. Eclipse, on the other hand, was watching the clock. The delay with Lucretia meant Eclipse was waiting on a text that never arrived.
AT THE TAILOR YET? She finally sent and was ready when my response arrived, not long after.
ON ROUTE. SEE YOU THERE.
“Finish your drink. It’s time to go,” Eclipse said, leaving her own glass behind.
“Absolutely,” Mads quickly scrawled what Eclipsed said before polishing off her own drink and following Eclipse out the door.
The air was heavy. Christmas was close, and the humidity in Sydney was a creature to itself, all paws and heavy breathing. They walked around the corner to Norton Street. They spoke sbout nothing consequential, but everything, no matter how mundane, was documented for Delith’s edification.
“What am I going to do with you Mads?” Eclipse said, almost laughing at the lengths Mads was going to get every word down.
“I-don’t-quite-know,” Mads articulated as she wrote.
“How is your head?”
“Still-a-bit-foggy, but-it-will-go-away-in-time-I’m-sure.”
“Just stop writing on your skin. Turn over the napkin if you’ve run out of room.”
“No-I-need-more-napkins,” She started another note in the corner of her current napkin, “Shopping-list. Napkins.”
“Come on, or we’ll never get to the tailors.”
“This-sucks-by-the-way.”
“That’s compulsions for you. Next time, you may listen when we tell you about Delith.” Eclipse gave in and waved down a taxi.
“So-does-it-get-lonely-in-the-big-city?”
“That’s irony coming from you.”
“I-just-want-to-give-Delith-something-juicy. Some-big-drama-so she-feels-like-she-has-the-upper-hand.”
“Have you ever thought you might be the drama?”
1.47 am Wednesday, 4 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. Crow Bar
Stallion rode up to Little Bay Beach carpark to the sound of the breakers crashing against the shore somewhere in the dark. Also out there in the dark was Nightrider, living up to his name, surfing when most other surfers would fear to enter the water. Seeing the motorbike’s lights, he rode a set into shore and met Stallion on the beach.
“Thanks for that, mate,” Nightrider said, shaking sandy hands with Stallion, “I was worried you’d ‘dine and dash’ on me.”
“Why the fuck would I do that?” Stallion replied, “You have the product.”
Nightrider shrugged, “Ah, some people think they’re owed a free meal,” and he pointed to a black velcro bag waiting for Stallion on the sand.
Stallion picked it up and felt its weight. There were some good times ahead with its contents.
“I don’t want you coming after me or calling the vampire police, or whatever. With people so powerful, you’d better not make enemies.”
“Exactly,” Nightrider smiled, his white teeth almost the only things visible in the night, “So we’ll talk about that little boon later.”
Nightrider made to leave, “Anything else you need? I’m going to catch some more waves.”
“You go ahead. You look like you’re enjoying yourself. Maybe one day we can catch some waves together.” Stallion said, though being from the Minto, he’d lived a life forty kilometres from decent surf and never learned, “Are the waves good here?”
“Yeah, they’re very good.” Not offering a spot on his wave.
“I’ll have to practise. Don’t want to look like a complete idiot in front of you.”
“Hmm.”
With Nightrider’s noncommittal response, Stallion mounted his bike, waved farewell and left to join the rest of us at the tailors.
12.20 am Wednesday, 6 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. Crow Bar
Lucretia, Dominic and I were first to arrive. Dominic, once more acting the gentleman, ran around to get Lucretia’s door so she could sail through, trailing her sixteen feet of human skin.
WE ARE HERE, he send a text to the tailor who opened the door for his prestigious guests.
“Ah, good, good. How can I help?” The tailor asked, eyeing us all critically.
“Suits for tomorrow, plus a special order for the lovely lady here.”
“Hmm, what did you bring?” The tailor asked, now taking in the ‘fabric’ Lucretia had brought, with some surprise.
“Just a little something,” Lucretia, equally silver-tongued as her nephew, stepped up and handed over the skin, “I’m sure a man of your skills and talent could do something with this.” I was disconcerted when the skin squelched when handed over, but the tailor didn’t seem ruffled.
“Yes, yes. The rest of you, please, come in.”
Eclipse and Mads arrived not long after and joined Dominic and I at the front of the shop as Lucretia and the tailor discussed her dress out the back. I browsed the clothes on racks, comparing what I knew of Eclipse and Mads with what was on offer.
Eclipse scanned through the clothes on display, but Mads looked out of place, standing back and not even looking at what was on offer.
“Maybe start with some new everyday clothes and work from there.” I pulled a couple of baby-doll gothic dresses that Eclipse took a fancy to.
“How about you? Do you have your suit?” Dominic asked, me.
“Oh, I’ve had mine for a while. Even had it modified to fit Lupara. You still think it’s a good idea to take her?”
“No one will fault you for carrying a piece. It doesn’t mean you have to pull it out.”
Lupara, as a sawn-off shotgun, was a little more than a piece, but I accepted Dominic’s judgement and made a note to say no more about it.
Dominic himself, on the other hand, seemed to have gone mad. He pulled out a cotton medieval shirt, a slim-line vest and trousers that looked like they belonged on a rockabilly, all matched up with a long-line coat lined with buttons from the 1600s. I guessed he was trying to appeal to as many of the old-timers at the Club as possible, without appealing to anyone. My suit, on the other hand, said something about me that I believed everyone could interpret.
Vestis virum facit, or for the modern world, the clothes make the man.
Mads was starting to come round to the idea of owning something nice to wear, but turned up her nose at the dresses on offer.
I showed her to a section with more business clothes, “ Tailor can make something in any material. A beautiful blue brocade would go with your auburn hair.”
Digging around, she found a man’s tuxedo, tailored to fit a feminine figure and winced at the price.
“It’s two thousand dollars.”
I shrugged, “It’s about the person you want to portray, Mads. Who do you want to be? If that suit is it…go for it,”
“It’s a lie, but I guess it will work, “ and she was soon in search of a pair of stilettos to match.
All clothes are a lie, I thought to myself, but with this group, I didn’t want to muddy the waters with truths.
2.15 and 41 seconds am Wednesday, 6 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. Tailors
Stallion arrived late into the visit. As he’d already been in the office when we arrived for the chat, I hadn’t seen his feet, and certainly didn’t pay much attention to his face. He now limped in on small neat hooves only just hidden by this voluminous robes, and wearing a face that was only reminiscent of his original features.
“Stallion? What the…what have you done to yourself?”
“What do you mean, what have I done to myself?” Could he really be so oblivious to hooves? Or was he really turning into his namesake.
“You…have…hooves! You have a limp and …your face is weird.”
“Oh, the hooves…I woke up like that,” He replied just as casually as if he’d awoken with a large zit on his chin.
“You woke up with hooves!? That can happen?!” And I used to worry about male pattern baldness.
“I think it’s one of those clan weaknesses Dominic was saying.”
“That doesn’t happen to Toreadors, does it? Mr Giovanni? Tell me that doesn’t happen to Toreadors!”
“No, your clan weakness is more fixating on something you find beautiful,” Dominic assured me, and I accepted his word. Fixating on the beautiful didn’t sound much like a weakness to me.
“Hey, that’s a point. Maybe the tailor can do something with my hooves,” Stallion said and went in search of the tailor.
I thought they should be made into glue.
2.30 am Wednesday, 6 hours until sunrise, 2 days until the S.C. Tailors
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.
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 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.
Vaulderie: A ritual where Kindred swear loyalty to each other.
A Strange Life 