Knowledge

[Storyteller]

Every
She was bleeding again. The sight of the murky red substance still something Every hadn't quite coped with as it dried against her shirt, clinging to her skin. Every now and then, as if it were trying to turn back into the full black inky substance, it would splash against the air. Whatever was happening to her, Every was sure it had to do with what happened down in the throne room. Her hand pressing against the wound that she couldn't heal before she crouched to collect another custom gun. Reanna had already given her the heads up to move up. Kirill was on the door. There was another team around, she'd seen them and slipped in and out of shadows mostly. Her doppelganger kept an eye out for her, as did Zachary.

Jesse Fforde
Jesse had seen others, too, but he'd paid them no mind. These exercises, for him, were not so much about the prize but about the bonding -- the practice it provided his small family to hone their skills in a semi-controlled environment. The wounds they received were not all life-threatening, but enough to teach them that though it hurt, they would heal. Jesse himself was sporting numerous bullet holes to the abdomen but he ignored them; he had the power and ability to heal them, but saved his energy for someone else, should they require it. Someone who... well, wasn't Every, at this point in time, despite the fact she looked like she needed it when he eventually stumbled across her. When there was nothing much to say, Jesse wasn't the kind of person to fill a silence. So he merely nodded and wandered down the hall.

Every
When Every saw Jesse, there was no glare or scowl. The two were on better terms, something that she wasn't entirely sure was a good idea, but given her current circumstances... "It was a vampire behind the door that the key opened." Every said as he passed her, pulling at her shirt before she straightened up, "It's not entirely something that's been processed which is why I hadn't contacted you - or anyone, really, in a willing manner. She wanted human blood and not everyone was willing to give it to her without knowing the full story." She started as she adjusted the bag over her shoulder. If it'd interest him, she'd explain it more, or show him in that weird way she hadn't quite figured out how to. She'd only done it to Micah and Reanna, although the latter had been entirely on accident and in a panic.

Jesse Fforde
Jesse paused, then turned. He was dressed in black, as was his habit during these exercises; black jeans, black boots, a black tank. All covered in blood, but it couldn't be seen. A keycard was tucked into his pocket, his weapons away -- he hadn't needed them for the ritual. He'd been on his way to find the others. "And what happened to her? The vampire? What did she tell you?" he asked, eyes gleaming, that thirst he had for knowledge clear and abundant.

Every
The wall behind her was a false one and Every chose to step to the side before leaning against it. "She was freed, in the end, but I died before I made my decision despite what others have decided to declare - I was willing to go either way, and I'm saying this because not many seem to get it into their thick skulls." A frown played across her lips at this, "She offered us each a question. Sealing the doorway would weaken our kind. She told us that she'd be willing to show us how to better prepare ourselves as vampires. Opening it would give us strength. Power. Both answers didn't give us enough to go on because it was clear she was hiding something after the memories she showed us." She said slowly, eyeing him. If anything, she seemed more paranoid. Concerned. Her weapons weren't drawn, but her stance screamed defensive. "She was asked what she intended to do if she was helped, and she told us that she intended to work on her creations - like the new species of mooncalf. She also said she'd be in contact with us, but I haven't heard anything since."

Jesse Fforde
If anything could be read from Jesse's stance, it wasn't anything but envy. He shouldn't be envious; whatever had been done down there was what he himself would have done. But had Every been shown memories of an ancient?! "She's free?" he asked, just to clarify. He'd taken a step closer. He could have been sympathetic -- Every had died. But death wasn't a huge deal to their kind. If she knew him at all, she'd know that he wouldn't see her death as a huge deal. She was here now. And Jesse had seen the different creatures out there, in the world. And he still hadn't got a clear answer. "So she was helped?" he asked. He might have drooled with the information he was given; he wanted nothing more than to find this vampire. Even if she killed him. "What question did you ask?"

Every
"I wanted to know what would happen if the rift would be opened. It was a question I wasted my breath on because she didn't give me everything I wanted to hear. I like specifics and details. Not ******** to what I want to hear." She said with a shrug of the shoulder. "Ariadne was there, she shot at the mummy vamp. Theodosia, is her name. Freyja - blonde chirpy allurist. She was in Nix's line, I don't know if you know her. Nishaa adopted her. She was there, shot the bullet somehow. Deadeye, I'd think. Some dude, I'll not remember his name for the life of me." She paused, frowning. "Would you rather see it all?"

Jesse Fforde
Ariadne. It'd been ages since Jesse had seen Ariadne; he'd not even known she was still around, much less attending invite-only parties given by ancient vampires. Jesse figured that an Ancient who'd been locked up for god knows how long might have some right to be vague. Theodosia -- he'd been about to ask that question, too. A name. If he had a name, his search would be easier. Still, his questions weren't answered but he could at least surmise, and wouldn't repeat them. He wasn't a fan of repeating himself. Rather than say anything at all, he just nodded. If she had the ability to show him, then yes. He would like to see.

Every
"...A warning because I don't know if you'll get the headache I did, when I appraised her, it gave me a massive headache. She was powerful, Jesse, even immobile. The owner of Bancroft... I think she's his sire, or something like that. Their auras are similar." She frowned, "And you won't be able to follow the path I did down there, I don't recall most of it." After a few moments, Every meddled around in her own brain. Focusing. Thinking on how she'd shown Reanna and Micah. Both times were tapped on emotions, primarily anger from the lies and ignorance of others. Instead, she moved it as if it were mindspeak, pushing her memory of the event, the telepathics between the group, the conversations with Amalea. All were honest, remembered clear. Her conversations with Locryn. "I told Locryn to protect and obey Amalea. I didn't tell her to open the rift and give Theodosia her blood."

Jesse Fforde
Jesse cared naught about any headache he might get. The knowledge would be worth the pain. The influx was, at first, confusing. It was muddled and bright and foreign, and he closed his eyes, frowning, so as to better capture it. Indeed, a headache did form somewhere behind his eyes but that didn't matter. Small fish, compared to some of the wounds he'd sustained in the past. "Well you should have," he said eventually, blinking as he opened his eyes to the here and now. "Why do you keep defending yourself? It's like you think I'm going to be angry with you if you helped her. Of course you should have helped her..." he said. Hadn't they already had this conversation? Hadn't he already tried to convince Every of something similar before she even went down into that cave?

Every
She gave a soft shake of her head, "With the exception of Micah and my childer, no one has bothered to hear me out. I didn't think it should have been opened because of the amount of information given, but I was fine either way, as you saw. Part of me says this is the better way to go instead of pissing off an ancient vampire by killing her. The other part says locking the door behind us might have been the best route." Her hazel eyes studied him once again. "It isn't you in particular I'm weary of, it's everyone other than a few at the moment. I've been called a liar when I haven't lied in years, and that's actually pretty much the nicest way to put it. There's more to the story that has been shared on CrowNet by Ripper, yet no one has bothered to hear it before jumping to conclusions."

Jesse Fforde
Jesse laughed. He shouldn't have, but it clearly wasn't a mirthful laugh. It was fueled by bitterness. "I know how that goes. All I can suggest is to ignore them and move on with your life," he said. He'd tried to do that himself, but the assholes had hunted him down. At least, now, they left him alone. Every mentioned Micah, too, which meant the two were still thick as thieves. A cousin be who'd once pledged loyalty but had dropped Jesse in the dirt when Jesse needed him most. And Every, who'd believed others rather than taking to Jesse himself. Yeah, he knew how it felt. It reminded Jesse of where he stood. It reminded Jesse of his and Every's past, despite the bridge they'd mended, it was still flimsy. Over his shoulder, he heard a noise -- he heard his name being called. He was needed. "Thanks for sharing," he said. "I'd happily defend you, should anyone drag your name through the mud -- though I do think this is the best outcome. I have to go. I'll see you around," he said, reaching out to squeeze Every's shoulder. Reassurance, he supposed.

Every
Every gave him a mild look as he laughed. A warning look, that she wasn't in the mood to be mocked. A bloodied hand was lifted to show she'd heard him in a small salute. "You're about three weeks short of that, as it's already been a work in progress. But I appreciate the sentiment." She offered him a weak smile, nothing more, nothing less afterwards. The reassurance was appreciated and she would admit she did feel a lot better. She'd been keeping a lot of it in, she was still keeping a lot of it in. She still had to meet up with Alexandrea, too. "Later, Jesse."




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This thread was submitted via a live roleplay chat in the Goldnest Hall F5 area. Participants and rewards were: Every earned 1523 RPP. Jesse Fforde earned 1164 RPP.