A Message For The People

[Gideon Barnes (DELETED 8781)]

[against_peace][/against_peace]

Christmas was one of the best times of the year-the entire process of it, in Gideon's mind. Preparing for the coming of the savior during the weeks of Advent, the day of and even the New Year. This time was his favorite, so when the Christmas music started to play on the radio of his car, Gideon didn't do like most people and try to find a different station. He relished in it. One day, all would be right in the world; no more vampires, no more zombies, and no more monsters in the world.

When a new song came on as he sat at a stop light, "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree,' by Brenda Lee, Gideon turned it up and then realized he better get his *** moving. While Christmas wasn't about presents, people still liked them and sort of expected them. He had three kids now, and then there was Mona, his sister and brother. Maybe Esli could help him pick out some gifts this year for the women, and he in return could help him-if Esli needed it. Judging by their strong marriage, Gideon figured Esli knew just what to get his wife-so he would be helping him more than Gideon would be helping his brother.

When he got to the location of where the RV and his brother and sister called home, he turned down the music, only out of courtesy. He wasn't going to turn it off, his spirits were too high to want to turn off anything that might come on the air in regards to their Lord and Savior. He glanced to the large metal beast that contained his brother and sister, didn't see them, so gave them a warning honk. Leaving the car running, Gideon stepped out, zipped up his coat and headed to the door of the RV and gave it a good rap. "Brother!" Gideon cupped his hands and blew some heat into them from his warm breath, before calling out again. "Sister! The night is young and there is much to do." Then, as they did to his own home, Gideon tried the doorknob and twist it open. His eyes fell on a kitchen counter and then a table, where Oliver was helping himself to something in a bowl. "Oliver." Gideon scolded the small monkey, wagging his finger at it, before chuckling. "It's a cool night. Make sure to dress warm." He stated, once his eyes came to rest on his brother, and then finally his sister.

[Esli Barnes]

[against_peace][/against_peace]

Lasair appeared with a welcoming halo of green wrapped around her neck. It served as a compliment to the natural born fire in her hair. It didn’t end there. Of course it set off the desire within him to slip his fingers into the lush silk that framed her face and to pull her close. Which he did. A woman such as Lasair was impossible to resist and not to love. He swore on his own soul he would never even try to deny her. His hands found her face and gently guided it to his own. Ignoring the squeak of protest coming from the fur covered creature that had no say he kissed her once then released her. The sounds of Gideon’s vehicle arriving confirmed they were ready just in time.

“Pudding it is.” He stretched a hand out to brush the defiant strand of hair clinging to her lashes thanks to his temporary and impulsive intrusion. “None for Oliver. After his birthday sundae and that mess it created I think I will pack him the usual.”

Esli went about doing that quickly and it was a good thing. Just as soon as he retrieved the fruit sections snack pack from the micro-fridge and pulled out a snack size raisins box to zip up in the ‘Jesus Saves’ thermal soft pack Gideon appeared. Any fast moves the tiny terror has planned were cancelled out with the typical greetings and a ‘do not even think about it’ wave of a finger to Oliver. It proved successful as the pint sized trouble maker stopped in his mischievous tracks.

“Welcome once again, brother.”

Esli took possession of the gloves that Lasair reminded him would be in need. Oliver took the opportunity to bounce across shoulders and ultimately nestle his fur coat against the back of Gideon’s neck. The move had its ulterior motives as the monkey's tail went into that menacing sweep and loose curl. Soon the tiny fingers on the creature appeared from behind Gid’s head and slapped over each of the paladin’s eyes. Oliver let out an excited squeal as he bounced on the back of the man’s neck.

“There is no question you are loved.” Esli paused as he made his way around his brother and the fun sized monkey. “Uncle Gideon expects you to behave.” His arms wrapped around Lasair long enough to guide her to the door. “Allow me…” Even if his sentence was left incomplete his actions made it clear he respected his wife enough to open the door and stand outside in case she desired the hand offered if need be.

[Storyteller]

==========AUTOMATED RANDOM EVENTS SYSTEM==========

Esli Barnes feels a warming sense of calm soothe their senses, leaving them more confident.

[Tierney]

[against_peace][/against_peace]

A turn left at the stop sign.

A turn right at the publishing station.

Tierney didn't pay that much attention to her GPS as she drove, she knew the city like the back of her hand. The red head tapped her fingertips against the steering wheel as she listened to the radio. To think that there may be a chance to rid the city of the infestation kept her focused, the idea of ridding them all of the trouble was something to fight for. There was too much at stake, really. Thumbing at the turn signal, she turned once more and listened as the holiday music switched off in favor of the evening news. Pulling her fingertips through her hair loosely, she resisted rolling her eyes at the mention of holiday sales.

"There are much more important things to worry of."

She muttered to herself as she pulled to a stop and parked. Tierney looked up at the location and checked the coordinates in her phone before getting out. Her shoes crunched against the frost covered ground before the woman made her way to the small group already gathered. "'Tis the season." She said in greeting. Her pale fingers curled around the edge of her gloves as she pulled them more against her skin. She moved closer to Sawyer, folding her arms to rest in front of her chest afterwards.

[Samson Krahn]

HE’S WEARING

[against_peace][/against_peace]

The coming of winter necessitated choices better suited to the conservation of body heat, but the nearness of the holidays demanded some small nod to festivity. Samson was gifted with his hands, and he could have made his own clothing, though they would have been plain, perhaps muddy in color and ultimately drab. Though it was not the coarseness of the garments produced by his hands which made him more inclined to purchase his garb from super-mega-convenience stores with rock bottom prices. Rather it was an allowance on his miser’s budget made because he (said he) didn’t have the time. It was better to pay a few bucks to wear jeans for a couple of decades, until they were well worn in, torn in many places, and essentially threadbare, than it was to commit his energy to anything greater than a passing repair stitch. He wore a plain white shirt with a deep v-neck, and overtop that, a hoodie that did nothing to obscure the strong features of his face. Left open, it warmed his back and arms - hints of one sleeve still visible. To keep his ears toasty, a beanie had been added to the mix. His jeans, like the rest of his outfit, was unremarkable. The most expensive thing he wore were his boots, and that’s only because those were a proper investment.

On the way to meet up with the other Paladins in the Order of Steel, he stopped for another modern indulgence he couldn’t live without - coffee. He wasn’t into the fancy flavors that different shops offered for short periods of time, but he loved the smell of a fresh brew and of the spices that hung in the air. The scent of peppermint was strong as he exited onto the sidewalk, making his way down the street. Their mission was one of peace, or at least, that was the intention. That said, they were dealing in arms more dangerous than guns or bombs, or grenades. Knowledge. Samson was no fool. He knew they were likely to come across as the street preachers of the end days and the crazed alcohol breathing homeless who stank of despair. He knew that many would overlook what they were attempting to teach, but he had never been a man afraid of hard work.

The problem was that some information was dangerous. Some words were forbidden. Like the term ‘freedom’ in a land under tyrranical rule.. And that was why he had brought his longsword with him. Since his axe had been lost in the skull of a vampire (may his beloved weapon rest in peace), it was what he’d gotten his hands on. The sharp blade was left in his truck (a diesel chugging monster) which he’d parked between the coffee shop and the meeting spot. He knew he could quickly and easily get to it if need be. His gun was on him though, carefully concealed.

The mayor passing a bill to allow your average citizen to carry weaponry had been perhaps the brightest political move of the century as far as Sam was concerned.

He offered a nod to both Sawyer and Ephraim when he approached, only to reveal that he had not only thought of himself when getting a drink. He hadn’t been sure how many people would be coming, so he had brought eight of the steaming beverages in their Styrofoam shells. He was perhaps not the most talkative of men, but he had learned years before that when people were bound by a common goal, it was good to at least make an effort to be generous. So instead of words, what he gave in exchange for social currency were little gifts and thoughtfulness in the form of drink, food, and handmade objects which were not necessarily creature comforts, but which were well meant none-the-less.

[Lasair Barnes (DELETED 9516)]

Oliver was denied the chance of pudding as Lasair tipped back her head to receive Esli’s feather-light touch. Lasair grinned in such a way that indicated that Oliver would have whatever he wanted (within boundaries for his own health); the monkey was spoiled by Lasair. He had become more than a pet to her, the woman with far too much matriarchal care to give and yet no children of her own to give it to.

The intimate moment passed as Gideon entered the van; he did not knock, but that was alright. He was family, and Lasair had no issues should he wish to invite himself into their home. Because it wasn’t just their home, it was his too. His, and Mona’s. And the children’s. Lasair turned from Esli’s grasp to properly greet Gideon with a hug. That’s all it took for Oliver to hop from one shoulder to another, and Lasair laughed.

They left Oliver where he was as they exited the RV; Lasair had no need to take Esli’s hand. She was capable enough to exit on her own, but she took the hand anyway. In their relationship there was nothing so silly as gender roles or expectations and nor did Lasair feel belittled by the gentlemanly act. She was flattered by it.

”Let’s get a wriggle on,” she said as she pulled the scarf tight around her shoulders and made a beeline for Gideon’s car – shotgunning the front seat. ”Things to do, people to see. Pudding to eat,” she said in a sing-song tone. Their work was important, she was fully aware. But, so too was the pudding, even if to a lesser degree.

[Gideon Barnes (DELETED 8781)]

[against_peace][/against_peace]
Once everyone was inside and buckled up, Gideon dropped the car in drive and casually glanced over at his sister who seemed content on eating...pudding? He blinked. Then turned back to what was in front of him, as to not get them into a car crash and kill them before they even started their work. "Food sounds good." Gideon commented, tapping his fingers to the song 'Little Drummer Boy.'

He looked in the mirror that would show him what was going on behind him-from the back seat to the streets and made eye contact with his brother once Esli knew he was trying to catch it. "Hungry?" Even if he wasn't, Gideon was going to stop somewhere and grab something to eat. He had a long day at work and his break had been cut in half by a phone call to Mona. One of the kids was sick, so she was frazzled and had to do a run to the store with three kids. One which was crying and uncomfortable. Gideon felt bad for that, and took it all in as best as he could for her, then promised to pick up more in case it was needed for tomorrow. Before he came home.

"I know this place that serves burgers and vegan burgers." He said with a shrug of his shoulder, still tapping along to the song, and then changing the beat when the next song came on. He didn't even know the song, but found it easy to find the beat. He indicated the car to go left, and merged, before he decided to go for it. He couldn't do God's work on an empty belly and Lass shouldn't just be eating pudding. "Can't comment on the vegan burgers, but the fries as delicious." Gideon kept talking about it, his stomach growling a little as his mouth watered. He made another left, and then got into the far right lane as fast as he could, because there was the burger joint coming up. He rolled down the window as a barely audible voice blasted a welcome and mentioned taking their order.

"Want anything?" He glanced to his brother and sister, before ordering a number three, with a coke. "Hold that thought. Might have more things coming at you. In fact, while we wait...chew on this..." Gideon leaned into the driver's side window so he could talk right at the thing. "This place is my favorite burger joint in the whole city. Shame vampire population is on the rise. Ever wonder what would happen if everyone became a blood sucker? No need for burgers and would be a shame to lose that income, right?" Gideon turned his attention back to his brother and sister, waiting to see if they were going to pony up and order.

[Esli Barnes]

[against_peace][/against_peace]

Esli glanced briefly at his wife who still smells as sweet as the pudding that was granted a pass beyond her lips.  as tempting as Lasair was to focus on his attention snapped to his brother who was in the middle of a rant that he would gladly back up. If only they weren't in a drive-thru ordering what Gids considered consuming. Perhaps his brother failed to remember that whole family summer road trip back in grade school. Of course he had or he wouldn't have been so bold while ordering his typical fast food favorite.

Missouri. It was after ten p.m, hotter than blazes and the Pig on Stix sign glowed for the attention it received. The family truckster bounced into the single lane drive thru and sun crisp Gids and Esli leaned out of the passenger windows squealing for ice cream. A cranky parent tried to banish them back into the car instead of hanging out. An argument soon rolled via the their car, the one behind and the fast food employee trying to  referee the complaining. Ten minutes later Gids would be crying when he found what clearly was phlegm wads topping his ice cream cone just before his first lick. Tears rolled as the station wagon bounced out of the restaurant that no longer was lit up and open for business.

“You really hungry?” Esli questioned his brothers true motivation for arriving and belting out the anit-vamp rhetoric. Esli quickly decided the message was far more important than any risk of mucus toppings. “I will take their vegetarian special supersize it.” He raised his brows to Lasair. This, of course, typically meant he was about to get into some sort of trouble. Three decades and he had not changed. Esli Barnes  never gave mixed signals. “And I feel your sentiments brother.”

He stepped out of the vehicle and weaved between the bumpers that separated Gideon’s car from the one ahead of them. Esli’s hand knocked on the coupe’s window and waited with hands in pockets for it to drop down. A glance back to Gid’s and Lasair had him pulling out a semi-warm hand to wave the all clear and then returned it back to it’s respective pocket.

[Ephraim Steele]

“Just barely,” he murmured, his hand passing back over his hair, sweeping loose strands from his face as he shook his head. “You could do with a warmer coat.” Before all was said and done, he would see to it himself if she didn’t start dressing herself warmer.

He rolled a shoulder, watching as she took one of the fliers and looked it over. He smirked at her comment, and offered a shrug. He was no artist. Not with pen and paper. But he was a man with imagination. Good with his hands and a master of the forge. He was accustomed to using the strength of his hands in the service of the vision of his mind, following the divine hand that reached down and gifted him with his craft. The creation of the fliers had been similar, only when he needed power upon steel, he replaced with finesse upon paper.

The result was not entirely unsatisfactory, he supposed, and would do well to serve their purpose. To spread the word that, in this world jaded by popular culture and a bombardment of pro-fang media, that not all was as peachy-keen as everyone would have you believe.

He took a slow breath and nodded to her suggestion of a spot, and gave her a smile. “While the wealthy sit upon a tower made of note and coin, the poor that scurry about in the filth are the ones with true power for change. The problem is to make them see, when the rich would have them blind in one eye, deaf in one ear, and command the attention of both that they have so graciously allowed to remain within their skulls.” He lifted a hand and pat her cheek, gently. “We will need the attention of both if we are to succeed.”

He shook his head, then, and turned to lift a hand in greeting to Tierney as she approached, offering her a warm smile at her greeting, his hand dipping into his pocket to check his phone again. He saw another form approaching them from the corner of his eye as he locked the phone again, dropping it back into his pocket. This form larger, a more lumbering gate than the petite redhead that had joined them with a cheery chirp of seasonal greetings. The big man was Samson, a face he’d grown more and more happy to see as the weeks wore on.

He wasn’t talkative, perhaps even less so than Ephraim himself, who had earned a reputation among their enemies as being a silent, stony opponent. The man’s generosity, the offer of the coffee, was welcomed beyond measure, a thankful nod returned to the big, fellow bearded beast, as Ephraim took the offered beverage with a smile. “Many thanks. And good to see you both here safely. The others should be along soon enough.”

[Sawyer]

[against_peace][/against_peace]

“And you could do with getting fucked,” she retorted, the words slipping from her tongue like turpentine. Even now, as the air began to chill even more, he managed to bring her blood to a boil as he weaseled his way beneath her skin. She had to remind herself that he had years on her, that while she was struggling to find her way in the world, to claw herself free from the gutter, he was working for something he believed in. He had a family and a hope, and she had… nothing. Turning her gaze away, she focused on the flier in her hands, fingers tightening on the paper until it crinkled in her trembling grip. ****, I need to stop letting him get to me like this, she silently seethed, though she was more than aware of the fact the emotions played across her face.

Waving it off with a brush of her hand through her hair, she allowed her lips to quick into the faintest hint of a smile, something devious glistening in the glacial blue of her eyes. It was obvious that she hadn’t missed how he had skipped carefully over her trap, and for now, she let him free. It wasn’t the time to deal with the matters of the heart, and instead, she smoothed the first of the wrinkles from the flier and bit into the soft flesh of her lip. “So, we hit them both up, get them all to see. I’ll hit up my old world, see if I can’t bring some more to our cause. I’ll have to tread carefully if you want me to step into the world of the rich and reckless. Isaiah still has it bad for me.” Her voice dropped at the last sentence, as if just speaking his name would summon the crooked detective to her side. As his hand brushed the cold skin of her cheek, she smiled, her gaze softening for a second.

Before she had a chance to say anything more – to even explain about Isaiah – the soft footfalls of the approaching sorceress had her turning from her partner, brow raising. “It’s good to see you finally showed up. Managed to get away from daddy, did you?” Without thinking, her arm moved to wrap around the redhead’s shoulders, bringing her into her side for a quick embrace. It didn’t last long, and soon she was releasing the girl, her hands falling into the warmth of her pockets as another figure approached, bringing with him the scent of coffee and a warm smile. “A giant after my own heart, Sammy,” she grinned, one hand slipping from the warmth of her pocket to reach for a steaming cup, the heat easing some of the cold. Bringing the cup to her lips, she let the coffee burn her tongue as she closed her eyes.