Tytonidays and Nights - Group 2 [Closed]

[Jesse Fforde]

Jesse is careful with his rituals. Although he can stay awake, the sun still has an effect. He may as well be rendered human, kind of, when awake during the sunlight hours. He yawns often, and his eyes are sandy with exhaustion. But he pushes on, and he stays alert; he speaks the Fae language in low tones, slowly, enunciating each symbol with careful clarity. The wilderness is a hard map to track; the locations aren’t the same as they would be in the city. There are no familiar tokens. But, still.


While he works, Jesse slowly fills out a grid in front of him – a piece of paper, with the cabin clearly marked in the middle, with markers indicating North, East, West, and South. The lines are precise, the distances clear. It might not meet the standards of a professional cartographer, but in the end he’s certain that what he has come up with will more than suffice.

The whispers of the Fae are harsh, unforgiving, unwilling. And yet they come, sharp and sweet. They give up the information that Jesse forces from them, before he sends them back to where they came from. Knowing there are others in the cabin with him, he is careful not to let any of them go. The location ritual is simple; it’s deciphering the messages given to him by the Fae which is the hard part.

In the middle of his long sessions, when he needs a break to regain his energy, he does rounds of the cabin; he makes sure that everyone is safe and secure in their different sleeping spots.

As the sun starts to sink, Jesse feels his usual stamina and alertness returning. It’s relief, like a shot of adrenaline through the veins. Except it’s adrenaline that he lives with every night. He nods as Reanna approaches. Yes, he has something. A few different leads they might be able to follow – but they’ll have to move quick. Their prey won’t stay still for long, if at all. He points to the map in front of him.

“Some of the lesser Fae lurk in different areas, it would seem. Here…” he points to a specific point on the map, a few clicks South East of the cabin. “…here, and here,” he says, pointing to a couple of different areas densely populated with his little dots. He’d done numerous rituals and had placed markers on the map for each one. These were the popular areas.

“Unless you want to go after one of the big bads,” he says with a smirk. “The Harper, last located here, just North East of Lunar Lake Estate. “Naitaka, last seen over east of the city, under the ice in the river heading out of the city. Near Vita Bella,” he says, again pointing. “I can stay here and keep looking – I checked the weather forecast. If you guys want to brave it, we might be getting a storm later on, maybe closer to morning. Haokah may make an appearance,” he proffered.

Only then did he hear Blake’s voice – he looked to the man, who still looked a little sleep-bound. He frowned – Reanna was already awake, and Renee stirring. Jesse glanced over to the corner where he knew Roderic to be. Only to have to look again. Renee had slipped outside. But had Roderic? Had he moved in the last hour? When … he was there two hours ago. Jesse was sure of it.

“Where the **** did Roderic go?!”

[Reanna]

As she listened to Jesse, she allowed her mind to wander. He had done his job, just as she was certain he would have, and without failure. Her pale gaze jumped from each point his finger touched, mind racing as she thought over the path to take. Could they risk one of the bigger creatures? Would it be worth it? This was their second night, they only had one more to go. Tilting her head, the Russian mulled over the strategy as she turned her gaze towards Blake. The man was still disoriented, his request not to wake the others making that clear, considering she was as awake as she could be. She decided not to let the request to take Jesse from his work unsettle her. It wasn’t worth it, and the man clearly wasn’t in his right mind at the time. Giving him a moment to collect his thoughts, she frowned at the mention of Roderic.

“He was there when I woke,” she said simply, her spine straightening as she made her way towards the nest the other man had made. Crouching down, she peeled back the tarp and rummaged around for a moment, looking for any signs of struggle that could have happened while the rested. It was then her sharp gaze landed on Jesse. “You were awake. You were supposed to watch. Did you see anything?” She demanded, her tone low. She wasn’t exactly accusing the man of failing her, but worry that someone had taken Roderic caused her old fear to flare to life. She wasn’t going to let it happen a second time. She had promised herself – and her team – that she wouldn’t let them down. She wouldn’t allow anything to happen to them. Yet, the second the sun had risen, she’d already lost one.

It wasn’t time for doubts.

With a groan, she stood back to her full height as hunger clawed its way up her throat. Pulling her cell from her back pocket, she quickly dialed his number, only to hear it ring from within the cabin. Spinning in a circle, she closed her eyes and snapped her fangs together. “If he has wandered, I will gut him like fish,” she hissed beneath her breath, the words followed up by a long string of Russian curses as she ended the call and shoved her phone back into her pocket. “If one is telepath, call to him. Perhaps another can sense him. We have time no waste.” In her agitation, the English she had been grasping the best she could had fled, leaving her words a jumbled mess that she knew Jesse would be able to understand. “Until he returns, we have plan.”

Pulling a blood bag from her pack, she ripped it open and slowly sipped from it, the crimson staining her lips before she trailed her tongue over them. “I do not believe we should throw ourselves into battle with the toughest. We must take slow at first to see how well Renee and I work together. With the bigger one, I would like Roderic – if he returns – to go with us if he can. We will go after smaller Fae first. Jesse, direct to best location and Renee and I will begin. Blake, I am trusting you to know your part in this. When time is right, I will simply say name. When name is said, do come. Da?” After she spoke, she took another sip from her blood, shoulders relaxing as Renee slipped back inside. She didn’t like that the group kept disappearing from her sight, especially with Roderic missing.

[Roderic]

There's little issues during my ride back to the camp site. Outside a few stares from people and one guy asking me where my shoes were. I ignored him. Any other night would have been a different story, but I don't have time to be wrapped up in my own personal agenda.

Thirty-three minutes it takes for the train to get from one side of the city, to the other. When it stops, I don't stand. I just wait a minute. Wait for the clock on the train, the red minutes change at the end. An even thirty four. I take an unneeded breath in, and feel satisfied. I move off the train and to the platform. I push past people and they past me. Before I hop off it, I decide to do away with the socks.

I had a case of athlete's foot once when I was hunting in the woods as a teen. I didn't feel like reliving those days again. Even if I wasn't sure vampires could get athlete's foot. I wasn't going to risk it. The socks are tossed in a waste bin before I hop off the platform and head back to Velveteen and Micah's place. At first I'm briskly walking, but then I turn it into a slow jog. It's not easy. Not because it's cold, but because some assholes decided to not shovel, or do a half *** shoveling job and some has turned to ice and some to slush.

When I finally get back, I have no shoes or no socks. My hands are stuffed in my pockets and I just look at everyone in the room. "So, I forgot to mention a little something." A hand goes to the back of my head and to my somewhat greasy hair. "It don't matter where I pass out at, I sort of always end up in the same place. For future reference."

[Renee]

Blake seemed to be out of it. Even with just having woken up this was not something Renee was too keen on. Not after last night and him wanting to over step Reanna the way he had. She felt that if one was going to act like they were the best and try to boss others around them they needed to be that way. Jesse had done his part and even Reanna was up and alert at this point. She had been unsure about Ric till he entered the cabin.

“Well at least now we know and are less likely to freak out when you aren’t here in the morning. Just might want to keep your cell on you so you can call someone.” She said as she smirked at the man. She was familiar with this curse because Axel had it and she could remember worrying after she was first turned if this would one day happen to her as it did to him.

Her sword was still on the ground next to the sofa where she had left. She bent over and picked it up along with it’s scabbard and fastened it to her. “Well I am ready to go as soon as you say go Reanna.” She smiled and nodded at the woman. It would be nice to fight with someone new. It would be a chance to learn new things and practice what she had already learned.

“What is the first location for me to send Doc to?” This was a question both for Reanna and Jesse. Everyone needed to be in agreement but right now as long Jesse had some locations and Reanna felt it was a good enough idea for them to go after it then that was more then enough for her.

Voting to remove Blake

[Jesse Fforde]

Perhaps it might have been something that Jesse would have suggested, had he had the time to figure out where Roderic could have gone, and why. Except that the male soon sauntered back into the cabin, his excuse acceptable and his timing fine. Nothing untoward had happened in or because of his absence, so Jesse merely nodded, and shifted his attention between the three of them – Roderic, Renee, and Reanna. Blake hadn’t moved from the doorway, and Jesse figured if the guy wanted in, he’d shuffle forward and join the rest of them.

He gave a shrug at Reanna’s suggestion.

“If it were up to me, I’d go after one of the bigger ones. We want to learn what we can, right? We would learn more from them than from the smaller Fae – we have two nights, and the bigger bastards’ll be harder to track and keep hold of. They’ll take time. I think we should focus on them,” he said. Maybe it was the masochist in him. He could be a bit of a thrill-seeker when he wanted to, and it would be one hell of a story – taking on one of the bigger Fae and living to tell the tale.

He ushered Renee forward and pointed to the map, where Naitaka was last located.

“That was the last ritual I did so the details are the freshest. Naitaka, its name is – the name might come in handy. They don’t like their names to be known. She also might be easier to track than The Harper, as she sticks to the water, mainly, whereas The Harper roams the forest,” he said.

“Can you send Doctor before you and see if he can keep tabs on her location? I’ll stay here and keep doing the ritual, if Doc should lose her. And try to find some of the others,” he said, holding each person’s gaze for a few seconds at a time.

Voting Blake out

[Reanna]

It wasn't until she heard Roderic's voice that her entire form relaxed. There was a moment of panic in her eyes, and she had been careful to not allow any of the other members see it. What would it do for her if they saw the crack in her facade? Turning her sharp gaze to him, she raised a brow. "Da, as Renee said. Do keep something on you. It is not wise to let us worry."

With that said, she crossed her arms over her chest and turned her gaze from him to Blake. The man had been too out of it, and instantly, alarm bells had been sent off. From the very beginning he had been an issue in the back of her mind. In all honestly, she was slightly disappointed. After all, she had seen him on the field, but something about him had shifted - at least for these few days. Snapping her teeth together, she let the worry roll off as her hand once more found Jesse's shoulder. It was a light touch, one to let him know that she was, indeed, listening to him.

It wasn't a bad idea, but it wasn't one she agreed with. Straightening her spine, she gave his shoulder a squeeze before letting her hand drop. "You have made valid point, but it is not the wisest choice. You wish to send us out after one of the biggest fae when we haven't a clue if we are actually... ready." As she said the words, her gaze once more found Blake, who stood stoic and silent in his groggy nature. She no longer trusted him to have her and Renee's back when they were on the field. Already, her fingers were itching, and she gripped the edge of her blade and took a deep breath into useless lungs.

"Keep track of Nakita, but find us someone smaller. We will start there. At the very least, we will get one sample that we need before the sun sets. I promise, we will find out way to the big bad," she smirked, her eyes glinting in the moonlight. If it was just her and Jesse, she would have agreed. She would have told him to throw the best he had at her, but she had others to worry about. She couldn't allow herself to throw them into fray until she was sure they could handle it. What would happen if they were knocked out before the real fighting began?

"We are running behind. Find us another location. Renee, go ahead and send Doc to previous. Order he keeps an eye on Nakita for us. I will have Corinth look for what Jesse finds. Roderic, prepare. There might be a change of plans and I want you ready."

She didn't elaborate. Not yet. Summoning Corinth from her apartment, she bent down and whispered quietly into the wraith's ear as she waited for Jesse to give her the information required.

Vote Off: Blake.

[Micah]

As a vote has taken place this auto end round two. Blake is now out for the remainder of the event.
This also means that there are consequences for your actions.

While the group sleeps it seems that hunters have tracked them to the cabin and lay in wait to ambush them. Some of those hunters are carrying cameras to capture video evidence of vampires in an effort to raise awareness among the humans. This means that when fighting, powers are now out of the question, unless a dice roll is used. A failed roll will mean a violation has been made against vampire secrecy and will count against the groups overall performance.

As round three is the last round there are no time constraints and you may take as long as you need to finish your tasks as long as the last post is in by the designated end time.

There will be no further day events, and the dice roll results are as follows:

Fantastic. Looks like Lady Luck is on your side.

[Roderic]

When I get back, I notice the shift in the group dynamic. It's not hard to spot. Blake was by himself, the other three working around him. No one seemed to acknowledge him in their plans. I wonder what happened, but it's not time to stand around trying to play mediator. It's evident no one wants him there, judging by their words or lack of. I just sigh and shake my head. Even cannon fodder had its place. Not the I viewed Blake, or anyone in Tytonidae as cannon fodder. But it was true. Everyone had their place and skillets others more than likely didn't.

I don't argue, or point this out. getting three people to change their mind wasn't an easy task and was time consuming. Jesse already found fae, so we just didn't have the time. I go to my gear, slip on my boots after pulling everything out from them and begin lacing them up. "Sounds good," I say to Reanna as soon as she's done talking. I stand, stuff a blade back into the foot of my boot, then sheath my sword behind my back again.

I move close to Jesse's vicinity, preparing for things to come. Good, or bad. I claim the arm of a couch that is closest to him and the altar he's using. "How you doing on supplies?" I hadn't thought to bring any, but I could hopefully always grab a few off the auction house if we ended up in a bind.

[Renee]

Doctor had been sent after Nakita. The water demon was fairly easy to keep an eye on as she stayed to the waterways. As long as he could keep up with her he could track her. The hardest part is when she goes into the deepest waters and ‘sits’ there for a it, but it does not take long for her to move again.

“Well If we are going to do this, big or little, we need to get things moving. This is our last night and I don’t want to let down Micah or Vel.” She made her way over to the door and turned to Reanna “We should move quickly either way.” She was talking about targets once again.

As she opened the door to look out, movement catches her eye. Her eyes quickly dart towards it as she sees a human form in the trees. With in a second more catch her eye. She quickly shuts the door before turning back to the group “We have company.”

[Jesse Fforde]

Roderic asks about supplies nearly simultaneous to Renee mentioning something about company. Mere seconds after her warning, there’s the sound of shattering class and of booted footsteps on wooden floors; a rush of bodies, and within moments chaos ascends. Jesse lunges across the room for his gun and sword, wielding one in each hand. He is fully aware that they still have a job to do – he has no idea how or why the Hunters have found them. Has one of them led them here? Who could have? Could it have been the dishevelled Roderic wandering through the blistering cold to get back from wherever it was he’d been to?

Still. That’s not enough to indicate a breaking of Masquerade – there are plenty of drunk or insane humans wandering around not dressed appropriately for the weather outside. It’s not enough to warrant an army of Hunters – in his peripherals, Jesse counts between five and ten, maybe more. Adrenaline surges, and rather than being beset by fear, he almost laughs. Almost.

“Renee! Reanna! Stick the plan!” he calls out. They should know what he means – the two of them were heading out to collect samples, and that should still be foremost in their agenda. Except, Jesse can’t possibly deal with the Hunters by himself. A blur of black obscures his view of the room and he has to duck and roll, the searing heat of a bullet grazing his cheek. He lifts his own gun and aims high, for the head, whilst aiming at his assailant’s crotch with the tip of his blade. The man goes down, screaming and heavy.

“Roderic! You stay with me and we’ll deal with these interfering fucks,” he says, with equal parts amusement and bitterness. Hunters are the bane of his existence. There’s almost nothing and no one he hates more. Almost.