Walking into the shopping center I noted all of the people. Everyone was going about their business. It was hard to figure out who was normal and who was a vampire. None of that mattered to me. I felt more at home amongst the monsters. Having my monster change was a bit too much for me.
"Why are we in this stupid place?" My Dark Friend asked me. His black suit with charcoal gray button up shirt. I could feel his annoyed eyes on me. He was something only I could see. "There's no fun here, 'less you want to head to Victoria's Secret and ogle people."
"Gathering intel. We can't be in a place and not know the layout. That's just stupid," I replied. A bluetooth was in my ear. Most people probably figured I was some douche in his grey suit with a white button up shirt speaking on his phone. Technology was wonderful subterfuge.
Stepping forward I pressed into a particular place that offered something rather gouache. It offered cheesy tours of the city akin to Ghost Tours. Harper Rock had too many things that allegedly went bump in the night. People were finding ways to profit off of it.
Stagger Lee had found his market. People had to admire his entrepreneurship. I didn't need him for supernatural stories that may or may not have been too. That was irrelevant because I don't care. Vampires, werewolves, mages, oh my, they were all tacky when the likes of Ann Rice wrote about them.
I was, however, out of my depth. The city was alien to me. That had to change and quickly. I needed to know places to go, where to avoid, what had good prospects for hunting, the list went on. The tour was necessary.
Walking up to the desk I cleared my throat. "Is Stagger here? He's of a darker complexion and would make Clint Eastwood jealous with his attire," I asked a store worker giving my best smile. Living amongst the human populace taught me how to fake emotion. Between general exposure and my job it gave me a good poker face. It also gave me the ability to put on emotions like a mask or a favorite sweater. All of it slipped on with ease and could be removed just as quickly. "I would really love a tour of the city. Tell him Daniel Badal is here," I gave my best smile that helped me quell a plethora of angry and upset people in my past.
My Dark Friend trailed me the entire time. "I don't like this Daniel. I really really don't like this. How do we know Stagger can be trusted!?" his suspicions weren't wrong to have. It was hard trusting others.
With a smile I held up a finger to the worker, "Excuse me a moment. Emergency call," I pressed the bluetooth. "Phil? What's wrong? Ooooh. I'm sorry to hear that. I know man, I know. I agree with you. I know if I were you I'd feel like my back was against the wall and you've got no choice. You really just need to sign those divorce papers," I nodded a few times with various "Mmmmhmmm's and Uhhhhhuhhhhs" while giving commentary for moments. Before long I was saying, "Bye-bye Phil. You always got me man. Always, always, always." Pressing the button I waited for Stagger to show up.
"All that for a simple f*cking sentence?! Christ, no wonder so many people hate cell phones," My Dark Friend chided me. We both knew this was a necessity, albeit an annoying one. Now, we were just waiting on Stagger Lee.
A Guide (Stagger Lee)
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Stagger Lee
- Registered User
- Posts: 182
- Joined: 29 May 2013, 21:26
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
Midnight. Time for the office. Advertising the new business had brought the some of the expected results. The usual doubters and naysayers. Did they really not realize what was going on around them? Or were they too scarred to admit it? Stagger Lee didn’t know, and it didn’t matter. He was no missionary or prophet. It wasn’t his calling to warn the rest of the populace about the vampires or to safe them. The majority of the heard have proven themselves worthless again and again. He was not the redeemer. He what he did to make money. And because it was fun.
Somebody called had contacted him on the internet and was interested in a tour. He had no idea yet what to think of the guy. But he’d find out soon. Stagger Lee preferred face-to-face meetings over internet anyway. Much more personal.
As always he was wearing his Stetson hat, combined this time with a long black duster and black boots. He figured the black coat would fit well with the horror topic of his tours. And it was very convenient, allowing him to hide a number of stakes as well as various blades and handguns inside. He doubted that stakes would really help, they were just there make the tour look more ‘authentic’.
There was a man inside. Dark suit, bluetooth headset, almost looking like one of those government agents sneaking around in the city. It was a bit ironic that Stag, the relative newcomer was about to give someone who claimed to have been in this city for quite some time a tour through his hometown. But on the other hand, Stag had seen things and been to place many natives of this city did not dare to encounter.
“Good evening, my name is Stagger Lee”, he introduced himself to the stranger. “Are you the one who contacted me on the net about a tour?”
Somebody called had contacted him on the internet and was interested in a tour. He had no idea yet what to think of the guy. But he’d find out soon. Stagger Lee preferred face-to-face meetings over internet anyway. Much more personal.
As always he was wearing his Stetson hat, combined this time with a long black duster and black boots. He figured the black coat would fit well with the horror topic of his tours. And it was very convenient, allowing him to hide a number of stakes as well as various blades and handguns inside. He doubted that stakes would really help, they were just there make the tour look more ‘authentic’.
There was a man inside. Dark suit, bluetooth headset, almost looking like one of those government agents sneaking around in the city. It was a bit ironic that Stag, the relative newcomer was about to give someone who claimed to have been in this city for quite some time a tour through his hometown. But on the other hand, Stag had seen things and been to place many natives of this city did not dare to encounter.
“Good evening, my name is Stagger Lee”, he introduced himself to the stranger. “Are you the one who contacted me on the net about a tour?”
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Badal
- Posts: 89
- Joined: 27 Nov 2011, 23:48
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
"Daniel Badal," I said to the man in the cowboy hat before offering my hand. My best smile was placed forward. The fashionable cowboy talked about preferring to meet face to face. At least someone had that ideology about social interaction right. "The internet is great for setting up meetings, but a chat room isn't a substitute for an actual room if the opportunity is available."
"I wonder if Stagger is his real or if it was a nickname given to him. Are ya sure he's sober enough to give this tour, Danny Boy?" My Dark Friend inquired. Stagger was an odd name, but who else did tours in the city? Who else claimed to know things to the point they felt confident to charge? No one else but our fashionable cowboy.
I saw things and survived, but by staggering blindly through the streets. Lady luck probably gave a few assists. I've learned when you truly needed Lady Lucky to be there she suddenly found herself busy. That was when skill and knowledge were vital. He could have given me knowledge.
"You're not going to talk about ghosts on this tour right? I believe in them, but find ghost tours to be a little tacky. Maybe even a little hoaky. Sadly, we live in a world where we cannot deny their existence. I just don't need the theatrics," I could have really done without all of the flare. Facts, that was what I wanted. Where to go, where to avoid, safe havens, anything that could have been of use.
Humans called vampires "fangers." I imagine Hollywood trademarked all the other terms once they realized a sparkly vampire equaled profit from the pre-teen and bored housewives demographic (Writer's Note: Sorry if you're a fan and reading this).
To me a vampire, should have been called that. Nor should have everyone be hated. Some had to be put down. Others, not so much. I viewed the matter like gun owners. People that owned guns weren't bad. People that owned guns and used them to become mass murderers were. Humans often presumed all vampires were the latter. I have seen a few good vampires, but the most important one vanished.
As I stood there waiting for Stagger to reply there was only one question on my mind: "Did the real Vampires get offended that Hollywood felt they should have been a sparkly and whiny lot like that? I would have been, if I were a vampire."
"I wonder if Stagger is his real or if it was a nickname given to him. Are ya sure he's sober enough to give this tour, Danny Boy?" My Dark Friend inquired. Stagger was an odd name, but who else did tours in the city? Who else claimed to know things to the point they felt confident to charge? No one else but our fashionable cowboy.
I saw things and survived, but by staggering blindly through the streets. Lady luck probably gave a few assists. I've learned when you truly needed Lady Lucky to be there she suddenly found herself busy. That was when skill and knowledge were vital. He could have given me knowledge.
"You're not going to talk about ghosts on this tour right? I believe in them, but find ghost tours to be a little tacky. Maybe even a little hoaky. Sadly, we live in a world where we cannot deny their existence. I just don't need the theatrics," I could have really done without all of the flare. Facts, that was what I wanted. Where to go, where to avoid, safe havens, anything that could have been of use.
Humans called vampires "fangers." I imagine Hollywood trademarked all the other terms once they realized a sparkly vampire equaled profit from the pre-teen and bored housewives demographic (Writer's Note: Sorry if you're a fan and reading this).
To me a vampire, should have been called that. Nor should have everyone be hated. Some had to be put down. Others, not so much. I viewed the matter like gun owners. People that owned guns weren't bad. People that owned guns and used them to become mass murderers were. Humans often presumed all vampires were the latter. I have seen a few good vampires, but the most important one vanished.
As I stood there waiting for Stagger to reply there was only one question on my mind: "Did the real Vampires get offended that Hollywood felt they should have been a sparkly and whiny lot like that? I would have been, if I were a vampire."
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Stagger Lee
- Registered User
- Posts: 182
- Joined: 29 May 2013, 21:26
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
Stag agreed with the man’s statement about the internet. “There is so much truth out there, but also so much ********. In the end people still only believe what they see with their own eyes and feel with their own hands. Can’t do that on the internet.” There had been a lot of truth about the vampires of Harper Rock posted on the net by those who knew. But many still disregarded it. Even some who really should have known better. Sometimes Stag wondered what their agendas were.
“Why don’t you come in?” He asked the visitor. “And convince yourself that this is no ghost tour at all.” He lead the man into the main room, with its crucifixes, garlic wreaths and stakes. To be honest, Stag had no idea if any of these items had any effect at all against vampires. He was still learning about those creatures. But he became more and more to doubt that anything but a powerful gun or a sharp blade had any effect. The same things that killed a human seemed to kill a vampire too, or rather send them somewhere, to that strange place they talked about on their so called “CrowNet.”
“I do not hunt ghosts” he added. “Everything you will see on this tour is, even though it is supernatural in nature, tangible. You could make it bleed if you stab into it. But most of the creatures you will see are also able to rip you apart if they catch you off guard.” He pointed at the pictures on the wall. Pictures of various kinds of zombies and other monstrosities. He had taken all of these pictures, as well as those next to them that showed vampires hunting or turning into animals.
“You might have seen photos like these before.” He spoke. “And you may think they are products of props or photoshop, but very soon when we head outside, to the hidden places of this city, you will find out they are all real. Very real.” Stag now reached for a big strangely twisted bone, not looking like it was the part of any natural creature. He studied the man’s reaction to find out how much he knew already about what was going on in this city, how much he had experienced first hand. “This is the hip bone of a monstrosity called the mooncalf. They are ferocious, but fun to hunt. Just don’t let them get into close range with you.”
“Why don’t you come in?” He asked the visitor. “And convince yourself that this is no ghost tour at all.” He lead the man into the main room, with its crucifixes, garlic wreaths and stakes. To be honest, Stag had no idea if any of these items had any effect at all against vampires. He was still learning about those creatures. But he became more and more to doubt that anything but a powerful gun or a sharp blade had any effect. The same things that killed a human seemed to kill a vampire too, or rather send them somewhere, to that strange place they talked about on their so called “CrowNet.”
“I do not hunt ghosts” he added. “Everything you will see on this tour is, even though it is supernatural in nature, tangible. You could make it bleed if you stab into it. But most of the creatures you will see are also able to rip you apart if they catch you off guard.” He pointed at the pictures on the wall. Pictures of various kinds of zombies and other monstrosities. He had taken all of these pictures, as well as those next to them that showed vampires hunting or turning into animals.
“You might have seen photos like these before.” He spoke. “And you may think they are products of props or photoshop, but very soon when we head outside, to the hidden places of this city, you will find out they are all real. Very real.” Stag now reached for a big strangely twisted bone, not looking like it was the part of any natural creature. He studied the man’s reaction to find out how much he knew already about what was going on in this city, how much he had experienced first hand. “This is the hip bone of a monstrosity called the mooncalf. They are ferocious, but fun to hunt. Just don’t let them get into close range with you.”
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Badal
- Posts: 89
- Joined: 27 Nov 2011, 23:48
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
"Yeah, it's great tool. It can create a connection, but cause a disconnect as well. The tool is juxtaposed," I gave my opinion on the internet and the messaging services. Stagger convinced me to follow him. I just wanted him to tone down the theatrics. The ghost tours were fun if you liked a combination of history and the old oral story tellers. Honestly I viewed them like hibachi cooks. You didn't need to fling me the shrimp, or start a volcano involving onion or pineapple. The theatrics didn't change the quality of information or food I would receive, thus irrelevant.
How Stagger talked about not being apart of a Ghost story reminded me of that Pirate movie that had all the commercials years ago. The pirate talked to someone about how it wasn't a ghost story, but you were in one or something. I never saw the movie. I sat down looking at all of the garnish on the walls.
"I know weapons that can punch a hole through a person's chest can harm them, sunlight can harm some but not all. I'm unsure about the stakes or garlic," then the photos were shown. Taking them I looked them over. The quality of the photo wasn't the best.
"Just like the safehouse," My Dark Friend mused.
"The Quarantine Zone," I said with no real emotion or change. My suit covered markings that held a type of power in them. I don't believe they were the markings of Christ. That was just rubbish to me. God is omnipotent and omniscient, but he doesn't care. He wouldn't have seen the creation of these otherworldly creatures if he didn't. Some could argue that the establishment of the Paladin and the Order to be his counterbalance. That wasn't a counterbalance. Not a true counterbalance anyway. For every supposed Paladin there were three to five vampires at a minimum. That wasn't a balance, it was a band aid being put on a wound that needed staples. I believed in the chi that supposedly fueled the tattoos. A power drawn from within. Whether it came from willpower or tapping into something was irrelevant.
Then the photos of vampires came out. Again, there was no change in my face. "I'm familiar with many like this. Some are poised in nice positions in this city like Elizabeth Naarc, Wolfgang, and the Pratt individual." My gaze leveled on Stagger. Now, it was my turn to judge his reactions. A Private Investigator knows when someone was trying to read him.
How Stagger talked about not being apart of a Ghost story reminded me of that Pirate movie that had all the commercials years ago. The pirate talked to someone about how it wasn't a ghost story, but you were in one or something. I never saw the movie. I sat down looking at all of the garnish on the walls.
"I know weapons that can punch a hole through a person's chest can harm them, sunlight can harm some but not all. I'm unsure about the stakes or garlic," then the photos were shown. Taking them I looked them over. The quality of the photo wasn't the best.
"Just like the safehouse," My Dark Friend mused.
"The Quarantine Zone," I said with no real emotion or change. My suit covered markings that held a type of power in them. I don't believe they were the markings of Christ. That was just rubbish to me. God is omnipotent and omniscient, but he doesn't care. He wouldn't have seen the creation of these otherworldly creatures if he didn't. Some could argue that the establishment of the Paladin and the Order to be his counterbalance. That wasn't a counterbalance. Not a true counterbalance anyway. For every supposed Paladin there were three to five vampires at a minimum. That wasn't a balance, it was a band aid being put on a wound that needed staples. I believed in the chi that supposedly fueled the tattoos. A power drawn from within. Whether it came from willpower or tapping into something was irrelevant.
Then the photos of vampires came out. Again, there was no change in my face. "I'm familiar with many like this. Some are poised in nice positions in this city like Elizabeth Naarc, Wolfgang, and the Pratt individual." My gaze leveled on Stagger. Now, it was my turn to judge his reactions. A Private Investigator knows when someone was trying to read him.
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Stagger Lee
- Registered User
- Posts: 182
- Joined: 29 May 2013, 21:26
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
Now Stagger Lee was surprised. He had gradually let Badal from the items that were there more for show and flair towards the real hard fact. And that guy Badal knew a lot more then Stag would have thought. Not only did he know about the existence of vampires, but also already knew the names and positions of at least a few of the most prominent of them. Who was this guy who seemingly appeared out of nowhere, and yet so quickly knew what took Stag many months to learn. “Yeah that’s Robert Pratt”, he said pointing at one of the pictures. “he seems to be quite an influential and powerful vampire.”
This said Stagger Lee turned to Badal, looking at the man. ”You seem to know quite a lot about vampires.” He said, “how come I never heard of you before?” Was this man a government agent, trying to gather more information? Or was he the thrall of one of the groups of vampires, trying to recruit Stag into their sinister schemes – or to lead him into a trap and destroy him because he knew too much. So far Stag had gotten the impression that the vampires, even though they still pretended to care about it, had in fact given up to really care about what they called “the Masquerade”. The truth was out, plenty of people knew about the existence of vampires and it didn’t feel that they were really hiding it anymore. Almost every day when Stagger Lee was out taking his usual round, he encountered proof of supernatural activity. Almost every day, the urban cowboy found one of their young and weak ones, cowering away in some deserted house or trying to blend in a bar. Then it was time to feast, to get high on the rush of the potent vampiric blood.
Vampires either weren’t trying to hide anymore or they were rather bad at it. Or they were so many that it was impossible for them. A scary thought to some. A great potential business opportunity to Stagger. If he marketed it right he could make an industry out of it, invite rich American, Russian, Arab, Chinese tourists over to come hunt and kill vampires, the most dangerous prey. What a fortune could be made from that!
But he was getting lost in his plans for a moment, which was not a good idea right now. His focus returned to his visitor, to listen to the answer to his question.
This said Stagger Lee turned to Badal, looking at the man. ”You seem to know quite a lot about vampires.” He said, “how come I never heard of you before?” Was this man a government agent, trying to gather more information? Or was he the thrall of one of the groups of vampires, trying to recruit Stag into their sinister schemes – or to lead him into a trap and destroy him because he knew too much. So far Stag had gotten the impression that the vampires, even though they still pretended to care about it, had in fact given up to really care about what they called “the Masquerade”. The truth was out, plenty of people knew about the existence of vampires and it didn’t feel that they were really hiding it anymore. Almost every day when Stagger Lee was out taking his usual round, he encountered proof of supernatural activity. Almost every day, the urban cowboy found one of their young and weak ones, cowering away in some deserted house or trying to blend in a bar. Then it was time to feast, to get high on the rush of the potent vampiric blood.
Vampires either weren’t trying to hide anymore or they were rather bad at it. Or they were so many that it was impossible for them. A scary thought to some. A great potential business opportunity to Stagger. If he marketed it right he could make an industry out of it, invite rich American, Russian, Arab, Chinese tourists over to come hunt and kill vampires, the most dangerous prey. What a fortune could be made from that!
But he was getting lost in his plans for a moment, which was not a good idea right now. His focus returned to his visitor, to listen to the answer to his question.
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Badal
- Posts: 89
- Joined: 27 Nov 2011, 23:48
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
Examining the photo I saw the face again. It was ages since I had seen Robert. Setting it down, "Many of the names I listed are or were. Elizabeth was hard to ignore. She held a book auction and other charitable events," that's all people had to do was look right. See that some of the concerned citizens of the city were monsters. Others were concerned citizens that happened to be vampires. Elizabeth was the latter in my view.
Not everyone shared my view that some vampires could be hospitable. Lines were being drawn in the sand. Sides were being taken. To both sides it was a black and white world. My world everything was in various shades of grey. Somethings were just darker than others, and the dark things weren't exclusive to one species.
"Uh oh...he's getting suspicious," My Dark Friend chimed in as Stagger started to question me.
He presumed I was probably some vampire thrall or a government worm. "I kept a very low profile, but I was watchful. If knowledge is power then information is the best tool to obtain power. When some people were charging into attack, I observed and scouted," my voice kept the neutral tone. I didn't want Stagger to suspect me of anything. The man carried sway in the human resistance circles, people respected him. They listened to him too.
"However, the world has changed much in the last year or two. I've survived because of luck during the changes. I want knowledge to survive. It's why I'm here," I stated my intent again. Then looked him square in the eye, "What do you need to see to know that I am not something that will harm you later?"
Not everyone shared my view that some vampires could be hospitable. Lines were being drawn in the sand. Sides were being taken. To both sides it was a black and white world. My world everything was in various shades of grey. Somethings were just darker than others, and the dark things weren't exclusive to one species.
"Uh oh...he's getting suspicious," My Dark Friend chimed in as Stagger started to question me.
He presumed I was probably some vampire thrall or a government worm. "I kept a very low profile, but I was watchful. If knowledge is power then information is the best tool to obtain power. When some people were charging into attack, I observed and scouted," my voice kept the neutral tone. I didn't want Stagger to suspect me of anything. The man carried sway in the human resistance circles, people respected him. They listened to him too.
"However, the world has changed much in the last year or two. I've survived because of luck during the changes. I want knowledge to survive. It's why I'm here," I stated my intent again. Then looked him square in the eye, "What do you need to see to know that I am not something that will harm you later?"
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Stagger Lee
- Registered User
- Posts: 182
- Joined: 29 May 2013, 21:26
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
“A book auction?”, Stagger Lee said in a bit of disbelief, then nodded as he realized. Of course it made a lot of sense for vampires to host charity events. It brought many of potential victims together so they could feed without raising suspicion, and it helped them gain even further influence in social circles.
It was not that Stag considered all vampires to be invariably evil. Quite the contrary he met a number of them that could be quite friendly and actually more selfless than he was. He just believed that Harper Rock was a dangerous place where only the fittest survived. An vampires as the supreme predators did what it took to survive and prosper, to gain blood and power, using all means possible to reach that goal. Even if that meant hosting a book auction.
Badal seemed to be an intelligent man. Observing and scouting while others rushed into action. That was a wise move. Stag had seen many humans, especially those that possessed supernatural powers – paladins, sorcerers, blood thieves – rush into battle like madmen, attacking everything with fangs. Some of them have disappeared now, most likely killed in action. Others were still around. But no longer human…
“If you want to stay in one piece and keep having a pulse, this course of action is the best one” He agreed with Badal, listening attentively as the man continued to talk. “In a place like this luck will always be a factor when it comes to survival. It is all a gamble. But a gamble one can win big when playing right. I think you know the first rule of survival already. Don’t attack unless you are sure you will win. Apart from that you need money, a refuge – or better more than one, and reliable allies.” That brought Stag to Badal’s next question. It was a loaded one. Stagger Lee didn’t trust anyone easily. He kept a distance even to other humans, and even more so to any vampires he knew.
“Trust takes time”, he spoke. “I am willing to exchange information though. You seem to already know a number of vampires in this city and I am willing to compare notes. I’d also like to learn more from you about the city as it was before the change. When I came here it already was as it is now.”
It was not that Stag considered all vampires to be invariably evil. Quite the contrary he met a number of them that could be quite friendly and actually more selfless than he was. He just believed that Harper Rock was a dangerous place where only the fittest survived. An vampires as the supreme predators did what it took to survive and prosper, to gain blood and power, using all means possible to reach that goal. Even if that meant hosting a book auction.
Badal seemed to be an intelligent man. Observing and scouting while others rushed into action. That was a wise move. Stag had seen many humans, especially those that possessed supernatural powers – paladins, sorcerers, blood thieves – rush into battle like madmen, attacking everything with fangs. Some of them have disappeared now, most likely killed in action. Others were still around. But no longer human…
“If you want to stay in one piece and keep having a pulse, this course of action is the best one” He agreed with Badal, listening attentively as the man continued to talk. “In a place like this luck will always be a factor when it comes to survival. It is all a gamble. But a gamble one can win big when playing right. I think you know the first rule of survival already. Don’t attack unless you are sure you will win. Apart from that you need money, a refuge – or better more than one, and reliable allies.” That brought Stag to Badal’s next question. It was a loaded one. Stagger Lee didn’t trust anyone easily. He kept a distance even to other humans, and even more so to any vampires he knew.
“Trust takes time”, he spoke. “I am willing to exchange information though. You seem to already know a number of vampires in this city and I am willing to compare notes. I’d also like to learn more from you about the city as it was before the change. When I came here it already was as it is now.”
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Badal
- Posts: 89
- Joined: 27 Nov 2011, 23:48
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
"Luck with no strategy is not a way to survive. That is how I have been surviving. I came to you to change that," I had to admit to the man. Luck was always welcomed to most of the masses. "To rely solely on luck, even indirectly, is not a way to live." Thinking on it he wanted to know how the city was before. He was going to be disappointed. "If I gave off the impression that I was a resident from the before times, I am not. I've been here a while. I can describe how it's changed between then and now," hopefully this information was going to convince Stagger to tell others to open their eyes.
"The independent hitlist on the crownet. It used to be different. People I recognize now and have put names to faces used to bicker on that thing. It makes me think some vampires are a lot like bratty children. Back then it was filled with ridiculous amounts of money and a name. Sometimes names would appear two to four times. You get the feeling there was either some really pissed off lovers or business partners. However, this activity has since died down so they've become less public spectacles," that was point one, a little inconsequential I had to admit.
"Just like the Government, Sorcerers, and blood thieves came the vampires have increased their numbers. If you want to say both the humans and the vampires are divided each had their baby boom fairly recently. Maybe the vampires are just evening the numbers, maybe a bunch of vampire women suddenly felt their hormonal clock go off and they felt like turning, I do not know, but the population has exploded. If you want to question how I know that, it's simple logic. A city will grow in population, more crowds will be seen in various spots, more businesses will arise, new buildings will be built, but Haprer isn't like normal cities. You and I know it has vampires. With word hitting on the internet that vampires may be real it's sure to bring out some people, but given the feeding habits of this city and the population rank either staying steady if not growing....You can't tell me all of these people are human," I tried to explain. The baby boom of the supernatural was just simple facts.
I could feel My Dark Friend resisting the urge to snore. This was valuable information, but he knew it already. However, he endured because I liked Stagger. He seemed like decent people, but I wasn't ready to give him trust. That caution went both ways. If I suddenly found myself being attacked by vampires then I would make sure Stagger was a slab of meat upon my operating table.
"I was here before the coastal expansion. Before there were docks and that expansion into the South and East. Before that Vampires were already connected to businesses like the casino. Now that more places have opened up you have to wonder how many shops in that new mall are human owned. Same thoughts to the new places you see in the north or south of prominent locations. They find themselves in the wilderness that are allegedly patrolled by supernatural creatures. The church is one of these places. I noticed the thrum of paladin power in the air, but I wonder how many newly erected places in the woods would love to have me for dinner," a brief smile touched my face as I tried to make light of a serious situation.
Clearing my throat I continued, "The expansion is a double edged sword. On one hand vampires seem to have been given less chances to be stupid. I spot them less now. People are less likely to walk as the easy stray meal. On the other it is easier to get evidence that is becoming harder and harder to be refuted. Even the other day I had managed to take a picture of something not natural, but it blurred toward me and ran off with my phone. Opportunities like that used to NEVER present themselves. Now, they do," Stagger wanted to know what it was like between the two places in time so I was telling him. Anything little thing I could. "There is a lot more than this for the record, but I am going to give you a moment to process."
Trust was going to take time. I knew that and so did he. However, it was something earned with actions. Maybe I earned a little with the news.
"The independent hitlist on the crownet. It used to be different. People I recognize now and have put names to faces used to bicker on that thing. It makes me think some vampires are a lot like bratty children. Back then it was filled with ridiculous amounts of money and a name. Sometimes names would appear two to four times. You get the feeling there was either some really pissed off lovers or business partners. However, this activity has since died down so they've become less public spectacles," that was point one, a little inconsequential I had to admit.
"Just like the Government, Sorcerers, and blood thieves came the vampires have increased their numbers. If you want to say both the humans and the vampires are divided each had their baby boom fairly recently. Maybe the vampires are just evening the numbers, maybe a bunch of vampire women suddenly felt their hormonal clock go off and they felt like turning, I do not know, but the population has exploded. If you want to question how I know that, it's simple logic. A city will grow in population, more crowds will be seen in various spots, more businesses will arise, new buildings will be built, but Haprer isn't like normal cities. You and I know it has vampires. With word hitting on the internet that vampires may be real it's sure to bring out some people, but given the feeding habits of this city and the population rank either staying steady if not growing....You can't tell me all of these people are human," I tried to explain. The baby boom of the supernatural was just simple facts.
I could feel My Dark Friend resisting the urge to snore. This was valuable information, but he knew it already. However, he endured because I liked Stagger. He seemed like decent people, but I wasn't ready to give him trust. That caution went both ways. If I suddenly found myself being attacked by vampires then I would make sure Stagger was a slab of meat upon my operating table.
"I was here before the coastal expansion. Before there were docks and that expansion into the South and East. Before that Vampires were already connected to businesses like the casino. Now that more places have opened up you have to wonder how many shops in that new mall are human owned. Same thoughts to the new places you see in the north or south of prominent locations. They find themselves in the wilderness that are allegedly patrolled by supernatural creatures. The church is one of these places. I noticed the thrum of paladin power in the air, but I wonder how many newly erected places in the woods would love to have me for dinner," a brief smile touched my face as I tried to make light of a serious situation.
Clearing my throat I continued, "The expansion is a double edged sword. On one hand vampires seem to have been given less chances to be stupid. I spot them less now. People are less likely to walk as the easy stray meal. On the other it is easier to get evidence that is becoming harder and harder to be refuted. Even the other day I had managed to take a picture of something not natural, but it blurred toward me and ran off with my phone. Opportunities like that used to NEVER present themselves. Now, they do," Stagger wanted to know what it was like between the two places in time so I was telling him. Anything little thing I could. "There is a lot more than this for the record, but I am going to give you a moment to process."
Trust was going to take time. I knew that and so did he. However, it was something earned with actions. Maybe I earned a little with the news.
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Stagger Lee
- Registered User
- Posts: 182
- Joined: 29 May 2013, 21:26
Re: A Guide (Stagger Lee)
“Living in Harper Rock these days is like a high stake gamble. High risk, high potential gain”, Stagger Lee replied to Badal’s remark about luck. Stag made a lot of money these days. But he paid a price, he got shot at by cops and bitten by vampires most every day. Fortunately he was a much better marksman than the cops and the bite hurt the vampires now more than it hurt him, thanks to the magical relic he carried with him all the time. “In the streets of Harper Rock you will always need some luck to survive. But..” Stagger Lee grinned, “..its like in gambling, if you got the right technique you can shift the odds to your side.”
He then listened to what Badal said. He knew the vampires had a hitlist, he actually was now able to read it from his webphone. But he had never bothered much about it. Not worth getting killed for a few thousand bucks. Badal seemed to know about the vampires’ inner organization. Either he was a hacker just like Stag, or had a lot of inside contacts. “You hack, too?” He asked the man as casually as possible. “Can get a lot of info like that. Vampires used to speak more freely on their ‘Crownet’ though, before Eachann managed to hack into it – but couldn’t keep his mouth shut on there.” Eachann had been a strange guy, so brave, so talented. And yet much too rash and foolish for his own good. The paladin could have done so much good for the human community on the whole had he had a bit more patience and common sense. But it seemed he was dead now, dead like so many others who could have made a difference.
“Yes the paladins have a place out there” Stag added as Badal went on, not yet giving away that he was a member of the Order, well at least theoretically. All his contacts in the Order were either dead or turned by now. “I agree to the number of vampires and other supernatural critters growing. Have you yet seen the encantados and the jorugumos? This is freakish stuff. But our numbers, Badal, unfortunately they aren’t growing at all. Almost every day one of our best, one of our most talented, dies, leaves the city or gets turned.”
He looked at Badal now. “I am not one of the guys who wants an all out war against the vampires. I’d be dead and gone too by now if that was what I was doing. But seeing the numbers of my allies and potential allies dwindle every day I need new allies. And I want to make sure they learn the right techniques to avoid going down like the others. That’s one of the reasons why I opened this shop. And that’s the reason why I am willing to teach you what I know.”
He paused for a moment than said. “We have talked a lot now, how about some action? Have you seen the critters in the caverns yet? Or would you rather like to go hunting for a vampire? I don’t touch the experienced, well connected ones, yet. But the stray young ones are easy targets. Good for practice.”
He then listened to what Badal said. He knew the vampires had a hitlist, he actually was now able to read it from his webphone. But he had never bothered much about it. Not worth getting killed for a few thousand bucks. Badal seemed to know about the vampires’ inner organization. Either he was a hacker just like Stag, or had a lot of inside contacts. “You hack, too?” He asked the man as casually as possible. “Can get a lot of info like that. Vampires used to speak more freely on their ‘Crownet’ though, before Eachann managed to hack into it – but couldn’t keep his mouth shut on there.” Eachann had been a strange guy, so brave, so talented. And yet much too rash and foolish for his own good. The paladin could have done so much good for the human community on the whole had he had a bit more patience and common sense. But it seemed he was dead now, dead like so many others who could have made a difference.
“Yes the paladins have a place out there” Stag added as Badal went on, not yet giving away that he was a member of the Order, well at least theoretically. All his contacts in the Order were either dead or turned by now. “I agree to the number of vampires and other supernatural critters growing. Have you yet seen the encantados and the jorugumos? This is freakish stuff. But our numbers, Badal, unfortunately they aren’t growing at all. Almost every day one of our best, one of our most talented, dies, leaves the city or gets turned.”
He looked at Badal now. “I am not one of the guys who wants an all out war against the vampires. I’d be dead and gone too by now if that was what I was doing. But seeing the numbers of my allies and potential allies dwindle every day I need new allies. And I want to make sure they learn the right techniques to avoid going down like the others. That’s one of the reasons why I opened this shop. And that’s the reason why I am willing to teach you what I know.”
He paused for a moment than said. “We have talked a lot now, how about some action? Have you seen the critters in the caverns yet? Or would you rather like to go hunting for a vampire? I don’t touch the experienced, well connected ones, yet. But the stray young ones are easy targets. Good for practice.”