Path of the Vampire forum

The process by which one installs a fadeportal is almost far too mundane given the magical ability the thing holds. One needs only to go to a shop to buy… what? How could one even explain this thing? A doorway, almost, but ethereal. Though that particular person must be present to impart the doorway with its magical abilities; to whisper into it and tell it where it must take its traveller. And then all Jesse has to do is bring this thing home and install it where he wants it to be. Like throwing a firecracker at the ground and Tada! a sudden shimmering portal that will transport their bodies across the damned city.

The one that Jesse has just installed will take him to the Castle. He had dithered, for a while. The occupants of Foucault Castle are a challenge even for him, and there are fledglings wandering through Larch Court who could take this portal by accident. In the end, he decides that if they do and they get their asses kicked, it’ll only give them more motivation to make themselves stronger, better. Maybe inspire them to want to go back and take revenge for the ***-kicking.

On the table nearby, Jesse’s phone vibrates, dancing across the surface. Jesse wanders over and picks it up, swiping to read the message. He remembers the conversation he’d had with Renee not too long ago. He arches a brow and concentrates; tries to find the essence of Tara through the ether. He clings to her, spiritually, and tugs. To his delight, he finds that the girl must trust him. At least enough to let him summon her to his side. A broad and gleaming grin spreads over his lips.

”Welcome to Larch Court, Tara,” he says. He doesn’t bother introducing himself. If she has any common sense, she’ll realise who he is without even having to think about it.

Jesse nods.

”That is what we like to call Summon Ally. I’m glad to know you consider me an ally,” he smirks, before clearing his throat. He has a feeling he’ll be doing a lot of talking, and he regrets not filling up on blood before starting. But, perhaps in trying to fill Tara in on the things that she may or may not know, they’ll be able to sit down with a jug of blood. Just maybe.

”First – this is Larch Court number 12. I will make you a tome so that you can come and go as you please. A tome is a magic script that you read, and it’ll bring you to this very spot—“ he says, gesturing to the bottom of the staircase, ”—no matter where you are or what you are doing,” he says. The room they’re standing in isn’t small, but nor is it massive; there are some bunks in a corner, as well as a door that leads through to a small bathroom. In the other corner are some couches and comfortable-looking duvets. Jesse turns away from the girl to begin to lead her down the hallway.

”This is the basement, and in here you’ll find everything you need. If you’re low on blood, there’s always blood packs available. Computers, forge, crafting table, ritual table… whatever you need, it’s here. And if there’s something you think should be added, let me know and I’ll procure it,” he explains, and clears his throat again. His voice is husky, at some points nearly a whisper.

”There are also portals. They’ll take you to every pertinent point in the city. This here is like a hub of transportation. You’ll almost never have to walk or drive anywhere ever again,” he says with a smirk.

”Upstairs there are some more bunks and a more spacious kitchen and bathroom. You can stay here whenever you like. As for everything else? I don’t know. We can start from the very beginning, if you want. What has Renee told you already?”

Jesse takes a deep breath. From the beginning. That’s easy enough. He nods in response to the first question. ”Generally, yes. Vampires are rendered weak and useless by the rising of the sun. Some are able to walk in it, and stay awake—you need to be on the Killer path for that—and others can learn to just stay awake. I practiced, and I fought against it. I broke past some kind of wall, and I can at least stay awake. I’m not as strong, though,” he says with a shrug. He had mentioned the Killer path, which now leads him onto the second question.

”We all have paths that we are born into,” he says. Born, because it makes sense. It’s as if the vampiric blood picks up on traits that are already inherent in the human personality, psyche, or DNA. Jesse is slightly curious about how it works, but he never met a person he didn’t seem to suit the path that they walked. Born with them, rather than sired into them.

”They are specific traits that the vampiric blood seems to heighten in us. For example—I am a Necromancer. I have a fascination with Death and thus I appear more dead than others. I have a connection to the Shadow Realm. I can heal myself and others but I can also prevent healing, too. Renee and Axel are both Mystics, and have a connection to natural forces. The point I’m getting to? No, the majority of the paths cannot eat. And if they do adapt to the ability, they cannot taste anything. The only path that can eat and still taste—with practice, I’m told—are Allurists. Allurists are… charismatic, I suppose, and appear more human than the rest of us. As if they had never died,” he explains. After which, he narrows his eyes at Tara and reaches up to poke at her cheekbone with his forefinger. Tara, for example, does not look nearly as death-warmed-up as most other vampires that Jesse knows. For Allurists, though, there’s one simple test. As there’s one simple test with Shadows, too—both of which he will try on Tara.

”Can you see yourself in a mirror?” he asks.