A.R.E.S. - The Second Coming [Invite]

[Nikolae]

Nemesis was not certain if returning to the warehouse was a great idea, but he could not shake the feeling that perhaps others might be interested in ARES and what it could stand for. Truth be told, the initial meeting had gotten a little off track, a little out of hand. At least one of the strangers there had most certainly been too dim to really ‘get it’. Nemesis would worry about that particular Neanderthal later, watch his back and guard those who truly wanted to be a part of something against the one who had seemingly only come to the gathering to cause discourse and bully anybody out of trying to step from the proverbial shadows into the city. A troll, that was what they called them. Maybe the mask had hidden trollish features underneath. Certainly the creature’s mind was too stubbornly set to understand the concept of ARES, especially given how it had repeated itself to an incessant degree that had ultimately forced Nemesis to call the meeting to an end. He would never be considered a man of endless patience, but somehow that being had managed to erode every last drop of it Nemesis had to spare. A truly unique gift, if not one altogether useful in this town.

He paused outside the Warehouse and glanced around warily. He had been coming here now and then since the meeting had adjourned, having some bit of difficulty setting up the online place for members of ARES to gather and speak and plan their next moves. It was frustrating, to say the very least. He wanted to get things moving, and technical incapabilities were holding him back. Nemesis was typically a veritable genius at all things related to hacking and computers, and here was this obstacle standing in his way preventing him from meeting his goals. He never lost his goals.

He pushed into the warehouse and made sure no gang members or other nefarious beings had taken root in side. So far so good. He had begun routinely clearing the place out, and he had a feeling his efforts were reflecting on the neighborhood in general. There seemed to be less crime, at least here. Hopefully that would not come back to bite him in the ***. Being noticed for good was just as bad as being noticed for evil. Once certain things were as safe as they were going to be – and having set a couple of traps around the entrance in the interest of keeping surprises to a minimum – Nemesis perched himself on the lone table in the middle of the empty space.

Tonight he wore all black, as always, a Shadows typical attire. Black jeans, black t-shirt, black heavy ****-kicking boots, and a black leather jacket unzipped to allow for ease of movement. His favorite gun was settled against his side in it’s holster under his arm, and his favorite mister-stabby was strapped to his back. It was comfortable. The extra ammo was hidden in his coat, but he hoped he would not need it. To hide his face tonight he had opted for a simple black special forces mask which covered all but his eyes. His eyes were hidden behind black contact lenses – he had no choice but to hide the tell-tale dragon irises, the curse of his bloodline, though he hated contacts. They could so easily be a detriment in a battle; blood or debris in the eyes was easy enough to wash out or blink away, but not when a lense was jammed in there.

He had not bothered to think of a speech this time. The last one had been interrupted and ignored by the troll, and caused confusion ultimately as the conversation devolved into disagreements. It had been too soon to plan anything, that was all. The time for planning how to take back the city from the many humans and creatures that had a strangle hold on it would come once the group had been settled. Once the members of ARES were solidified and ready to support one another, with mutual respect and more than a drop of loyalty. This was dangerous ground, of that there was no question, but it need not be made more dangerous by recklessness and misunderstandings built upon a lack of trust and initiative. Fear of the unknown would plague every vampire in this town forever, if it was allowed to continue to be unknown at least. Nemesis was tired of that allowance. Tired of the relentless sameness that immortality had given him thus far. Pointless battles between pointless people supporting pointless groups. There had to be more. If there wasn’t, then what was the point of continuing on with this never ending life at all? He sighed, and shook his head with some self deprecation. Morose thoughts, the sort of thing his partner in crime Moros would probably smirk at him over. It was not at all like Nemesis. He was not about to admit defeat, pack up his toys, and slink back into the shadows. There were other like minded individuals in this town; others who knew something was going on in the city and were tired of the non-answers supplied. He had already gathered some, enough perhaps to begin altering the course of things. But surely there were others. That surety was what kept him coming back to this warehouse, though as yet had been somewhat disappointed in the results.

[Enzo Dragomir]

The paper held between his fingers was no longer crisp. Folded and refolded countless times as he had sat out on his balcony these last few nights. He knew even at his fledgling age there was so much wrong in this city. Too many supernaturals in one spot could only lead to catastrophe as the years added on. Who would leave to branch out when leaving meant the chance at forever death?

Vampires were predators and by nature predators were territorial. Either solitary beings wanting only to be left alone or small packs that stood together to keep strong. There was only so much territory to be had. Then you added in the other supernaturals he kept running into.. casters, vampire leechers, paladins... zombies. And whatever those thrown together monstrosities were, moon cows or whatever. Now Enzo had already known it behooved him to attempt making allies of sorcerers, but thus far all he'd met was a little French pratt who could barely snot out any magic at all.

Disappointing really.

He knew the humans were aware of some parts of the supernatural happenings here, the quarantine zone told them so. How much they knew was something he could agonize over if he let himself. How would things have ended if he'd known vampires were real before becoming one? It wasn't a far stretch to imagine himself as a hunter. It also wasn't a leap to see many humans taking that same step out of fear. Hell, there were other vampires that gave him the damn creeps too.

Enzo looked down at the flyer and then at the warehouse where the meeting was meant to be held. He'd missed it, hadn't even known of this world then so he wasn't sure why he kept returning here. He knew things couldn't go on as they were. All the pointless warring amongst themselves. How many of his bloodline would he never know, never meet because of it? How many of his own childer when he was ready to sire would perish? What was the point of even embracing anyone as things were? More mouths to feed on a diminishing herd, or stepping on the wrong toes only to be sent to shadow over and over until the fighting wore you down to going for the long sleep?

It was enough that his sire had felt the need to push into his head 'don't get dead. don't get involved in petty bickering'. It was something that should have been a given. The only fighting Enzo wanted to do was against those mindless monsters terrorizing their streets. Or those other supernaturals that wanted him dead for being what he was. He would protect the Dragomir line against anything, his blood demanded it. But he didn't want to have to protect them against other vampires. It seemed so damned foolish. He would of course, that was a given. It just would not be a happy occurence.

Circling the back of the warehouse again he leaned against the wall of the alley, staying in the shadows allowing the darkness of his clothes to blend him into the surrounding rubbish piles and other things that he didn't want to contemplate. Dark jeans, a black tee and leather jacket tailored to him for movement and negating any loose flaps or folds, combat boots he used while hunting and his hood up kept him well covered. He had a ski mask in his pocket but he wasn't hopeful he'd get to use it.

Leaning his head back to look up along the roofline, his Montante's hilt rested against his scalp, strapped to his back as the only way the large sword could be carried. His semi holstered at his hip and twin daggers strapped to his ankles and he was as prepared as he could be. He had innate abilities too, things designed to dominate and swarm victims and he used those things with terrible calculation. Enzo was a born tactician and had the added boon of having no mercy once forced to engage, be it in business, relationships or war. There was no quarter with him.

That was why he knew there had to be things done to improve the situation in HR. If he had been turned, then you could be sure there were others much like him out there. Others that weren't sympathetic to his line. Or species. Others with no mercy.

He wanted to speak to his sire about his fears for the future, and he broached it as best he could, but he had seen how Nikolae looked at those windows in Temple, the terrible sadness that flashed briefly in his eyes before becoming shuttered again, and he did not want to add to that sorrow. That was when he had found this wisp of paper, out hunting one night. Maybe he could do something to change things. Put his hat in the ring for a better future for their kind. Enzo shrugged to himself, about ready to give up for the night again, head home and change.. find a bite to eat.

Enzo wouldn't give up on this though. They had to meet sometime.

[Emeritus (DELETED 4718)]

Outfit

Music

Locked away from the world in his crypt, Emeritus had taken to a more isolated lifestyle since returning from his long stay in the Shadow Realm and though he had given himself over to the Darkness there slivers of his former life that could never be shaken. A flier had caught his eye on one of his nightly ventures into the city, scurrying about the city unseen from the shadows. He failed to arrive at the designated time, it was an idea he needed to contemplate heavily. To lend his abilities, once more, to aiding the city at large.

In his previous life the Allurist had proudly fought to maintain the masquerade, to maintain a certain balance between the inhabitants of Harper Rock. Hunting the vampires that had gone too far with their recklessness or careless in their display of supernatural abilities, putting all the vampires at risk over stupid behavior. But that version of himself felt like it had existed a million years ago. One thing that Emeritus still held dear was his own existence, despite the change that an extended “death” had created in his soul, despite the connection that he still felt to that void of torment, he still valued a solid form.

Occasionally during his nightly duties he would pass by the abandoned warehouse to see if he could spot any activity, especially on the nights he played the role of a hunter. Tonight happened to be one of those nights. Through subtle whispers he had caught wind of a particular Paladin that would stalk through the Old Town Cemetery on his quest of hunting vampires and as a new resident of the crypt he had all but stolen he felt it was best to end this threat as soon as possible. The ritual to find this wanna be predator was quick and simple and unluckily for the female, she happened to be in the cemetery now. His preparations to hunt was almost a ritual unto itself; kneeling before the altar adorned with statues representing darkness through all nations and religions, though he was not a religious man himself Emeritus found these gods and goddesses soothing. His hands made quick work of the black and white paints that would turn his statuesque face into that of a menacing skull, to become the Ghoul. When his hands had been cleansed he made his way over to the stone coffin he used for a chest, slipping into his custom garb he pulled the steel demon mask tightly over his face before finishing his gear with black leather gloves.

Concealed within his coat were a custom made pistol and dagger given to him by his sire, weapons he held dearly but would willingly share with any creature, man or beast, that stood in his way. The stone door of the crypt was opened easily, the hunt had begun. Stalking his way around the crypts and tombs he had quickly spotted his prey, attempting to make her way into another crypt he first allowed his mind to barrage and overwhelm the heavily tattooed woman before charging her, sending her crashing hard into the stone. A silent fury swept over the Allurist, the ever present screams of the souls filling his mind, perhaps this Paladin was the cause of some of their pain, no matter, he would return all that she had given tenfold. Though she had been caught off guard and her mind slightly weakened the woman drew her long, shining blade and took a swing at him, barely missing him before his familiar insect companions swarmed her, drawing the pistol quickly he placed two bullets perfectly above each eye socket; fitting the gun back into it’s holster he turned and walked away, disappointed that she had not given him a better fight.

There would be no need to feed tonight, one of his self induced fasts had only just begun. He strolled quietly down the sidewalks, hands clasped behind his back as he walked, simultaneously connected and separated from his surroundings. His mind had begun to wander, the encounter with the huntress bringing his focus back to what dangers lay for his kind; there were humans that eagerly hunted them, but the injustices did not befall only the undead, he had seen the military make their presence quite known in the city, he had seen politicians controlled by vampires and be pawns of the fae, and recently he had the massive surge of gangs and factions squabble over control of sections of the city. Though these things were, essentially, not of high importance to him, he was not naive enough to remain blind to the big picture. Something, someone, should fight for the protection of both the living and the undead. Though he had began his journey with no particular direction in mind, when he finally paid attention to where he was he had found himself at the warehouse from the flier and there actually seemed to be someone inside. He slipped through the door as quietly as he could, his voice low and raspy “hello?”

[Enzo Dragomir]

He was just about ready to push from his place in the shadows of the wall, just about to leave for the evening, calling it quits for now. Another wasted night in what was becoming vain hopes. He knew he'd return, he always did though he still didn't fully understand his desire, why it was so strong in him. Perhaps it was really as simple as the nightly reminders when he ventured into Temple and looked at those faces lost to them, forever kept from him. Everything they were or could have shared... gone.

Enzo's darkest angers escalated then, causing his fingers to fist in the black gloves that encased them. He knew it was irrational this feeling of having failed them some how, he had been brought into this world far after they had gone, but the blood coursing through him shrilled with protective indignation. It was good that Nikolae waited on telling him what had happened to each, maybe even knew that the Allurist would feel the rage of it too strongly as one so new. There was time, he was learning to harness the over abundance of feeling, channel it, use it, calm it.

As he was doing now. This.. this was something he could DO something he could have a hand in. If he could ever find the damned group. Shaking his head as he slowly moved forward, he almost missed the movement at one of the entrances, almost missed the silent closing of a door. He narrowed his eyes as if they were deceiving him, as if his desire had played a falsehood attempting to pacify him. But no, the door clicked shut.

Enzo pulled out his mask and donned it. Then he slipped out a slim pair of NvG's and put them over his tell tale eyes, adjusting the scope for fraction light. Adjusting his hood he silently crept forward toward the door, just in time to hear a voice moving further into the building as he too silently opened the door, slipped inside. Yes... it was no longer the empty feeling he always had in nights past. There were others here this time. Others he hoped could finally direct him toward realizing his goals. Things had to change, why not start with those still forming, growing, like him?

Holding those thoughts close to his chest, the Dragon quietly made his way fully inside.

[Nikolae]

Nemesis rarely felt the ticking of the clock, the inevitable slow passage of time. It was a fools errand to focus on such things, especially when one such as he could live forever. Truly, the only way to die and see what the next life even held was to leave these borders and walk into the sunrise. Now and then he even considered it, and quickly discarded the idea without merit. Still, he had been inside the warehouse for some time, and a glance at his pointless watch proved that fact. He grimaced and nearly stood when the door suddenly opened. He stiffened, a hand moving to the weapon at his hip naturally to rest over the grip of his gun. A flare of his nostrils and he felt the familiar sense that this one was a vampire. He hadn't truly expected a lot of humans to join his cause, but had been pleasantly surprised at the last gathering to hear those heartbeats. The other male spoke, and Nikolae stood finally in a fluid movement.

"Hello, stranger." He hesitated, considering his words. The man could have come here just to hunt for dinner or items to sell on the market. His hands were at his sides now, hanging loosely to show he meant no harm. Vampires were nothing if not cautious and ready to bite first and apologize later. Or never.

"Are you here for the flier?" He finally murmured carefully. It was as specific as he dared be, but not so vague that one who knew what he was speaking of wouldn't get the proverbial hint. He stiffened again when the door eased open, and he was glad he'd treated the damned thing with WD-40 before the first meeting. Nothing like rusty hinges squealing in the night to make well armed immortals jumpy.

He tilted his head to the newcomer slightly in greeting. "Welcome." He shifted his weight from one foot to the other carefully, easing into a slightly defensive posture though he still appeared to be at ease. Nemesis knew himself to be one of the strongest immortals that graced this putrid town, but two against one weren't odds he felt like rolling the dice on tonight. The second creature appeared to have a bit of paper in his hand, though from his vantage Nemesis could not yet confirm that it was one of the fliers he had created a month before. He gestured slightly with one hand.

"You missed the meeting," He said to the second man, to both creatures really. One last bit of a hint he hoped would pay off. Such a tenuous situation all of this was. The anonymity would protect him and all those involved, but it brought with it a fresh sort of danger.

[Emeritus (DELETED 4718)]

His leather clad fingers seemed to furl of their own accord at the rapid arrival of two other creatures, relaxing slowly when he saw no weapons had been drawn. The demon mask shifted from one to the other, lingering on each for only a moment. “I am” he uttered through his raspy voice, one hand extending to the side, the other folding along his waist as he bowed to each in turn. “Forgive my lateness, I was, let’s say tasked with other endeavors that took far longer to resolve than expected.” the smirk creasing his lips was obviously lost behind the mask. A slight bit of apprehension kept him from approaching either though he hoped to make the point clear that he was not here to pose a threat.

The one who had asked about the flier, the man that looked like he could be doing reconnaissance for some military black ops seemed to be the man in charge. “Are you the one that posted them?” The question may elicit any response but the Allurist felt it better to be certain he was not wasting his time. Casting another glance at the one that entered behind him “and I see I am not the only one that was late to the party” a small but audible laughter escaped him. Slowly, his hands again locked behind his waist, he made his way around the room, if this was some sort of way to lure in his kind and ambush them, there were few places to hide and he could sense no one else within the room, putting him at more ease.

A small tinge of hunger pain could be felt within his stomach but he had no time to focus on such an inconvenience and he was focused on the task at hand. As some of the distance between the trio was closed he spoke a little more directly “so tell me, if you are the one that put out this calling, what exactly are we to do?”

[Enzo Dragomir]

As the door slipped close behind him he noted the two others in the open space. The two had begun a careful dialect and he quickly ascertained the Demon clad figure was here for the same reason as he. The military garbed man was clearly more in the know than they so he inclined his head to the one wearing the face of the fallen and turned his attention to the other, answering his question. 'I was late to find this." he said simply, holding up the half folded flier. He felt no need to inform either of them that he'd been human blind a month ago and even had he seen the flier would have chalked it up to teenage LARP games.

Now he knew better and stepped further into the room, his hands clearly visible so as to let them both know he was not interested in starting violence. "I would know more." was again very simply stated, his words crisp and low hiding the earnestness he felt, the need to set his hands into doing something other than existing. Eternity clinging to the rituals of sameness, just getting by... what appeal did that have? What appeal did the thought of losing any more family he was just getting to know have? He had come into this world with a brood protectiveness that was as undeniable as it was powerful and it simply could not be ignored. The Allurist knew it too was a by product of what he was, the levels of bonding were intensified as were the emotions... but he really didn't care. Knowing what it was didn't change the fact that it just was.

He folded the flier yet again and tucked it into his breast pocket, leaning back against the wall close to the door in an attempt to alleviate some of his great height, 6"4 could and did often alarm others even when he had no ill intent so he carefully held out the olive branch by lowering the unconscious intimidation. He moved slowly and with calculated precision so that they both knew the action for what it was, and then he held his counsel waiting to hear what was said.

[Nikolae]

Nemesis eyed the pair from behind his sunglasses, taking stock from a distance. He could assess them, if he wanted, but that would break the cardinal rule of anonymity he was pressing so hard for with ARES. He smiled behind the mask and rolled his shoulders back easily, looking as relaxed as immortal Shadow possibly could be. “It’s no problem. I was hoping others might trickle in, hear word of what we had done here that night, and want to join the endeavor too.” He replied with a nod. He shifted on the table he was sat on, getting more comfortable – or as comfortable as one really could be in that position.

“These first informal gatherings are just that – informal.” He began, in answer to the demons last question. He sat his hands on the tops of his thighs. “Gauge interest, I guess you could say. I could regale you with the same questions I gave to the others, if you like.” He flashed a little smile behind the mask, unable to help himself, and thinking mildly that the dependence on unspoken words was just as important to communication. How odd. He would have to consider the consequences later.

“There are a lot of unanswered questions in this city of the damned we live in. Why are we here? Why can’t we leave without risk of permanent death? What’s the deal with these raids that keep popping up? What are the Fae’s goals? Why is it, exactly, that zombies keep popping up inside the quarantine zone? And most importantly – what do the humans have to do with it all? With their quarantines, and military installations. Who is pulling the Mayors strings, and how long until that person decides to see how much pull a town mayor really has?”

He spread his hands out in front of himself in the air and gave a shrug. “Just some among many. The many unanswered questions that, to my eternal bafflement, nobody seems to be asking. Nobody seems to want to find out. Well. I am asking now. I intend to find out. ARES intends to find out. The more people on board to do so, the better. And maybe, just maybe, our species can stop simply reacting to the chaos that is eternally thrust on us – and be prepared to take it on the moment it steps in front of our path instead. It’s a hope. A grand hope. But one I have nonetheless.”

He hesitated then, gazing at the two. He would let them thinking it over. He had given them the cliffnotes version of the first meeting – and it was a lot better that way, he thought to himself. Less chance for interruptions with pointless banter. What did Secrecy matter really, when vampires were slaughtering each other in the streets on a regular. What did Secrecy matter, when their very existence was threatened by far greater things than an iphone and a youtube account. Nemesis had a lot bigger things on his mind than shooting someone for getting caught breaking and entering. But, he had always been a bigger picture kind of guy. He hoped he wouldn’t be alone in that thought forever.

[Enzo Dragomir]

Silent as the male spoke, Enzo found him voicing many of the things he himself had been mulling over. He had been to the QZ and had hunted the shuffling dead there, honing his skills until he could slice through the dead meat like rotting butter. He didn't visit there often anymore, having found nastier things in the catacombs beneath the mausoleums, things that gave him something to continue strengthening himself upon. He knew he was forming fast, he pushed himself hard, and it felt good to be competent. But it also opened up questions, pandora's box as he came upon stranger things than he could have ever dreamed.

He knew as well he was fortunate in Sire's, as his had been around for some time, since HR had started vomiting out nasties, themselves included, and had answers for most of his questions. Or could point him in the right direction as was more his wont. Send Enzo out to seek for himself with enigmatic partial answers and a general place to satisfy his ever growing list of things he wanted to know. He respected that way of teaching. It was shadowy. That thought caused his lips to curl in an amused smile that was well hidden beneath his mask.

So here he was, on a quest to find reasons for just the things this fang was listing, find ways to become more than just another fledgling Allurist with fond wishes to rule the world. And he'd met a few of his kind... and was firmly under the impression half of them wouldn't survive the week let alone eternity. It was a sorry view of his path really. Imbreeding perhaps. He wasn't from this small city, brought fresh blood to the table. That was something else he wanted to understand. Why he could never chance leaving, why death was permanent in the old world... or anywhere else really. He could imagine eternity closing in upon him, claustraphobic and pitiful, insanities pressing down upon him as he aged. And he was cursed to feel it more strongly than other paths... so would he be Bedlamite before he could even taste real power?

Sobering thought.

"say I was interested...' he began, his cultured British accent lending itself to the seriousness in which he took this topic. "where would we begin?" he knew he wanted... no needed to be involved. He just had to convey that to the man whose words mirrored his own thoughts so well.

[Nikolae]

Nemesis tilted his head in the direction of the one who had spoke. The other must be still contemplating his words, hopefully with the same reaction this one had. He curled his hands at his side then let them relax again, a reflex and nothing more. He nearly smiled, though it would have been pointless behind his mask. Ah, the limitations of anonymity.

"Say you were interested. You join our group, ARES, and you help us in our endeavors. We've only just begun thinking of what our first move will be. Perhaps you could offer insight that others do not have. That's the goal, really. A melding of minds that can see more than my own can. It would be easy to continue acting alone, but what would be the point in that? Strength in numbers has always been the name of the game in this town, and now I believe that sentiment is even more true than ever."

He paused, and reached into his pocket carefully - making sure both men could see his movements were innocent and not reaching for his weapon. He removed a small pad of paper and pen, tossing it to the one who had spoken.

"A code name. Not your true identity. No one must know that. It could get you killed in this town. And a burner phone number. You'll be given access to a secure website where the discussions are being held." He thought a moment and then tilted his head. "Be warned. There are humans among us. Unique humans. They have their own abilities, amazing ones at that. And they have just as much to lose and gain in this town as we all do. Do not try to eat them, they're liable to kill you for the offense or at least try, and none of us would stop them. They are our allies in this new movement."