General World of Darkness Discussion Thread QQ Edition

[Rivan9000]

Huh... I was surprised by the Wereshark. Didn't think it would actually show up.

I like the tone of the thing. In a odd way, despite enjoying Hunter the Parenting so much, the idea of writing something comedic with vampires did not occur to me. Note that Kevin is funny to me because he is... THE GREAT AND MIGHTY KEVIN!

Maybe if I do more snippets I'll try harder to capture the comedy over the Darkness.

As an aside, I did try writing Big-D....

NOT EASY. The best I could get was a sort of incomplete version of him.

Anywho...

Brain is mush. Mage be scary. Read more tomorrow.

 

[shadowdice]

TOTAL BAALI DEATH!

Kill Baali, behead Baali, roundhouse kick Baali into the concrete, slam dunk a Baali baby into the trash can, crucify filthy Baali, defecate into Baali food, launch Baali into the sun, stir fry Baali in a wok, toss Baali into active volcanoes, urinate into Baali's gas tank, Judo throw Baali into a wood chipper, twist Baali heads off, report Baali to the IRS, karate chop Baali in half, curb stomp pregnant Baali (because they're pregnant with insects), trap Baali in quicksand, Crush Baali in the trash compactor, liquify Baali in a vat of acid, eat Baali, dissect Baali, exterminate Baali in the gas chamber, stomp Baali skulls with steel-toed boots, cremate Baali in the oven, lobotomize Baali, drown Baali in fried chicken grease, vaporize Baali with a raygun, kick old Baali down the stairs, feed Baali to alligators, slice Baali with a katana.

ALL OF THEM!

Infernalists get the sun.

(She's adorable. Ocean City Nights is indeed good stuff.)

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one of my few things when it came to that series is that when the second one said ventrue i was expecting ventrue not a maeghar who doesn't know he is a maeghar for most of it. Same with Caitiff that is actually Baali.

Which is saying a lot from me because I actually like the maeghar despite the mess which is their unique discipline. Like in all honestly i prefer the older edition version of Mytherceria because the first two dots are basically weird auspex (and due to how they work a maeghar might have auspex anyways as a discipline) and the third dot in the newer version is one where it is super situational.

Meanwhile, GOBLINISM when used correctly would be goddamn amazing even if I would have it be that you need to pay your goblin workers.

Nosferatu: Who made an entire underground complex with no one figuring it out, WHICH WASN'T MY CLAN?

Like, I enjoy bloodlines, it is just that I prefer for the character to know what bloodline they are in and I was honestly confused about the times in the first one where she said she was a tremere and I wasn't sure if she thought her actual sire was a tremere or if people were doing the blood test which causes baali blood to show up as tremere.

 

[Sol Hammer]

I like the tone of the thing. In a odd way, despite enjoying Hunter the Parenting so much, the idea of writing something comedic with vampires did not occur to me.

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Flynn's WoD stories have been described as 'The World of Darkness: Abridged', so that should tell you something when continuing.

 

[Bommel]

Maybe if I do more snippets I'll try harder to capture the comedy over the Darkness.

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There's a lot of comedy to be found in the WoD, because quite honestly, the setting is off it's shit.

Spoiler: Bruva Alfabusa - The Most Bonkers Tabletop Setting Ever

 

[gale]

There's a lot of comedy to be found in the WoD, because quite honestly, the setting is off it's shit.

Spoiler: Bruva Alfabusa - The Most Bonkers Tabletop Setting Ever

Click to shrink...

It has tons of comedy but it also has a tons of stories that are wroth telling and are rather serious

 

[Skitzyfrenic]

Not really comedic so much as absurd, I think.

It's not really comedic that demon-beer makes people beat their spouses. But it is certainly absurd.

And the more context you have for it, the less comedic it becomes. It's one of a hundred, a thousand, ten-thousand methods Pentex and it's backers are using to take control of the world. Since they generate power or create weaknesses that they can exploit from such things, because it's a supernatural world, the destruction of love and joy and happiness makes sense.

 

[chillyAvian]

A vampire might literally steal candy from a baby one night.

It's because the last time he spoke to his mortal daughter she said something about wanting a lollipop, so he's getting her one.

It's only after he's done the deed that he remembers that she's now 35, and not three and a half, like she was the last time he saw her.

 

[Ragura]

Flynn's stories are realistic in the way that is is something players would do

 

[shadowdice]

A vampire might literally steal candy from a baby one night.

It's because the last time he spoke to his mortal daughter she said something about wanting a lollipop, so he's getting her one.

It's only after he's done the deed that he remembers that she's now 35, and not three and a half, like she was the last time he saw her.

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Be a 22 to 35 year old person desperate to better your life after having spent most of your life with a single mom that got infrequent payments from a dad that dipped out

Get dragged into a group of hunters due to circumstances but you are almost immediately thrown in an encounter with a human bullet train that kills all your new friends because it turns out your dad was turned into an angry super fast super strong vampire 20 years ago and he presumed you were kidnapped

Dad Vampire: So, uh, you see why I didn't stick around.

Be covered in the entrails of your buddies due to splash damage from people being Sprinted Through

Edit

On that note I am surprised more setite neonates aren't "I hate you I'll kill you" for how often Setites destroy the lives of their fledgelings like the Lasombra do

Setite neonate that goes Jackal instead of Serpent and wants to violently murder every setite they meet for destroying the family with false accusations and drugs and mind control

 

[Rivan9000]

A vampire might literally steal candy from a baby one night.

It's because the last time he spoke to his mortal daughter she said something about wanting a lollipop, so he's getting her one.

It's only after he's done the deed that he remembers that she's now 35, and not three and a half, like she was the last time he saw her.

Click to shrink...

I am now sad.

Dad Vampire: So, uh, you see why I didn't stick around

Click to shrink...

I… don't know what to feel. I mean he cares?

 

[chillyAvian]

The Setites' gimmick is brainwashing people into nihilistic Set worshippers. The Clans are very good at doing their gimmicks.

I am now sad.


I… don't know what to feel. I mean he cares?

Click to shrink...

He cares as much as Humanity 3~4 can let him, which isn't much and is very warped.

 

[gale]

The Setites' gimmick is brainwashing people into nihilistic Set worshippers. The Clans are very good at doing their gimmicks.

Click to shrink...

Lasombra Faithful Fanatics ("We are the Monsters of God") vs Setties sounds a very fun thing to have happen

 

[Notsae66]

TOTAL BAALI DEATH!

Kill Baali, behead Baali, roundhouse kick Baali into the concrete, slam dunk a Baali baby into the trash can, crucify filthy Baali, defecate into Baali food, launch Baali into the sun, stir fry Baali in a wok, toss Baali into active volcanoes, urinate into Baali's gas tank, Judo throw Baali into a wood chipper, twist Baali heads off, report Baali to the IRS, karate chop Baali in half, curb stomp pregnant Baali (because they're pregnant with insects), trap Baali in quicksand, Crush Baali in the trash compactor, liquify Baali in a vat of acid, eat Baali, dissect Baali, exterminate Baali in the gas chamber, stomp Baali skulls with steel-toed boots, cremate Baali in the oven, lobotomize Baali, drown Baali in fried chicken grease, vaporize Baali with a raygun, kick old Baali down the stairs, feed Baali to alligators, slice Baali with a katana.

ALL OF THEM!

Infernalists get the sun.

(She's adorable. Ocean City Nights is indeed good stuff.)

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You know, as a Baali, I'm feeling rather discriminated against. Oppressed even. My religious freedom is being trampled upon! Truly, the legions of the damned are the true proletariat. Smh, no respect for honest, hardworking infernalists around here.

Thanks! I know I'm coming into the whole thing from a place of ignorance but it really is a fascinating setting. I'll try not to say anything too dumb.

I mean, I'll fail but I'll definitely make an effort.
Edit:

*Copium intensifies!*

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Saying stupid shit is part of the learning process. Eventually, you'll take enough verbal bricks to the face to either correct your wrongthink or even more firmly entrench your headcanon against all vile logic and nefarious reason. Even the oldest of us elders here have our explicitly not properly canon views, after all.

As for the doomed yuri... Yeah, they're prolly both gonna die. In fact, most likely, Hunts eviscerates Amanda, then gets decapitated while she's staring at her bloodstained claws in classic "what have I done," horror. Because Alphabusa hates you. And me. But hey, maybe they'll get lucky and Hunts will actually hesitate at the sight of her only sorta kinda friend amongst humanity and that'll be the bridge to Big D talking the pack down, she did go back and make an enemy of a Bane she helped (which, uh, spiritual corruption anyone? Good Garou don't talk to banes, just stab them) over her so... maybe. It's not impossible. Not likely, not not impossible.

There's a lot of comedy to be found in the WoD, because quite honestly, the setting is off it's shit.

Spoiler: Bruva Alfabusa - The Most Bonkers Tabletop Setting Ever

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To this day, I love bringing up the steampunk wizards fighting a war against dinosaur riding Nazis for control over the Hollow Earth as one of the slap in the face fucking crazy lore tidbits.

The Setites' gimmick is brainwashing people into nihilistic Set worshippers. The Clans are very good at doing their gimmicks.

Click to shrink...

I have never understood why anyone tolerates Settites. As far as I'm concerned, they're just diet Baali and should be treated as such. Kill on sight, burn everything they touch, slaughter anyone who knowingly associates with them. They have almost exactly the same goals (to many of the Baali factions anyway) and many of the same methodologies, they just have an organized religion with a God that's totally not just the fucking Wyrm in a skin suit. Whether you work with disperate demons or one dark "god," you are an infernalist and should be treated as one. Consistency matters! If you hate the Baali for being coreuptive monsters seeking to hand the world to dark forces on a platter, you should hate the Settites for being exactly the same, even if they are a knockoff. Any domain of mine is a no flyzone for Setites, and the fact I'm definitely worse is not relevant at all.

 

[shadowdice]

Lasombra Faithful Fanatics ("We are the Monsters of God") vs Setties sounds a very fun thing to have happen

Click to shrink...

When the hunters pause in confusion as a vampire that can make shadow tentacles rips off his shirt to reveal a chest covered in Catholic imagery shouting that he shall destroy all agents of Satan as the shadows become supernatural armor and weaponry to murder satanist vampires or a Wyrm cult or Setites

Hunters: Vampires can be actually religious?

Lasombra: I believe God made the world, those people worship an actual snake that wants to destroy it!

When the other clans go and say that since the Setites believe in an entirely different genealogy that means they can exclude them from the bare level of tolerance family gets

 

[gale]

When the hunters pause in confusion as a vampire that can make shadow tentacles rips off his shirt to reveal a chest covered in Catholic imagery shouting that he shall destroy all agents of Satan as the shadows become supernatural armor and weaponry to murder satanist vampires or a Wyrm cult or Setites

Hunters: Vampires can be actually religious?

Lasombra: I believe God made the world, those people worship an actual snake that wants to destroy it!

When the other clans go and say that since the Setites believe in an entirely different genealogy that means they can exclude them from the bare level of tolerance family gets

Click to shrink...

Honestly I am pretty sure more then a few Lasombra think that Setities are just a breed of Bali waring a new mask. I say this due to the fact many older Lasombra do in fact believe they are Gods Monsters and that servants of the Satan should be hunted and killed. They are GODS Monsters dammit.

 

[shadowdice]

Honestly I am pretty sure more then a few Lasombra think that Setities are just a breed of Bali waring a new mask. I say this due to the fact many older Lasombra do in fact believe they are Gods Monsters and that servants of the Satan should be hunted and killed. They are GODS Monsters dammit.

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I want my coalition of Nagaraja and heretic Setites that want to overthrow the main clan due to sheer hatred of their Slaaneshi leanings

 

[Notsae66]

Honestly I am pretty sure more then a few Lasombra think that Setities are just a breed of Bali waring a new mask. I say this due to the fact many older Lasombra do in fact believe they are Gods Monsters and that servants of the Satan should be hunted and killed. They are GODS Monsters dammit.

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That's because they more or less are mkrally equivalent, hell I'd even say the Setities are worse. They don't have the whole "demon vampires" thing and can't reembrace others, but ideologically the difference between them are semantic. Hell, the Baali are arguably moraly superior! Baali serve/work with dark forces and corrupt the world for various selfish goals, while the Settites just want to enshitify everything because they're cunts. At least the Baali have understandable motivations (sometimes) like power and dominion, they get a direct reward for luring people into the depths and eating children, the dark spirits they work with will directly reward them for spreading corruption, whereas the Settites do it because their shitty "I can't believe it's not the Wyrm," "god" told them to and gives them nothing in return.

 

[shadowdice]

, whereas the Settites do it because their shitty "I can't believe it's not the Wyrm," "god" told them to and gives them nothing in return.

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I honestly think Set was Wyrm corrupted or tried to do what Ennoia is doing with the earth and botched his roll

 

[Notsae66]

I honestly think Set was Wyrm corrupted or tried to do what Ennoia is doing with the earth and botched his roll

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Yeah, that's pretty much my headcanon as well. I think he was a particularly nasty ante, who had the bright idea to try and diablerize the Wyrm, and wound up a skinsuit that dissolved eventually. Trying to eat gods is not an uncommon ambition for antediluvians, and it never tends to end well.

 

[Bommel]

It has tons of comedy but it also has a tons of stories that are wroth telling and are rather serious

Click to shrink...

Not really comedic so much as absurd, I think.

It's not really comedic that demon-beer makes people beat their spouses. But it is certainly absurd.

And the more context you have for it, the less comedic it becomes. It's one of a hundred, a thousand, ten-thousand methods Pentex and it's backers are using to take control of the world. Since they generate power or create weaknesses that they can exploit from such things, because it's a supernatural world, the destruction of love and joy and happiness makes sense.

Click to shrink...

One of the big reasons why the comedy/absurdism of WoD works so well is the same reason why Scrubs worked so well.
Scrubs had both the comedy and ernest emotional drama, which strengthen each other by contrasting, but also made each other stronger because the comedy was fully intergrated into the story, so they can come from the same situation (sometimes something that was comedic at first turns out becoming very emotional or even tragic later on).

It isn't just a dramashow with random comedy pushed in and than completely forgotten (such as Family Guy), the points both the comedy and drama come from are intergrated in the story, and have actual consiquences and are treated serious (or at least realistically) by the characters in-universe.
And the same is true for WoD.

Yes there are a whole bunch of wacky and absurd things part of the world, but that in no way makes it any less dangerous to the people who live there.
The evil fastfood chain putting demons in the food is silly, but it still results in domestic abuse and possibly mariticide or uxoricide.
Or Burgermen, who are meant to be a fairly amusing, black comic relief sort of fomor, but if a regular average human is attacked by a burgerman then they can still be easily be killed.
Or how the moonlanding caused the fairies to be able come back into reality again, which in no way makes them any less dangerous or prevents them from kidnapping, enslaving, twisting and breaking people, or outright killing people in incredibly horrifying and impossibly creative ways.

 

[LeftWaiting]

Or how the moonlanding caused the fairies to be able come back into reality again, which in no way makes them any less dangerous or prevents them from kidnapping, enslaving, twisting and breaking people, or outright killing people in incredibly horrifying and impossibly creative ways.

Click to shrink...

Generally most Fae in classic WoD are against that sort of thing.

 

[Bommel]

Generally most Fae in classic WoD are against that sort of thing.

Click to shrink...

Wasn't that how new changelings are made or am I completely off about that?

 

[Rivan9000]

Saying stupid shit is part of the learning process.

Click to shrink...

Thanks. Honestly that does feel welcoming.

I will say this stupid thing.

Stig. I can't help but... dislike the man. (just to be clear. he is fantastically written and actually quite entertaining) I get the Rage thing wasn't really his fault. Based on what I picked up it was essentially a bad dice roll.

But it hit on... some old timey feelings. It was the fact he gave his word to an incredibly brave woman that it would be a fair fight. (note even if Grimmal was a Vampire I'd still call her brave) But the moment she proves herself capable?

The monster came out.

Like I said, I get that from a mechanical pov it was involuntary. But it's also a real bee in me bonnet.

As an aside, the show really does put in perspective how easy the Fledgling had it in the Bloodlines. I've seen someone on reddit guess that the in-story reason would be the wolf was in a Rage and thus couldn't use any Gifts.

Oh speaking of which. Do we have a place over here for World of Darkness snippets? I did write two (utterly self-indulgent) things and right now my sick brain thinks it's a grand idea to bring em over here.

Also, to offset the stupid I will speak an objective truth....

Stig and Hunts are right. Jambles just didn't try hard enough to be a maid!

 

[gale]

Wasn't that how new changelings are made or am I completely off about that?

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So Changeling Fans are pain in the ass. Just like their splat.


So, I have read and know the lore let me give a basic view.

Changelings are fey souls who have replaced the human soul of newborn. What you listed are possible ways of gaining dark Glamor, which is very much thing one faction of Changelings like getting. The other is more artistic and western fantasy, they don't really do sci fi which is something a issue for many of them.

 

[Nervaqus987]

But it hit on... some old timey feelings. It was the fact he gave his word to an incredibly brave woman that it would be a fair fight. (note even if Grimmal was a Vampire I'd still call her brave) But the moment she proves herself capable?

The monster came out.

Click to shrink...

Yeah, that was basically picture perfect Garou behavior.

They try to be honorable, they try to do good in the fight against the Wyrm. But then something goes wrong, the Rage takes hold, and very rarely are they the ones who suffer for it.

From there, it's up to the Garou in question how they deal with the fall out. Do they justify it to themselves, say they have no responsibility for what happened or that they were right to Rage as they did? Or do they treat it as a failure on their part, say they have fallen short of their standards for themselves and try to make it right however they can?

 

[LeftWaiting]

Wasn't that how new changelings are made or am I completely off about that?

Click to shrink...

New as in NewChangeling/Changeling:The Lost yes, new as in new changelings from Changeling:The Dreaming/OldChangeling no.
Lost is Chronicles Of Darkness/New World Of Darkness, Dreaming is Old/Classic World Of Darkness.

 

[Gedou_Meta]

Oh speaking of which. Do we have a place over here for World of Darkness snippets? I did write two (utterly self-indulgent) things and right now my sick brain thinks it's a grand idea to bring em over here.

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In theory we have one here. In practice, who knows.

 

[Skitzyfrenic]

Oh speaking of which. Do we have a place over here for World of Darkness snippets? I did write two (utterly self-indulgent) things and right now my sick brain thinks it's a grand idea to bring em over here.

Click to shrink...

Theoretically, there is a deleted thread.

Practically, here. Just do it here. This thread has traffic, and I would say a snippet in WoD would be on topic.

 

[gale]

I would agree, just do things here. I have thought about it before but nothing truly came to mind yet.

 

[Rivan9000]

Okie dokie. Just wanted to make sure I didn't step on any toes.

A bit of background, the idea was to take what I RP'd my console cheat sheet version of the Fledgling and dump her into Hunter the Parenting. Partly as a break from writing my main fic and also to see how well I could capture the voices of the cast (mixed bag that one.)

Spoiler: Ep 1: spoiled for size

I was in the middle of wiping down the counters when she came in again.

It wasn't all that hard to sniff out what she was. She had that same... aura of that beast I fought in the burning forest.

Such a strong thing. I had barely managed to survive...

Then again, I still had been the victor and I was stronger now.

Much stronger.

The bar was empty as she took her usual seat.

"The usual Matilda?" My voice echoed through the empty bar.

A growl and a shallow nod were her answer. I moved, as a human would. Mixing the drink just the way she liked it. I could feel her eyes and I made no attempt to hide what I was doing.

On the contrary. I made sure she saw everything.

"You're a Vampire."

She spoke, rough. Like teeth grinding down stone. As I kept working I considered how best to reply.

"So, we're acknowledging it then? I don't mind but the status quo suited me." I finished the mix and handed her a glass. "Want something to eat? You're a regular so I don't think the boss will mind if I fire up the stove."

She quirked her head just a bit. It reminded me of a dog I used to take care of. Poor thing was always so confused about why it couldn't walk through the screen door.

I missed that dog.

"Don't cook it too much. Bloodier the better. Just meat. Plain."

I nodded.

"Right, one blue rare coming right up."

That confused tilt.

"No... I do not want blue meat."

I didn't sigh or roll my eyes, though the urge was there. I supposed that not everyone was up to date on cooking terms.

Not for the first time I cursed my sire.

All that money and a scholarship to nice cooking school, wasted.

Just because I wanted a nice night with a pretty lady.

"Sorry." I said with as much compassion as I could conjure. My pains were not hers, nor had she done me ill. As things stood, she still deserved curtesy and respect. "It's just a chef's way of saying, a light searing but mostly raw. I didn't mean to cause any confusion."

Her eyes focused on me for a moment. Sharp things and deadly. I fought the instinct to smile, and I averted my eyes slightly. I didn't know how much 'wolf' a werewolf was, but I figured it was better to exercise caution.

It went about that way for a bit. Silence as I worked, a little hum in the back of my throat. It was a simple job but I was content.

Better than the backstabbing and butchery of the Camarilla. They really didn't like me killing LaCrox all that much.

Especially when they figured out that I hadn't even hit my stride yet.

If I hadn't gotten the heads-up, then... well it would have been a fight rather than the slaughter it was.

Would have to thank Jack for the heads up on that one. Might even have to stop poking him about the time he almost blew me up....

Nah!

The meat was seared just right and I delivered it to my hungry guest. After I didn't waste any time and got back to cleaning.

"You're strange."

I paused for moment and then shrugged. "Meh. Considering the bullshit my fellows get up, I'll take that as a compliment."

She shook her head. "No. Fuck, you make no sense." Agitation... but no aggression. Not yet. This was still fine. "Things like you stink! They stink of foul things. Corrupted things."

Huh?

Well, that stung a smidge.

"Sorry?" That might have been the wrong thing to say.

Considering that she shot to her feet and looked to be a few inches bigger.

"No!" She grabbed my shirt. "What are you?! You have the teeth, you don't blink enough and you have no breath. But the taint isn't there. What the fuck are you!?"

Something stirred in me. Angry and proud. It demanded I lay the pup low... just as I had done to the last one.

And I was so much stronger this time.

That bloody Cab Driver had seen to that. Even now, in my own head I would not give him the dignity of his name. He had a debt to pay and I would collect.

No.

I stilled myself.

Rage, fury and pride would do no one any good here. Patience and empathy had won many a night.
I would them be my weapons of choice in this.

"Well, the name I'm going by for now is Renna. Not my real name of course but that thing has a habit of attracting the wrong sort." I kept my voice calm, not letting even a sliver of indignation bubble to the surface.

Not an easy thing. I'd always had a temper, and the Beast made it worse.

"And yeah, I'm Kindred. Don't know anything about stink. All I can say is that I have no intent to do you and yours harm. All I want is to work my shift and live my un-life in a way I will not regret."

And that was the crux of it.

Regret.

At the end of the day... I was a parasite wasn't I? I needed the blood of others to keep on existing and I wasn't brave enough to die. Not again. So what could I do?

Maybe it was naive but I thought that maybe, in some way I could evolve beyond parasite. Maybe I could reach some stage of... symbiosis with humanity. Yes I needed blood to live, but there were ethical ways to get it.

And in exchange?

I'd shield them from the things that stalk the night.

Oh.

That's right.

"I have a question for you. If you do not mind." She didn't loosen her grip but gave a terse nod.

"You even go near that burger place O'Tolley's? I've been getting a weird feeling about that joint for a while now."

That got a reaction. A narrowing of her eyes, a curl of her lips. The name struck at something.

"Take me there... leech."

My fury stirred again but was muffled by curiosity.

Then she grinned. "I'll show you what that place is. I'll show you what supposed to be in you. After? Who knows. Maybe a 10% chance I won't kill you."

Interesting.

A trap?

Maybe.

But a chance to learn more about this dark world.

"Alright, sure. I'll grab my coat."

And who knew... maybe the night wouldn't end be one that ended in blood and fire.

Spoiler: Ep 2: Big-D20 charisma

He came in one evening. Large yellow coat that clashed oh so much with the booty-shorts. It was a oddity and if one did not know where to look they'd just see an odd man.

His eyes found me in an instant. Sharp, yet mortal. There was power in them that I could not quite understand.

He settled at the corner of pub. Relaxed and unhurried.

Alert and ready but… no signs of aggression. Not like in Los Angeles.

This night may very well end in blood but mayhap such a thing might be avoided. I hoped so.

So I went about my shift. Keeping an eye on him as he did me. He did not appear visibly armed but that didn't mean a thing. After all, didn't Chastity draw her blade from nothingness.

I still didn't know how that worked.

Orders were taken. Drink was poured. Food was enjoyed.

Dealing with the hunger and the thirsty could be difficult. I think there's a little beast in all people that liked to make itself known when need and desire grew large enough.

Not a failing.

The failing only existed in the choice.

I thought back to the other night and the events that I suspected earned a Hunter's focus.

When that large man, with his followers, his knives and his chair harassed that nice young lad with the red-hair. That was a failing.

When he held the girl with the blue hair by her ankles… that was a failing.

Enough that against better judgement I would choose action over safety. I was gentle with the man. He did not fear the police and his response the even the mildest rebuke was threat of force.

"Big man aren't you. Picking a fight with folk minding their own. One of which is injured" His face had grown red and his eyes had promised terrible things.

The red-haired lad shook his head so very quickly.

"Miss! Please I have it under control!"

"Oh, do you Marky?" His large hand moved with practiced swiftness and ripped the crutches away.

He fell and as his friends moved to his side the large man's eyes found mine.

"This ain't your business. Best be careful little birdy. If ya's next word ain't an apology an' some drinks, ya might find yerself in might bit of trouble."

The beast… in and of itself was not a sin.

The sin was in the choice.

Wisdom would dictate humility. To bow the head, pour the drink and let the moment pass.

But…

Would that not be a betrayal? Here was the thing that stabbed at the core of my everything.

The strong, exercising their might towards those he had deemed lesser.

"You need to leave. Now." My words were a challenge. Even a fool would take note.

And he did.

Walking up to me, he stared down as his body tensed.

"An who's gonna make me? You, little bird?"

I did not bare my fangs, as much as the chained thing in my blood cried for it. Words and wits were what was needed.

"If you force this… then yes. Make no mistake. I am in no way fearful of a child that thinks might and cruelty make him a man."

That night had ended in violence.

Dancing and weaving I had evaded him. It would have been harder back when I was human. He was fast, and I could not deny his strength.

Jab, jab, straight, hook, jab.

All I had to was watch the shoulders and I could see where everything would go.

So I danced the night away. A merry show as he tripped and stumbled. As he heaved and bellowed.

A keen eye must have seen it. My breath never faltering, my movements a tad to practiced. Perhaps the man even had some connections of his own.

All I knew is that final pirouette that had him tumbling out into the rain and crashing into a visiting policeman…

Him… I would need to investigate. He did not stumble near enough when the giant crashed into him.

The way he carried himself…

I saw Heather in that man and that held meaning enough to set aside caution.

That night… I made a choice to interfere. It was not one that I could bring myself to regret. The Hunter… was a consequence and one that I would face.

So when my break came, I did not run. Calmly, I grabbed my coat and walked out the front door. A steady pace is what I set. One easy to follow. Nights past had taught that Hunters may not see value enough in the bystander enough to allow for stillness.

The few patrons of that little bar deserved better.

So, I made my way into the wilds. Just the edge. Going deeper might invite… greater dangers.

I found a nice rock, wiped away dirt and moss. Then I took a seat.

And waited.

It wasn't the best of plans. Back then in Los Angeles, I had blade and gun to aid me.

Yet… that battle had nearly been the end of me. I had been warned of the danger. Advised towards practicality and cunning.

But…

There were too many people there that night.

So I approached behind closed curtains and in my ignorance made an offer in good faith.

"I know what you are and you know what I am. The people here haven't earned harm this night. So… I'll let you choose a place for our fight."

Acceptance and a trap were what I had invited. I was ready for such things. To risk a Final Death and spare the uninvolved?

It was far from wisdom.

But it was a choice I could live with.

But not her.

The moment my words struck, so did she. From nowhere, a blade more keen than any I had seen before.

Her attack more wild and ferocious then even the Sabbat.

She died that night, along with too many others.

And the thing that had made that night stab so harshly?

Velvet.

She did not condemn or offer censure. Instead… it was comfort she provided.

That night I learned that even Kindred had tears to shed.

Never again.

If blood need be spilled, let it be mine and his.

Let those untouched by the night enjoy revelry.

It was not long.

The silent wood betrayed the steps as he entered the clearing.

Hands in his pockets, eyes sharp and searching.

Yes…

This one was different then Chasity… greater.

"Interesting choice. To lead me out here but no ambush? That confident, are you?"

He was searching.

Poking at my actions and looking for weakness.

"I just didn't want to test the limits your patience good Hunter. The folk there have nothing to gain by having their night sullied by such unpleasant dealings."

I expected mockery or suspicion. Barbs and bile.

Instead, there was laughter. Joyous, loud and honest.

"My good lady. I promise you that my patience is as VAST AS AN ALL YOU CAN EAT BUFFET!"

Huh?

My mind… just tried to wrap itself around his words.

"Well… that's… kind of random, isn't it?"

That may have been the wrong thing to say.

"RANDOM!? I'll have you no that each step tonight has been carefully calculated to the smallest detail. Nothing to chance!"

Then the spark of madness retreated.

"That was quite the stunt you pulled. I wasn't certain when I heard the tale but seeing you in person… yes. A Vampire…"

I did not rise from my place. I supposed a part of me was trying to put it off.

"And you would be a Hunter. One that I assume heard of my… altercation the other night."

He leaned back against a nearby tree. Sharp eyes never wavering from me.

"Indeed. The news of your encounter reached my GREAT AND MIGHTY HUNTER EARS! I knew I had to uncover the great riddle of the mysterious tavern keeper."

He… had a lot of energy.

Great and mighty?

There was no shame in admitting that I found his delivery of those words… endearing.

"It is an interesting choice of words madam. That you express concern for that establishment of imbibers."

Again… he was searching.

"You think you're the first Hunter I've faced?"

A laugh, greater than before.

"Hardly, BUT I AM THE GREASTEST!" Even as the spark took him again, I considered his words.

"Mayhap you are."

A concession that cost nothing.

"You here to kill me good Hunter?" My words swam around the wood and stillness grew more smothering. The spark fled as something greater took its stead.

"Perhaps… that depends on your answers."

Self-assured. A fragment of arrogance perhaps but it was smothered by confidence.

The man did not carry the same banes as Boch. This was a sharper thing that spoke.

If this was to be a night of blood… then it was one that promised to be hard won.

Something to avoid.

"Ask your questions then."

A nod.

"What is your purpose here? It seems like a such a waste to station a Vampire in a such an establishment. Would not others have been a more sensible thing."

He danced around the words but I saw through them easily enough.

"A mistake." I kept my tone at ease. "You think me an agent of others. Eyes that need be plucked or ears to be deafened. Place those notions aside. Neither Ghoul nor patron are at play here good Hunter. I hold no allegiance but my own."

A tilt of his head and spark in his eyes. I knew not what thoughts he entertained but my works held value to him.

"So you mean to say that you are not a minion of the Regent of Great Yarmouth? You must forgive me but I find that quite difficult to believe. If you spoke the truth then you would have been dealt a most inglorious end by your fellows."

Again I was forced to consider this man. He was being careful with the words but that only betrayed their depth.

For a moment I considered.

Then…

I spoke plain.

"My fellows have tried before. More than once and each time the cost to paid was far too great. An unspoken agreement is in place. I keep to my own. I observe that which is expected and in exchange they stay their hand."

Left unsaid, that I stayed mine.

An uneasy thing but necessary. No matter how mighty I became I could not fight the world.

The pathways to such a thing… so many sought them without thought. To each of them a pitiful end.

There was wisdom in denying such a course. On some level, I'd always felt it. But then I saw where power absolute led.

It led to a cab and an eternity of regret.

"Well quite the rebel aren't we. Pushing back against the man. RESPECTABLE! But that leaves even more curious quandaries. You claim no connection but you also do not move against them. You tend to the vices of others but you heed the laws that your kind put into place. You express concern for the people around you but to survive you must steal what is theirs."

The last stung.

It stung in a way that was difficult to set aside.

Because it was truth.

"I'm aware of the contradiction. I take only what I need. Never from the same person if it can be helped and donated blood when I can."

A shadow of fury crossed his face.

"Yet you still take. Blood that is not yours. Even your attempts at the ethical are woefully insignificant to that fact! Even blood that has been donated is meant for people in need. It was given for that purpose. Not to maintain your unlife."

Harsh.

Very harsh.

It sparked an anger in me that no amount of time could cage fully. It wanted out.

But…

I would not let loose that thing.

"You think I am not aware? Of course I am. Every night I wrestle with it. Every night I have to reconcile the fact that I am not human anymore. That no matter what I do. No matter what evils I slay or what good I do, I will always be a thief. A parasite that pretends at symbiosis."

Then I rose to my feet.

The Hunter readied himself. Reaching behind he drew a sword from nowhere. The same trick as Chasity.

"But… I don't want to die. I want to live and hypocrisies they may be I'll still try. Try to be decent. Try to give to make up for what I take. That's all I can do with this un-life good Hunter. Because… I still want to live."

My words were more tired than I had meant for them to be. If it was to come to violence then I would not start it. If there was to be blood, let him be the one to shed it.

At the very least so that my conscious would be clear.

Then…

"You said you were worried that my patience would falter. I take it… that once you faced a Hunter who did not exercise restraint?"

A breath, even though I did not need to made its way into the air.

"Yes. She refused reason and people uninvolved paid the price. It is why I came out here. So that none might harm the innocent and call it righteous.

A long moment.

He considered.

I waited.

Then…

"You… are drifting. Trying to do some good to make up for the bad. That is something. BUT IT IS NOT ENOUGH!"

Even with his shout, he did not move from his place.

"I'm well aware. But it is this or death."

"BALDERDASH! YOU THINK IN UNNECESSARY BINARIES THAT BETRAY YOUR LIMITED VISION! In this limbo you can never do enough to ease the torment your humanity inflicts. In death… you will simply be nothing."

Then something dangerous and gold flickered in his eyes.

"Along the road you have chosen… is stagnation. An existence that would eat away at you. Bit by bit the intrigues that Vampires invite will find you. They will hammer you down until twisted conformity or Final Death."

He took a step forward and looked me straight in the eye.

"But… it need not be that way. A world where your existence does not bring harm does not exist. So… why not help me make one!"

It was in that moment I truly grasped it.

This Hunter…

The was something in him.

A Mighty thing.

I considered what choice I would make.

Before, I had served. In doing so, I had invited the knife in my back.

"You understand… that if you betray me or try to use me to cause harm that need not be that your life will be forfeit?"

At my words… a grin.

"You have my word that I will not abuse what such an alliance means. If death must be dealt and be it by my word you would deal it.. THEN I BIG-D SHALL BARE FULL RESPONSIBILITY!"

So… at that.

I made my choice and prayed to whatever god might exist that it was the right one.

Anywho, they be filled with my current interpretation of things, some vague memory of fan theory and just general wish fulfilment.

Hope you all have fun with em.

Edit: I did the second one in one sitting... this was a mistake. Do not do this.