2021-11-01

INVOLVED PARTIES

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INCIDENT REPORT

Speaker for the Dead...

• Josi is wrapping thing up at the Wicked Monk, and welcomes the assistance of Justine. Justine seems pleased to have a potential ally, while Josi is intrigue by the mysterious letter that brought her and Lina here in the first place. Of the few stragglers left from the funeral, Juniper is perhaps the most shaken. She regrets how things ended between her and Leah. They were in love, Juniper having only embraced Leah after she appeared at so many shows. They were happy even... for a while. Eventually though, Leah and Nicoletta left to start their own band. Juniper isn't angry now. In fact, that's why she delivered that Betamax tape from Tom. It was an excuse to rekindle things with Leah. It's just a shame it was too little, too late...

• Josi suggests that "Sam" take home the leftovers from the buffet. There weren't many mortals in attendance, so very little was ate. He seems appreciative, and thanks her again for putting on the service. He insists that she continue to call him "Archer" however. The codename was originally to help protect the ones he and Leah loved — their family.

• Josi introduce Justine to her fiancé, Alter. It's mentioned that he served in France during WWII, but isn't keen to discuss it. For her part, Justine has has very few happy memories from the time. Alter is currently more concerned with Emily and the "date" she came (and left) with. He's furious with whatever game it is Nathanial is playing, but Josi convinces him to let her handle it... for now.

• Josi introduces Justine to Rasmodius, though they met earlier at the bar. Justine encourages him to stick with his studies at the chantry, even if they are boring now. He seems incredibly shy in her presence, and barely mutter his response. Josi offers to drop Rasmodius off on her way home with Alter. Justine excuses herself, and takes a container of leftovers outside to Jacques and Didier. She dumps it out on the ground and watches for a moment as they lap it up through their unzipped masks.

The Big, Bad Wolf...

• Aradia scurries into the treetops, hoping to avoid the lupine's awareness. She sends Eddie up above the canopy, hoping that he can get a bird's-eye view of where Jezebel's Jeep is parked. While he surveys from above, Aradia moves through the outstretched branches, making her way to where Delilah is laying. She remains behind the trunk of the tree, out of sight, as she pulls Delilah around to her. She's not responding, and Aradia is horrified when she sees that Delilah has been cleaved nearly in half. Eddie spots the Jeep. It's about two miles out.

• Lina peers into the clearing from the tree line, watching as the enormous bipedal creature snarls and slashes at Jezebel and Vixen, both shapeshifted into the form of wolves. The two Jawbreakers seem to be choreographing a deadly dance, weaving back and forth to keep the bestial lupine from ever being able to focus on one of them. Lina, still unnoticed, makes a mental note of the intricate designs that are visible on the lupine. What appear to be simple fur patterns at first glance, are actually some sort of tattoo or scarification on the flesh. They seem largely abstract in design, but a particular piece on the left peck stands out.

• Lina extends her fingernails into long, sharp claws and uses them to effortlessly climb a nearby tree. She makes her way through the canopy until spotting Aradia, and descends above her. Aradia is ripping her clothing apart, using the fabric to bandage Delilah's lifeless body — not to dress her wounds necessarily, but to hold her frame together. Aradia bites into her own wrist and squeezes the thick vitae into Delilah's mouth. She hopes that Delilah's body may be able to mend itself with enough time — and potent enough blood.

• The sun will be cresting the horizon in just a couple of hours. Fearing that they may not be able to escape the woods, Aradia and Lina instead decide to bury themselves. Lina is struggling against her Beast, barely able to speak in more than a grunt, but begins to claw at the ground, pushing the rich topsoil out of the way so as to fit Delilah's frame.

• Jezebel takes a hit from the lupine, its claws slashing down upon her own wolf-life snout. She's sent flying backward, shifting out of wolf form as she tumbled along the ground. She shakes herself off, only to see Aradia and Lina out of the corner of her eye. She's furious, and reiterates the need to retreat. Aradia refuses, and Jezebel instead orders her to help Vixen keep the lupine off balance while she gets the Jeep. Without awaiting a response, Jezebel shifts back into wolf form and disappears into the forest.

• Aradia can feel her stomach turn as her vampiric body begins to reject the non-blood she consumed earlier in the night. She decides to use this to her advantage, and bites her tongue to produce a mouthful of acidic blood. She steps out from behind the trees and projectile vomits the crumpled, half-chewed remnants of Justine's mysterious invitation. It splatters against the lupine's left shoulder, sizzling as fur burn beneath a layer of acidic vitae. The creature quickly turns, lashing out at Aradia. She tries to dodge, but is still struck by the tip of its claws. They drag through flesh, though luckily not as deeply as they had with Delilah.

• vixen snaps at the creature, drawing its attention back on her. Behind the wide tree trunk, Lina has Delilah's body buried and covered in loose leaves. She begins to dig another hole, her claws scooping out fistfuls of dirt. Eddie swoops past Aradia, indicating that something is coming through the forest. Something with headlights.

• Jezebel's bright yellow jeep explodes out of the tree line, slamming into the legs of the lupine. Its stance buckles from the impact, as its mass rolls across the clearing. Jezebel screams for everyone to hurry up as she swings the wheel around. She dumps the clutch Vixen, Aradia, and Lina pile in.

• The Jeep has little problem dipping into runoff ditches and climbing over felled logs. However, it can't quite get up to speed under the conditions, and lupine is giving chase. No truer have been the words "objects in mirror are closer than they appear." Under the afghan blanket behind the rear bench seat is a narrow gasoline canister. Aradia stuff it with more torn clothing, and sets it afire, throwing it out into the wake of the Jeep. Lina takes careful aim at the makeshift Molotov, firing right as the lupine passes. It explodes, coating the surrounding trees in napalm. The creature howls in pain as it stumbled forward, falling over its own weight.

• Shortly thereafter, the Jeep slides into a gravel trail and picks up speed. It's only a few more miles before the knobby tires bite into pavement, leaving the forest behind. Now a race to beat the sunrise, Jezebel offers sanctuary in her domain — the Bronx Zoo.

The Next Night...

• Justine awakes in her bedroom above Club Medea. She has Jacques (or Didier?) present their wrist as she feeds. She then pulls Josi' business card out, and gives her a ring at the Center for Thanatology, inviting herself over. Once she arrives, she gets the lowdown from Josi on the current "situation" in NYC, especially in regards to the recent fall of the Tremere chantries.

• Aradia, Lina, Jezebel, and Vixen all awaken in a veterinarian section of the Bronx Zoo. Jezebel has a noticeable scar across her face, and Aradia can still feel the sting of claws across her abdomen. Jezebel jokes about draining a joey dry, but then offers up a number of rats.

• Everyone is now at the Center for Thanatology. Aradia and Lina recount their encounter with the lupine, as Josi examines Jezebel. Needless to say, everyone is horrified at the implication of lupines outside the city. Jezebel and Vixen part ways with the coterie, intent on going back out into the forest to retrieve whatever is left of Delilah. Josi recommends that they bring her back to the center so that she can help with any injuries.

• Together, Aradia and Lina manage to recreate the symbol witnessed upon the lupine's chest. It may not be entirely accurate, but Justine is pretty sure that it is Norse in origin — perhaps even derivative of runic iconography. Josi steps away for a moment to ask Pius if he knows anything about lupines. He knows very little in the way of specifics, but did encounter a group of jackal-like "moon-beasts" during his time in Egypt.

• Justine puts in a call to Club Medea, briefly chatting with the owner, Damaris. She assures Justine that the stage is still hers Saturday. She also agrees to pass a message along to Jacques and Didier, commanding them to be at 20 Exchange Place ASAP.

• The coterie themselves head to 20 Exchange Place, to meet with Prince Cortés. They exchange a knowing glance with Delores before being ushered into the Prince's high-rise office, ornately decorated with bespoke self-portraits from throughout the ages.

• Josi takes the lead, presenting both Justin and Catalina. The Prince is pleased enough to see the Fifth tradition upheld, though would have preferred it to be a greater priority. She skips over the typical rote spiel however, as the local Camarilla is currently undergoing a change. She nonetheless raises a glass of vitae-infused wine with the coterie, saluting herself for being such a beacon of stability.

• Prince Cortés then has Delores escort in the new Sheriff... Johnny Five! She gives a halfhearted rundown of his qualifications, having previously acted as clan whip for Primogen Crowley. She then stresses that she expects the coterie's full cooperation with the investigation into the death of the previous Sheriff, Leah McKenzie....

THE CONCLAVE

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