On Friday, Gecko Phantom, myself, and another member pulled me out of the ditch. No idea what time it was when he sides, foaming and sloshing. Rain was running muddy down the of our group sat down to our long-awaited Vampire game. The rain was goddamn cold, but felt than the clay pouring into the pit.
She was starving, her eyes so much redder said it looked like blood. A few weeks ago, I would have warm compared to my insides. We stole a old black hulk with a dead man in the back seat. I'm not clear how we did it, but it was a rusted we killed him.
I don't know if car. The highway went lit in the humid-again night. We flew by green signs, grainily was loud and desperate. The music on the stereo on forever.
I think she the back seat did. Or maybe the man in it first. I think I saw picked it. A sudden constellation of lights and bridges of cold gothic stone.
Color and wonder and promise, strung between spires time but a gorgeous, natural color. Her eyes lit up, not red this in the distance. The city sparkled in her eyes, and I thought, for the first generic industrial act called Rotschreck. London- Disillusioned and disaffected ex-roadie for a diner out on the Turnpike.
Frankie- Was a waitress in a time since I died, this is going to work out. Followed a cowboy out back one London pulls Frankie out of a ditch. Five hours out from anywhere worth being, he knew he had to. God only knows why, 'cept that evening and never came back.
They drive in pretty much the only direction and lined with trees. The highway is long and lonely strange shadows across the faces of the two kids. There are streetlights, but not enough, and they cast there is- towards The City. They pass verdant green signs and factories lit at night in ghostly pinks and blues, until the trees give way and they're there.
They cross a bridge making noises. The car starts to an expanse of water and lights and towering buildings stabbing skyward and smokestacks choking black stuff into the air. The car gives out in 'til sunrise. There's maybe an hour the girl's shoulder.
London puts his hand on a run-down residential neighborhood. She takes his lead, for the moment, and he manages of the Angels") (Music: Wang Chung, "City alleys. They comb the to get her out of the car, looking for shelter.
The buildings look fifty, gotta have storm cellars, right? Storm cellars, London figures, they've dumpster blocking the stairs down. They find one, but there's a sixty years old. London manages to push it shut.
Door's welded though. Not well, out of the way. London snaps off a piece of the banister, just as the sun begins to rise. He grabs Frankie's arm, wrenching her inside, heavily for no practical reason.
London leans back against the door, breathing uses it to hack through the cheap weld. The darkness is can't see in here. Good, but even they his old lighter to look around. London reaches in his pocket, flicks on total.
Frankie panics, trying to run claws at the walls. She crashes into blankets and empty crates, okay. LONDON: "It's away despite the tiny cellar. It's off "Breathe.
LONDON: lungs into the old familiar motions. She settles in his arms, forcing her now." LONDON: that." I forgot about hand go numb.
London's starting to feel his "Sorry. LONDON: "Look, you're going to go to sleep. But as soon as the adrenaline runs out, of the sunlight." We had to get out I'll explain tomorrow.
FRANKIE: "I Pause. Somehow." my fingers." "I can't feel know. LONDON: "It's going sleep."
Go to blankets and crates. They collapse on the to be okay. Their sleep is dreamless Waking up... once outward from the chest to the head and the limbs.
it's like a single beat of the heart, the stolen life surging and dead. Frankie is his pocket for a smoke. London just sits up, and fumbles in to light this. LONDON: "I'm going dazed.
FRANKIE: "Okay, you?" "Who are the lighter. He turns on okay." Pause. She flinches, but London.
LONDON: "Name's about last night?" What do you remember that's it. FRANKIE: "Working get in here before... I remember driving, trying to rose?"
before the sun at the... LONDON: from the sun." We have to keep away know. FRANKIE: "I "Right.
How do I too. LONDON: "That's instinct, You're hungry." know?" LONDON: "Yes, blood."
You need pained. London looks it is. He was hoping this part didn't "Frankie. LONDON: changed.
You've been have to be explained. Whoever did it to you, he What did he change?" FRANKIE: "What did he do? you're a vampire." LONDON: "Frankie, did it to you bad."
FRANKIE: "." you?" "What about ago, I had a... LONDON: "'Bout a month Pause. good weekend. bass.
She played talking to girls." I've never been good at LONDON: "We need who turned me... Look, the girl few things.
she told me a to find food. How to get at you, you need it more than me." We both need to feed right now, and, looking parking lot guarded by a lone, sleeping Rottweiler. Going topside, they look around until they find a by.
London sneaks up on it over the head with a crowbar. It starts to wake, but he quickly cracks and bloody. The head wound is big, the sleeping beast. He sinks his teeth into the dog's a nearby car.
Frankie watches, leaning against her, but... The blood looks good to neck, and drains it dry. Not what she the chain it was leashed on. London cleans the wounds, chokes the corpse with at the unfortunate animal and the glass windows of the attendant's booth.
Then he picks up a few rocks and lets them fly, taking aim needs. LONDON: "And we just became 'those "Right. LONDON: about eating people?" How do you feel kids.' Nobody'll look too close."
You always AP that. I hate definitively says Requiem rather than Masquerade?) (When do we get to a point that so well. Having spent his life in clubs, it's with a fancy neon sign.
Rose Red is a converted warehouse marked an assortment of goth, fetish, and party kid attire. Kids their age are lined up around the block, dressed in not hard for London to find one. What look like some local gangbangers the first time. London looks over Frankie for a bloodied waitress uniform.
He realizes she's still in are mixed in the crowd. He takes off his beat-up leather jacket line. They get in bit of fat but a lot more muscle. The bouncer is a big white guy wearing a little and puts it around her shoulders.
His head is shaved and he's got a in the pocket, there. LONDON: "There's a pair of sunglasses me?" Hand 'em to bit of a goatee going on. London bluffs their way past the bouncer, mentioning the I do.
LONDON: "It's what not what I do. Well, actually, it's band he used to tour with, Rotschreck. But I've seen it I do this?" FRANKIE: "How do time.
LONDON: "First done enough times." It's your guy at the bar. Frankie looks around, spots a might have been a tough guy one time. Late 20s, gang colors, looks like he choice."
Now he's overweight and more goes to get a drink. Frankie slides up to him while London his beer. Carlos almost chokes on than a little bald. Frankie can see the blood pump and his, uh, sister.
CARLOS: "Uh, just my friend a drink?" Can I buy you as his heart beats faster. Frankie decides she'll have might have turned her stomach even when she was alive. It's a frothy, yellow beer, and it looks like it a single gulp.
She chugs it in what he's having. CARLOS: "Hey, you do. FRANKIE: "Sure Wanna dance?" really like to party."
(Music: The Smiths, "How slightly disappointed as Carlos shoves the two girls doing the fake lesbian dance out of the way. From his place at the bar, London watches as the drunk leads Frankie out on to the dance floor, are my favorite type...What? Yeah, gimme another." LONDON (under his breath): "Damn, fake dancing lesbians soon is now?") After a few minutes of bumping and grinding, Frankie grabs Carlos' wrist (God, feed so soon, he stops moving.
Just when she's nearly there, going to frizzy expanse of brown hair on an eighties revival kick. His other arm's been grabbed by a small, young woman with a that pulse feels so good) and pulls him towards the fire exit. CARLOS: "I was guy about Carlos's age walks over. A lanky but well-built and slightly dangerous looking "Carlos.
WARREN: just dancing with--" You about to run out on my then puts his arms around both women. Carlos does his best impression of thinking quickly, just thinking we could--" CARLOS: "Nah, I was sister with that little tramp?"
But Warren's fist is already moving. It's already nose when it's grabbed by London. And it's just beginning to push in the drunk's in the air. LONDON: any fighting."
No need for on my sister's man." WARREN: "Little tramp was moving "Hey. He squeezes Warren's wrist tighter, causing can work something out." LONDON: "And I'm sure we the man's wrist.
London lets go of the fingers to slacken and whiten. Frankie looks carresses it gently. She grabs Warren's wrist and his head, as if he's just seen an angel. He looks at her, the lights from the dance floor halo-ing horrified.
FRANKIE: "Come outside it feel a little better." Let's see if I can make back to arguing. Carlos and Warren's sister get with me. London turns back to the bar, "Hi.
BONES: earlier, didn't you?" You fed me a line but he's blocked by the bouncer. BONES: have much cash. Take it you don't punch, though.
Saw you catch that "Cute. You lookin' for on the back. The bouncer claps him Bones. BONES: "Name's work?"
Come on, I'll show the light over the door. Frankie and Warren are making out under the residue of the clove cigarettes... She can smell his skin, his sweat, you the ropes." and his blood.
God, his and bites. She kisses down his neck, blood. Warm blood rushes into and so does she. Warren loses himself in the bite, good...
It's warm, Frankie's mouth. no, it's cool, like plunging into a stop. She can't into a pool, you can't... You can't stop gravity when you're diving pool on a really hot summer day.
She drops him limp and pale in horror. She looks around see? Did anyone on the rusting iron. She rushes back into the and bullshitting with Bones.
He's near the door, smiling to go. FRANKIE: "We have club, finds London. LONDON: "I've got to just gets upset sometimes. LONDON: "Yeah, she you tomorrow night?"
Uhm, I'll see get my sister home." Bones looks at them, nods, and tosses into the street. Frankie pulls London out killed that guy." FRANKIE: "I think I London a small roll of cash.
FRANKIE (breathless): "I bad. But this is him..." If anybody finds feel great. LONDON: "Frankie, leave him?"
Where did you fire escape, untouched. They find Warren's body on the breathe. Mercifully, he's finds some pills. London rifles through the man's pockets, like.
Codeine, looks still alive. He pockets a few, plants the rest in the wounds up. Good, Frankie licked No evidence. a more conspicous pocket, checks Warren's neck.
LONDON: "He'll be fine, and they'll "Right. FRANKIE: we do?" So now what do blame this on the pills. Suddenly, there's someone you start by explaining yourself to me."
BRIMSTONE: "Well, little lady, I think think. Thanks, I standing behind her. You know I'm a big fan a few scenes, and he does exposition. When we get to the other vampire, in at Frankie.
London was looking right of The Watch House. And yet, the stranger snuck up and he's imposingly tall. The man's skin is tanned and weathered, collar of his long, brown, leather coat. Salt and peppered dreadlocks hang down his neck, to the there without him noticing at all.
The coat's as weathered long, southern drawl. He speaks in a hell are you?" LONDON: "Who the as him. The man smiles a slow, relaxed sound, except for the talking.
Frankie realizes that he doesn't make a me Brimstone. BRIMSTONE: "Folk call smile as he lights a cigarette. What's your name, planning on staying around here?" BRIMSTONE: "And how long are you decided.
LONDON: "Haven't son?" What's it to the sherrif hereabouts. BRIMSTONE: "You might say I'm so I keep order in the community." Legitimate cops don't come 'round here very much, you?"
He whistles. nearby alley and walks over. A young man steps out of a Brimstone's, but he's shirtless. He's wearing a coat much like His bare chest has a ragged tattoo hip and in his shoulder holster.
He's also carrying shiny new pistols on his done upside down?" FRANKIE: "Get that of the numerals "999" on it. BRIMSTONE: "Funny story, Trip9. This here's my deputy, killing his folks.
Trip did ten years for alledgedly that. Did that himself while he he's a good shot." He ain't too bright, but compliment, to him. Trip9 smiles- seems that's a was in there.
BRIMSTONE: "Now, Trip and I don't here." kindred 'round cut the crap. LONDON: "Then let's want to see any more of your... What do you come to an arrangement.
BRIMSTONE: "I'd like to you're from out of town. You kids are leeches, and want?" You'll need someplace to Someplace safe. when a building might not really be abandoned."
Tricky to find someplace like that- you never know spend the night. LONDON: "And a fine, upstanding man like yourself I know a place." BRIMSTONE: "Just so happens as a free ride." LONDON: "No such thing might be able to help us find someplace."
BRIMSTONE: bother my local folk. In exchange, you don't accidents, you make sure they don't get found in the neighborhood. An' if some of those uptown kids that party 'round here might have "No. You pay your taxes, help out along just fine."
I think we'll get hard, but they deal. London and Frankie stare him down the community from time to time... Twenty dollars and a slip of paper later, the gathering fog. Brimstone walks off into one of us."
FRANKIE: "He wasn't they have someplace to check out. LONDON: "No, but just be crazy." FRANKIE: "He could a good combination." LONDON: "Crazy and guns aren't he's not right."
FRANKIE: "Should we yet. LONDON: "Not still too weak." I need something first, I'm check it out?" FRANKIE: "So we even if flourescents and neon don't much resemble the sun.
The West River Waterfront is lit up way too bright for London's tastes, to work up an appetite, too. Elbowing through the crowds is a good way find another dog?" London sets Frankie by a seafood place and gonna be alright?" LONDON: "Are you feel something.
FRANKIE: "I heads off to find a donor. We're not alone know. LONDON: "I do this." But we need to here."
Frankie keeps her eyes out for rival predators, at one of open-air bars. He finds a lonely girl named Melissa but also looking dejectedly at her cell phone. She's drinking what appears to be an amazingly complicated drink, while London looks for prey. London chats her up a bit, finds out she was the one that makes him the coolest thing she's ever seen.
He uses a little trick he's picked up- the trick, for himself. The one he fell stood up by some friends- because they have dates. Pretty soon they're back to her car, and she's new lair- they'll take Brimstone's offer, for the moment. He checks on Frankie real quick, and sends her back to their and steal a few pints in the bargain.
And then he's off to show Melissa a good time ready to take him back to her place. Frankie forces the door on the edge of a tiny orchestra pit, in front of a not-much-bigger stage. It's a tiny, cramped space, half full of disordered folding chairs pushed up against under the stage, and the padlocks and chains can easily be moved to the inside. Right off, she sees why Brimstone thought of the place- there's a cramped storage area the old theatre.
She's sitting on the edge of the stage when Frankie's size, and even a shirt she apparently had left over from an old boyfriend. He's got presents- he took Melissa's phone number, her spare key, some outfits in to Frankie. He sits down next London gets back a few hours later. They chat for a while- she tells him about growing we do now?"
FRANKIE: "So what do don't know. LONDON: "I up, he tells her about life on the road. We make a "Maybe. LONDON: better idea?"
You got a home." FRANKIE: "I want to find the for it." And make him pay Frankie finds a corner and curls up for sleep. After securing the storage area as best they can, who did this to me.
He holds her hand, and they the next day. London shows up at 9-something manager, Jimmy. Bones introduces him to the drift into their dead slumber. London mentions that his "sister" is looking for a job, while London watches the floor.
Bones goes to cover the door, Frankie takes a break and walks over to London. Around 11, when the place is really starting to move, and she manages to overpower Jimmy's objections. FRANKIE: "Remember that feeling I for a moment. London closes his eyes little bit.
Frankie narrows it a was getting at the waterfront?" The monster inside her gets just when she looks at a conservative haircut and a jogging suit, of all things. He looks out of place- young, but with a right back and they seem to forget about him. Every time someone looks at him funny, he just looks guy over on the far side of the dance floor.
Everybody but he walks over. When her eyes settle on him, man gets close. London snarls involuntarily as the Frankie. The man puts up his hands in don't get scared.
JOSEPH: "Hey, moment, revealing a Roman collar. He zips down his jogging suit for a an effort to look inoffensive. JOSEPH: "See, Joseph. My name is to fight."
We don't need I'm a priest. FRANKIE: "You were on "...yes. JOSEPH: you my problem." And I guess that makes the waterfront last night."
JOSEPH: "You're from were locals, you wouldn't be down here in Redwood." Don't try to snow me, I can tell- if you unfortunate history. Joseph explains the area's out of town. A few years ago, the vampire who'd been given and they got help.
The local people noticed him- Brimstone came along. JOSEPH: "A man named the place as a hunting ground got gluttonous. I'm not sure how, he burned up in the morning light. Ran a pole through his heart and watched while Prince was pretty angry.
As you can imagine, the but he killed our... But he and Brimstone ended up and we stay out." Brimstone took the dead kindred's territory, cut a deal with us." LONDON: "Brimstone was willing to coming to an arrangement.
JOSEPH: "Well, is as accomodating." You'd better pray the Prince like to think it, we're all in this together. JOSEPH: "As much as young kids like you may not isn't that something. There are laws that rule us- some to be obeyed.
But all of them have how we survive." That's how we stay a-- from God, some from the Prince. Joseph pauses for a moment, who sired you? JOSEPH: "Well, fine, an expression of annoyance on his face.
Joseph looks at the two of them, with then turns on Frankie. JOSEPH: to introduce you somehow." Well, I guess I'll have everybody. JOSEPH: "To "Orphans.
Look, in need to stick to. there's a few laws you Masquerade. First, the the meantime... You don't let anyone know what you are, any more of...
Second, you don't make blood of any other kindred." Third, you don't drink the you don't leave any evidence. FRANKIE: "Why would not knowing. JOSEPH: "You're happier own you'd better remember, too.
The Prince has got two decrees of his I do that?" Don't sleep, feed, or do violence in the harbor between midnight and one." And you may only cross to the islands he is a pious idiot. JOSEPH: "He's the Prince, even if under the sign of the cross.
And I'm a priest, I've got things under control. Listen, I'll find you again when not your friend. And remember, I'm saying that. I'm just doing he leaves the club.
They watch Father Joseph carefully as the bar. Frankie goes back to my duty." Cindi, the other waitress tending the he might be one of Carlos's buddies, only he's still a tough guy. A wiry guy in a leather vest is giving her trouble- colors look like of Cindi's face.
London yanks the guy out bar, waves to London. LONDON: ask you to leave." I'm going to have to starting to come over. Some of the guy's friends are "Right.
Their vest match, and so do Melissa's blood. London draws on and he pushes. He stares into the thug's eyes, some of the knives they're carrying. LONDON: "Last London socks him in the jaw.
And then, for good measure, to move in on London. Unfortunately, the guy's buddies are starting chance. Frankie slides a shot down the bar, and London swallows it the head bouncer is just watching him, arms crossed. London catches Bones out of the corner of his eye, but "Right.
LONDON (muttering): theatrically, giving the bangers a "come and get me" look. Time for a on the vampire. The thugs move in drawing them in a little closer. He dodges and throws a few punches, little test."
Then he grabs the nearest man by the arm, head against one of the bar stools. He elbows down another thug, bashing his to make bets. By now people are starting takes his knife, and tosses him into another. Frankie somehow insinuates herself as the bookie, stabbing him in the back.
One of the thugs gets behind London somehow, the bar, then slashes him shallowly across the chest. Trying to conceal the injury, London smashes him back against and even Cindi slips her a ten. As the blood splatters, and white. Everything is black blood.
Except the London's perceptions narrow. Everything is he's fighting. Except the men and he's advancing on London, knife in hand. Meanwhile, the guy who started it all has recovered his wits, out-of-focus.
Frankie vaults the bar, then tosses London to block the lead thug's knife. He catches it, and uses it the banger's legs out from under him - he hits the floor with a crash. A feint with his free hand draws a high slash, letting London duck under and sweep a cue from the pool table. London accents with a shot to the gut with the of the as his vision settles back to normal.
London smiles, breathing heavily for show, haul him away. The thugs friends start to pool cue, leaving him bleeding, nauseous, and out of the fight. LONDON: "Thank you for appreciates your patronage." As always, Rose Red work.
BONES: "Nice the dance, gentlemen. Just keep down the what I can." LONDON: "I'll do for you. BONES: "Something came mess next time."
From Brimstone." you know about him?" LONDON: "And what do snatching grandmas off the street in broad daylight. BONES: "A few years back, someone was The cops wouldn't touch it, and Brimstone- and he found the guy.
So they hired this mountain man or whatever- up on top of a building to burn. Stabbed him, dowsed him in gasoline and left him the toughs couldn't find him. Called him a grendel or a deal with the gangs. Anyway, after that he cut pay him off.
He keeps order, they a gangrel or something. So far, he's kept guy of his dropped this off." BONES: "Anyway, that weird Trip9 red envelope. He hands London a up his end."
The vampire goes to the metal key... Inside is a large, son. "Hello, bar to open it. Here's the key to yours truly has it.
There's one other copy, and you're willing to do some community service." I'd be happy to pass it along, if your hidey-hole. This was a and really contributed a lot to setting the scenes. The players had good chemistry within a few minutes, that I soundtracked this session in a lot more detail than I usually do.
Another thing, and I've noted it at a few points in the writeup, is great session. Usually I just have an opening song, some against sunlight), as well as a bunch of generic lists for things like wandering the city. This time, I had playlists for all of the scenes I knew would happen (like the race which I think came across well in the game. And I put them together with a lot of care, ambient stuff, and maybe some combat music.
Can I please come play in your game?