The Prince in the Darkness- Gauge, Ringo, & Imelda

[Claymore]

As you three deliberated on the terms of service and rule, with Tau quietly watching for the most part, and the police on their way, the conversation was brought to a halt when the room abruptly got darker.

The power didn't go out, but the room was swept up in shadow as quickly as a cold breeze. The lights became little more than candles, as their glow was swallowed up by some unseen force. After a moment, you began to make out shapes on the walls. Silhouettes of half a dozen figures carrying swords loomed over you. One grew out of the floor, but still remained a shadowy incorporeal figure.

"Her Majesty Ciara White has invited Mr. Vincent Washington and associates for formal introduction at Aerten Estate. Immediately."

Imelda, you recognized it immediately. This was one of Ciara's guards, and an Asp of the old guard whose blood was richer than anyone else in the room. It was impossible to tell if the figures on the wall were reinforcements or mere shadow-play, but he alone was clear evidence that she wasn't taking the situation lightly.


OC: Any response other than following him should be followed by an initiative roll.

[Ninja]

OOC: *Sigh* Here I go again...I'll post after work.

[Ac1ds0ld13r]

Ringo didn't wait. Ringo didn't pause. Ringo didn't think. Ringo reacted. In part because he was already on edge with the whole situation with Imelda, but also because it was his goddamn job. And Johnny Ringo did his goddamn job. The big handgun he had came out of from under his shoulder and was leveled at the man in front of them faster than an eye blink. "Now, I don't be meanin' for no violence to be done, but Padre, I'm guessin' yer the important one'a da lot. So how's about ya cut the crap with the lights and call yer amigos off before I use ol' Rosebud here an' show ya how heads don't grow back durin' the day?" He cocked his head. To the casual observer it looked like he was waiting on a response. To a shooter however, it was clear Ringo was aiming. The sharpshooter had no intentions of missing. Ringo knew, and Baldie would know, it would take a second for the Shadow Sword Posse to come off the walls, and if things played out even a little bit wrong for Baldie... Well, heads didn't grow back during the day.

Spoiler:

How's Init. work in nWoD?

[Claymore]

Sum up your Wits, Dexterity and Fast reflexes if you have it, and add it to a d10. Note a minor change though, if it makes any difference. He can still remain in shadow form and speak.

Yeah... you could argue that I power-gamed their enterance by not rolling for shadow form, but it's purely for theatrics and to ensure he can deliver his purpose, as I was just told he should have been shot in the face before speaking. If anyone has really a serious problem with this, I'll change it. But stats-wise I haven't cheated anyone, except deny you the ability to put holes in the wall as they entered. It doesn't even mess up your place in the initiative roster because you have the option to just hold your action until one of them becomes corporal. In fact, it give you the ability to ready a weapon. And you all do have a slight edge here that you'll see IC.

That said, any objections before moving on?

[purplegeekness]

Imelda nodded, inclining her head to speak with the Prince before standing.

"We can postpone our discussion until time permits, Prince Guage. You intended to meet with Ciara and now you have been invited to. After this we can discuss how your needs might be best met with my services."

Imelda stood up, keeping her hands clear of the pistol she wore. She could read the room well and could see things were at a knife edge.

[Ninja]

I let out an obviously irritated, audible sigh when the crazy shadow things flirted with the wall. Swords. Meh. It was routine how easily I spun the shotgun in my hands around to the ready. It was simple muscle memory as I changed between all of the targets, going from Imelda to Ringo to Tau and then the asshole coming out of the floor dressed in a stupid looking Harry Potter robe and uncool glasses from the Matrix. Lame.

I didn't have to try to cycle blood into my super-speed. It was a natural act. I didn't have to enhance my speed to be fast, but when I did, I was so fast that fast had to give more speed to the word fast before it could define me. With a rather dignified yet uniquely obvious unpleasant look on my face I shined the red dot from the shotgun right into each of the UNCC Sci-Fi Guild reject's sunglasses eye sockets. "Now listen mate, I don't care who you are and what kind of message you have. You've got no authority here and quite frankly, you're about to have a very bad night. Yes, you can assume that whatever miniature army you brought along with you and your tiny cowardly balls is enough to take this domain away from me and subsequently the Carthians, or you can have an iota of fucking intelligence lad and assume that I know what I am doing. Your friends are shadows on the wall, not in striking range. My friend right here in my hands, Benelli and his bitches Dragons and breath are more then willing to turn you into a smoldering piece of ash."

I wasn't about to take the red dot off of my target and by now Tau should be having thoughts about grabbing that sword mounted on the wall. "I'm going to tell you the same fucking thing I told that walking, talking, advertisement for child pornography she sent as a Herald. If miss prissy prince is in such a hurry to see me, she can drag her sexy ass off of her island and come see me herself instead of sending yet another comic book store geek in a costume and mirror shades right from a bad 70s police flick. Were I not wasting my time with fuckheads like you, I'd already have left and gone to see her myself."

I paused, still keeping the shotgun level. With my off hand, I reached across my body and pulled the blunt from the ashtray and put it between my lips. Then I regripped the shotgun correctly, puffing until the cherry lit up again. "Now piss off with the fucking shadow bullshit, and come at me with some goddamned respect, like a proper messenger in appropriate attire or I'll dust you as a walking Masquerade breach for looking like something I'm supposed to make fun of instead of take seriously. You understand?"

[Claymore]

A sword would have been completely useless against a shadow. Instead, Tau sent your rolling chair backwards slightly, just enough to position himself between you and the figure in the center of the room. While simultaneously, kicking a foot-peddle under the desk you hadn't noticed before. Extra lighting concealed within the cieling and walls cut on, nothing short of highbeams that had everyone momentarily stunned.

After an instant of blinking off the sudden light, you found yourself surrounded not by a dozen threatening shadows, but by six very corporal Asps, revealing the other shadows to be a mere illusion. Two of them glanced at each other, surprised to find themselves now vulnerable.

He turned for his sword then, making sure to not block your gun, when the captain raised a hand to pause his allies. Tau, however, did not pause until he had his sword on hand. "Apologies Sir. Lord Kilaptrick had anticipated this sort of assassination attempt."

The captain motioned once more, this time waving the others out of the room. Once they were gone, he spoke again. "The Herald recommended they be here for insurance. But I have orders not to harm anyone." He reached into his inside pocket and produced a letter and laid it on your desk. "Instructions on how to reach the island are enclosed. I'll inform her you're on your way."

[Ninja]

Are you serious? Are you fucking serious? A goddamn lightbulb? A big bright lightbulb fucks this guy up? No cool shotgun with an awesome SWAT pose...no badass cowboy with an ivory hilt .45 named Rosebud (a sick name ftw)...no threat of burning flame-thrower like shotgun slugs from the guy who gave the previous regent the boot. Just a fucking lightswitch? Jesus Christ! The kindred in this city need a role model.

I must have looked like somebody who just gulped down blueberry pancakes to find out the chef replaced the blue berries with bird shit. Didn't I feel like the asshole. I guess sometimes the things just don't work. While Tau and this idiot in a D&D robe went back and forth, I shouldered the shotgun and drew the SWAT issue .45, complete with flashlight.

I shined it right in that fucker's face.

Sometimes it was the little things...

[purplegeekness]

Imelda took the sudden brightness in her stride. She'd known of the defence, but not the trigger mechanism. She wondered if the Prince would choose to end her existence, tell her to leave or accept her conditions. Her eyes caught Tau's as she moved in her seat. Her eyes only reflected calm passivity. She wondered why the prince seemed unduly angry. He should know others would seek to test his boundaries.

She wondered if he knew how much information this charade would be giving his enemies.

[Ac1ds0ld13r]

"Boss. Let's just fold this hand, eh?" There was a sneaky smile on the gunslinger's face that clearly indicated he had an idea, as he put Rosebud back in bed. That is he stuck the massive handgun back in his holster. Ringo didn't take his relaxed position again though. However he was satisfied the threat of violence had passed. Provided Gauge didn't start anymore shit. Though Ringo's job description did not include protecting Gauge from himself. "Bueno boss?"