Nocturne No. 5: Hard Bargains
General Summary
Jan. 2, 1995
Portland, OR
Alice raced around her store, pulling antiques off the shelves into her duffel bags while she kept an eye towards the front door. She hadn't expected the city to change so quickly, but in just a couple of days the old guard of vampires had all been slaughtered and a new kind of kindred ruled the city. She'd heard the rumors, she knew what they were capable of, and she'd be damned if she'd let them bully her into making any more flashlights. Rare books, cursed heirlooms, a lifetime's worth of oddities struggled to fit inside her bags as she worked against the clock. But still there was so much left to fit inside, so many relics that would be disastrous if they fell into the hands of a death cult. She lumbered over behind the counter, getting ready to unlock the safe when she felt the pressue in the room change. Alice darted her eyes around the dark storeroom, noticing the shadows taking on a darker and more menacing presence. The Sabbat had arrived. She blindly reached out for a couple more trinkets before teleporting out of the room, the last she saw before vanishing was a devilish grin appearing from the shadows. She wasn't sure if she'd made the right incantation for a journey to Chicago or San Francisco, anywhere that wasn't Portland would be fine with her. She arrived at her destination with a rush of air, collapsing on the ground in a cold sweat while a handful of mages raced over to her side. She felt the exhaustion lulling her to sleep, but for those last few moments of consciousness she thought of the dozens of magic items left behind in her shop.
Los Angeles, CA The Court of the Platinum Blonde cordially invites representatives from all the Camarilla strongholds of the American west to join the newly-expanded Primogen Council of Los Angeles. No one kindred could ever replace our dearly departed Seneschal, and in these unprecedented times it is best that we pool our resources and stand together against the forces threatening our kind. The Platinum Blonde will hold court at Elysium every night until a representative from each major city has been chosen.
New York City, NY Mr. Arkadin chewed on his cigar while he watched Arthur skim through the script, struggling to read the expressions on the young mage's face. He suffered in silence for several minutes until the Wizkid tossed the pages onto the coffee table, reaching for some sparkling water and shaking his head. "Listen, man, the oldtimers here at Marshall, Carter, & Dark say you're a big deal in the film world so the only reason I took this meeting was because they told me to." Arthur sighed. "Sure we have some production credits, but looking through your filmography hardly any of your movies turn a profit." The cigar fell into Mr. Arkadin's lap. "I believe you're missing the value that comes with a work of art like this," he argued. "The financials have never been my strong suit I'll admit, but you're missing the value that will come with the respect and prestige from having your company's name attached to a project like this!" "An adaptation of Don Quixote set in the modern day is barely going to break even," Arthur folded his arms. "What are you even going for here? A Merchant Ivory chamberpiece? A slapstick comedy? I can already tell that windmill scene alone is going to cost an arm and a leg to pull off." "Mr. Wriley," Arkadin said, leaning across the table. "My usual streams of funding have been cut off in Hollywood, I wouldn't have come here if I didn't believe there was something worthwhile in it for you as well." A pause. "From one awakened mage to another, I believe this film has the potential to help me unravel mysteries I've been working on for years." Arthur shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at his Rolex before standing up to button his jacket. "And from one mage to another, it's a little embarrasing having you beg like this to help solving your mysteries. I can't help you get this movie made, unless you find a good cabal you'll have to solve this one for yourself." Mr. Arkadin listened to the door shut as he reached for the fallen cigar, lighting it up with a melancholy sigh. A list of names cycled through his head as he tried of potential patrons, many of the names already crossed out from previous meetings. There was a name out in Vegas that he kept circling back to, as reluctant as he was to return to the desert it was an offer too good pass on at this point. He tapped out the cigar and shifted down the hallways of the skyscraper, dreams and mysteries plaguing his mind with every step.
Portland, OR
Alice raced around her store, pulling antiques off the shelves into her duffel bags while she kept an eye towards the front door. She hadn't expected the city to change so quickly, but in just a couple of days the old guard of vampires had all been slaughtered and a new kind of kindred ruled the city. She'd heard the rumors, she knew what they were capable of, and she'd be damned if she'd let them bully her into making any more flashlights. Rare books, cursed heirlooms, a lifetime's worth of oddities struggled to fit inside her bags as she worked against the clock. But still there was so much left to fit inside, so many relics that would be disastrous if they fell into the hands of a death cult. She lumbered over behind the counter, getting ready to unlock the safe when she felt the pressue in the room change. Alice darted her eyes around the dark storeroom, noticing the shadows taking on a darker and more menacing presence. The Sabbat had arrived. She blindly reached out for a couple more trinkets before teleporting out of the room, the last she saw before vanishing was a devilish grin appearing from the shadows. She wasn't sure if she'd made the right incantation for a journey to Chicago or San Francisco, anywhere that wasn't Portland would be fine with her. She arrived at her destination with a rush of air, collapsing on the ground in a cold sweat while a handful of mages raced over to her side. She felt the exhaustion lulling her to sleep, but for those last few moments of consciousness she thought of the dozens of magic items left behind in her shop.
Los Angeles, CA The Court of the Platinum Blonde cordially invites representatives from all the Camarilla strongholds of the American west to join the newly-expanded Primogen Council of Los Angeles. No one kindred could ever replace our dearly departed Seneschal, and in these unprecedented times it is best that we pool our resources and stand together against the forces threatening our kind. The Platinum Blonde will hold court at Elysium every night until a representative from each major city has been chosen.
New York City, NY Mr. Arkadin chewed on his cigar while he watched Arthur skim through the script, struggling to read the expressions on the young mage's face. He suffered in silence for several minutes until the Wizkid tossed the pages onto the coffee table, reaching for some sparkling water and shaking his head. "Listen, man, the oldtimers here at Marshall, Carter, & Dark say you're a big deal in the film world so the only reason I took this meeting was because they told me to." Arthur sighed. "Sure we have some production credits, but looking through your filmography hardly any of your movies turn a profit." The cigar fell into Mr. Arkadin's lap. "I believe you're missing the value that comes with a work of art like this," he argued. "The financials have never been my strong suit I'll admit, but you're missing the value that will come with the respect and prestige from having your company's name attached to a project like this!" "An adaptation of Don Quixote set in the modern day is barely going to break even," Arthur folded his arms. "What are you even going for here? A Merchant Ivory chamberpiece? A slapstick comedy? I can already tell that windmill scene alone is going to cost an arm and a leg to pull off." "Mr. Wriley," Arkadin said, leaning across the table. "My usual streams of funding have been cut off in Hollywood, I wouldn't have come here if I didn't believe there was something worthwhile in it for you as well." A pause. "From one awakened mage to another, I believe this film has the potential to help me unravel mysteries I've been working on for years." Arthur shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at his Rolex before standing up to button his jacket. "And from one mage to another, it's a little embarrasing having you beg like this to help solving your mysteries. I can't help you get this movie made, unless you find a good cabal you'll have to solve this one for yourself." Mr. Arkadin listened to the door shut as he reached for the fallen cigar, lighting it up with a melancholy sigh. A list of names cycled through his head as he tried of potential patrons, many of the names already crossed out from previous meetings. There was a name out in Vegas that he kept circling back to, as reluctant as he was to return to the desert it was an offer too good pass on at this point. He tapped out the cigar and shifted down the hallways of the skyscraper, dreams and mysteries plaguing his mind with every step.
Featured Characters
Comments