Chaos in the Shadows, Blood on the LA streets Options

[Mary-Anne Guyive...]

Mary-Anne devoured the contents of the blood bag happily, licking her lips and fingers clean afterwards. That part always reminded her of ice-cream, of sticky fingers and warm summer nights, of Da laughing in his long, lazy, quiet fashion while she told him all about gymnastics practice. Da watched all the videos that Nan took, and he displayed her medals and trophies in big cases in his study. But he never came to watch her. She understood why, now.

This man didn't look much like Da. Too young, for one, and with a curious... smoothness. He reminded Mary-Anne of a cat she had once had, one she had named none-too-creatively Mr. Mittens. Markus, she thought, had the same air of mild interest, the same aloof grace. I do not like thee, Dr. Fell,the reason why, I cannot tell... Mary-Anne's internal monologue began.

Da's voice finished for her. But this I know, and know full well. I will obey whatever you say, because I know better than to piss off a man who surrounds himself with charred corpses, and besides, he has such tasty Handy-Snax.

Once again, Mary-Anne's reply was spoken aloud, if quietly. "Yes, Da." Watching the man and woman strike off in exploration, Mary-Anne suppressed a smile at the tape-recorder he spoke into. She thought it would be only polite to ask if they wanted a ride to the club. Her lips parted, and she took a breath to call out, but Da's voice stopped her cold. Lovely, this is not yet a team effort. Think Survivor, not The Partridge Family.

"Yes, Da.", Mary-Anne walked out of the structure and back toward her car.

[Ancelote_Lefebvr...]

As they crept along the charred hall, Ancelote noticed she and Farold were alone. "Oh, fie. I believe we have been ditched. While the siren song of dancing is tempting, I would rather continue on and find out what is behind this door."

[Farold Bridger]

Farold chuckled under his breath, "I'm pretty sure I can get us into Asylum without too much hassle. But for now, shall we see what's behind door number three?"
He glanced briefly back at the retreating figure and shrugged before reaching for the door handle.

[Mickle5125]

chat transcripts

A WiP

Mary-Anne

[ Spoiler ]

As she approaches her car, she notices Markus leaning against the hood of the car. "Leaving the safety of the group, childe?"

Mary-Anne blinks and slows her approach, stopping a respectful two feet from Markus. Her face is open, unsmiling but not frightened either. "They are exploring. I do not like to poke where I am not invited."

"Some would assume that being Called is an invitation. Interesting that you would think otherwise."

She tilts her head a bit, observing him from a new angle. "I saw everything I needed to see. I don't need to burrow into other's things."

Markus smiles. "I'm sure Dr. Grout would be most pleased by this attitude. Your sire has taught you well."

A ripple of pain crosses Mary-Anne's face, and she turns her face slightly. "I'm sorry, I am not sure we were properly introduced."

"My apologies, childe. I did not mean to bring up bad memories." He bows slightly. "My name is Markus. It is a pleasure to meet you formally."

Mary-Anne lightly grips the hem of her skirt and bobs a brief, quaint curtsey. "No need to apologize, Sir. My name is Mary-Anne, and it is a pleasure to meet you as well."

"Mary-Anne... a lovely name, dear. Please, forgive me for being forward, but I find some questions best asked without flowery language. What is it that you want with your new existence?"

This is not the sort of question Mary-Anne expected. Rattled, she takes a half-step forward, and raises both small hands to tuck back her hair behind each delicate ear. Her eyes are lowered, her face arrayed in an expression of thought and worry. "I want to... I want to be a better me. I want to be more than I ever was before." This, she thinks, is close enough to the truth. This man seems like the type you do not want to give excess information to.

"Have you given thought as to how you will achieve this goal? Some would consider simply being Kindred to make one 'better'." He smiles to himself and shrugs. "I find myself in a uniquely well-situated position for helping neonates adjust and excel in their new lives. You have struck my fancy, and I would be more than happy to provide any assistance that I am able."

Mary-Anne does not quite blush. She can't, after all, without forcing herself to, and she doubts it would have any measurable effect on Markus. But her smile is soft and pleased, bright with the fresh, real happiness of a young girl. "I would appreciate that, Sir. I know a few things I would like to learn, things I would like to become better at."

"Never hesitate to ask, Miss Mary-Anne. If it is within my abilities, I will be happy to provide."

Mary-Anne does not move closer just yet, but she does look up now, full-on into his face. Her expression has lost any trace of guardedness. She seems to be searching for something, but she does not attempt to use "the smoke-dogs". She is relying, for the moment, on observation and faith. "Would you like a ride to the club, Sir? I see you've already found my car."

He meets her gaze evenly and waits before seeming almost surprised by the offer. "That would be lovely, miss. Thank you." He smiles at her while signalling to his driver from behind his back.

Only now does Mary-Anne approach closer, and only to move around to her driver's-side door. She slides into the car, modestly fixing her skirt in a gesture that is both automatic and self-conscious, as though she had been scolded to do so far too often. His door is unlocked, and he would find the car spotlessly clean, with the dashboard-mounted vase holding a single white silk daisy.

Markus calmly seats himself and buckles in before leaning forward to inspect the daisy. "You have a lovely car, Miss Mary-Anne. You've kept it very well."

She smiles, a brief flash with only half the measure of joy that a compliment like that should elicit. "Thank you. It was a gift."
Mary-Anne is a careful driver, her movements precise and measured, her hands at ten and two, eyes on the road. "I trust you will give me directions as I need them?"

"Of course, dear. I'll even guide you to an excellent parking place." Markus then proceeds to do exactly that, interspacing his directions with small talk about any number of safe topics.

Small talk is one of Mary-Anne's favorite modes of conversation, and she is quite good at it. Her life with Da was a routine of classes, lessons, classes, and lessons, making conversationally fluent in half-a-dozen charming and completely safe topics. When she puts the car into park, she turns it off, pulls the key from the engine, and looks to Markus for further direction. The same open, even, trusting expression, the keen intelligence in her eyes keeping any saccharine appearance away.

Markus smiles at her and leans in slightly. "Mary-Anne, dear. I want to warn you: you will find this club a tad on the scandalous side, and you will find the owner more so. I simply tell you this so that you will not be caught off guard by the atmosphere."

A single nod, accepting the information. "I am afraid, Sir, that you might think I am more young and innocent than I am. I cannot blame you for this assumption, it is one that I seek to encourage through my dress and actions. But thank you very much for the warning."
She offers a small, sweet smile, which seems entirely sincere despite how it adds to the image she just admitted to cultivating, and reaches for her door handle.

he laughs softly to himself and mutters, "don't say I didn't warn you, childe..." as he likewise exits from the car.

Locking the car, Mary-Anne follows Markus closely, suggesting that perhaps she is more spooked by his warning then she was willing to admit.

Markus leads her to the front of the roped off line, ignoring the cat calls coming from the waiting guests with a self-assuredness that only the most powerful of celebrities ever seem to to cultivate. He lifts the rope himself for Mary-Anne before leaning forward to the bouncer and whispering to him for a minute. Finally, he pushes open the door and allows the pulsing music to wash over them before motioning for Mary-Anne to lead the way.

Ancelot and Farold

[ Spoiler ]

Still a WIP.