Masquerade: The Autumn Court

[Imperialisium]

Caladrielle

The sorcerous rolled her eyes at Morri, "I will begin working on an incantation from which to narrow down the search. It will take some time to do with minimal risk of alerting the Demon's followers to our efforts." At that the Sorcerous moved over to the table and began studying the maps while reaching into a small pouch of her scant clothes and fetching a set of animal bones. One could only guess what they would be used for. Nikolai, however, seemed intrigued. That is, if one could see that he was looking at the sorcerous more than the bones. John on the other hand merely raised his eyebrows and pulled out his phone. Thumbing through the contact list to see if there could any help or favours that he could call in.

[Morrdh]

Morri

"Well, fer wots it's worth....thanks I guess?" Replied Morri. "Suppose theres gonna be something ye'll want in return, though I'm sure ye'll think o' something."

"So..." Morri said, turning to Alexei. "Where can a lass get some sleep?"

"Tis been an eventful few days and we gots alot o' work ahead o' us."

[Luminesa]

Alexei - Safe and Sound

Alexei was so glad to be out of the woods and back in a secure building, his knees almost hit the floor as soon as he walked inside the safehouse. Yet he knew that such safety would only last for a short time, and was not something to take for granted. Indeed, Morri and Caladrielle both began to talk about plans as soon as they entered the room. The only thing that consoles the former Inquisitor was Morri’s joke about his decorating skills. “...I don’t think John and Nikolai would appreciate me painting this house pink, blue, green, and dove-grey,” he muttered as he walked to the couch.

Sinking gratefully into the cushions, he listened to the women discussing ways to locate the church in which Belial might arise. “...There are a lot of Catholic Churches in Los Angeles, and some Orthodox as well, but Belial might not choose a church of either denomination. At the same time, however, forces such as the Lasombra, the Baali, and the Giovanni like to subvert Catholic rituals as a part of their modus operandi, so our best bet would be to start with Catholic Churches. That narrows our search, but not by much,” he explained.

He tried to do the math in his head. Several hundred churches were in Los Angeles, and they had seven days to do a search-and-destroy mission. Given a window also existed for other catastrophes to happen, Alexei knew that those seven days were not guaranteed. They were a blank slate, ready to be written with the ink of deliverance or disaster. Thus he gave a nod to Caladrielle when she mentioned an incantation to narrow the search. He did not entirely trust her, but he hoped that somehow she could earn that trust. The fate of Los Angeles, and possibly the rest of the world, depended on it.

“...Morri and Caladrielle, you are free to stay here, since we will require your help. Morri, if you wish to sleep, there is the couch and there is...well, my bed. I don’t imagine you would prefer to share a bed with the others, due to your...preferences,” he suggested, lowering his voice as Nikolai and John walked into the safehouse. “...Does anyone have any other questions, or do we all wish to go to bed now?”

[Morrdh]

Morri

"So alot o' running if we can't narrow it down any more than that and me pack's totem is having a snit with me." Sighed Morri. "Makes me think o' a line from one o' Shakespeare's plays; A horse! A horse! Me kingdom fer a horse!"

"In answer ta yer question, if tis all the same ta ye I'd like ta take the bed....after everything's thats happened these past few days I feel like I need it." Morri said to Alexei. "I mean since tis yer place and all."

---

In the street outside shadows sulked as Mr Whyte finished setting the table, placing the last cracked teacup and saucer in company of it's similarly tarnished but mismatched kin. There was also a motley collection of web-cracked and scuffed glasses along with plates of stale cakes and biscuits, plus a bottle of soured wined. The chairs themselves suffered either from woodworm or had their soft furnishings ravaged by swarms of moths.

Perfection.

Mr Whyte placed a jug of curdled milk on the table as the door downstairs quietly opened and closed again, followed a moment later by soft footsteps coming up the stairs. As half a dozen spindly figures entered the room, Mr Whyte simply nodded and the figures seated themselves down heedless to the now overwhelming odour of decay that had engulfed the room.

High Tea had begun.

[Imperialisium]

John

John and Nikolai both raised their eye brows at Morri's quote of Shakespaere. The lass evidently knew more than she lets on. Nikolai at the mention of beds got up slowly. The trail of cigar smoke following him as he moved over to his room. "Daybreak soon. Guess we all otta turn in." Disappearing into his room and thence to the closet a moment later. John swiveled and stretched out onto the couch. Evidently claiming it for his own as he did so. Caladrielle however seemed utterly unphased and kept fiddling with her bones and muttering things under her breath.

[Luminesa]

Alexei - Graceless Lady

The rest of the denizens of the safe-house were not too keen on talking, as Morri and Alexei spoke. Nikolai almost immediately went to his room to sleep, leaving a few scant words as he walked down the hall. John grabbed the couch, and Caladrielle positioned herself in the kitchen, sitting and mumbling to herself. Alexei felt uneasy seeing that she might be awake for some time. He could not tell what sort of Magic she might perform, while the rest of the house slept. Yet he was too tired now to question. His body ached, and his eyes yearned to close and rest.

He walked to his room, picked a set of pajamas, and walked into the bathroom to change. He reappeared in a loose pink t-shirt and some sweatpants, and fell quite happily into the mattress. Yet as he did so, he watched Morri enter, and for some reason his eyes could not shut. He blinked and tried to lie back in bed, but he could not relax. He sighed, and stretched as he moved.

Taking a moment to prop himself comfortably in the bed, he sighed. “...So, Morri...” he called to her, his voice still soft and a little ragged, “Since you’ve brought it up a few times now...Your...totem...How do you know that if we...do the deed...that you will have your powers back? I...I know I must sound like a fool, since we do not have much time to spare now, but...I have to be sure...This...I can’t lie, this isn’t how I...would have envisioned...this happening...I’m sorry.”

[Morrdh]

Morri

Morri quickly visited the bathroom after Alexei and reappeared dressed in her t-shirt and underwear, not having the luxury of a change of clothes. She gave Alexei a weak smile, though it gave way to a frown and a sigh when Alexei asked about the totem.

"Yeah, that's the long and short o' it." She answered. "Also the quickest and easiest way considering we're against the clock."

"Though I didn't choose this totem, Connor's pack already had it long 'fore I joined." Morri pointed out. "If I was still with me old pack, rather it was still around, their totem had a boon that could've been fulfilled by visiting a pet shop."

"Look," Said Morri as she seated herself down on the bed next to Alexei and held his hand. "Us wolves learnt long ago ta be pragmatic 'bouts things and if it makes ye feel any better tis not how I imagine....well...this happening either."

"Besides it ain't just 'bouts all the nice powers the totem gives, it also a erm....connectedness with me pack through the totem." Morri continued. "Kinda hard ta explain but through the totem we feel whole, without it we're...well....imagine the worst case of loneliness we can and combine that with a case o' being empty."

"Trust me, ye don't ever want ta experience it."

[Luminesa]

Morri

Morri quickly visited the bathroom after Alexei and reappeared dressed in her t-shirt and underwear, not having the luxury of a change of clothes. She gave Alexei a weak smile, though it gave way to a frown and a sigh when Alexei asked about the totem.

"Yeah, that's the long and short o' it." She answered. "Also the quickest and easiest way considering we're against the clock."

"Though I didn't choose this totem, Connor's pack already had it long 'fore I joined." Morri pointed out. "If I was still with me old pack, rather it was still around, their totem had a boon that could've been fulfilled by visiting a pet shop."

"Look," Said Morri as she seated herself down on the bed next to Alexei and held his hand. "Us wolves learnt long ago ta be pragmatic 'bouts things and if it makes ye feel any better tis not how I imagine....well...this happening either."

"Besides it ain't just 'bouts all the nice powers the totem gives, it also a erm....connectedness with me pack through the totem." Morri continued. "Kinda hard ta explain but through the totem we feel whole, without it we're...well....imagine the worst case of loneliness we can and combine that with a case o' being empty."

"Trust me, ye don't ever want ta experience it."

Alexei - Somewhere Down the Totem

Alexei frowned as he listened to Morri explain herself. She had been pushing for him to do something with her, but she herself was not comfortable with it either. Yet now the party was in a rush to make decisions. He did not like to rush. He wanted to awaken in the morning, and then make plans with a clearer head and a cup of coffee. He stared at her weary face, and he knew that neither of them had the energy for rash and vigorous activity at the moment.

Yet he liked the way she held his hand. She was warm, living, full of life, and Alexei could not help but laugh inside at the fact that he was happy just to be holding the hand of a woman who was not undead. He tried to give her an understanding smile, but even his face was too tired.

“...Having been...abandoned by my fellow Inquisitors...and stripped of my community...I understand that sort of loneliness. It is bitter, and painful, a void that...haunts me every time I close my eyes...” He sighed, and squeezed her hand. “Let’s...sleep for the evening, and tomorrow we’ll see how much searching we can complete. If...we find that we are going to fall too far behind...then we can try to make a decision...knowing a little more of our...predicament...” He kissed her cheek, trying to reason while also being kind. He knew he was inviting temptation, but at this point he figured he would fall asleep too fast for it to take him.

[Morrdh]

Morri

"Yeah...sleep sounds good." Morri said, her weak smile returning. "Just wished Connor had picked a different totem."

"Oh how I long fer the days where the only things I had ta worry 'bouts were me exam results and wot career I was gonna go fer." Sighed Morri. "Don't get me wrong, being garou has it's perks it's just that it's a...different lifestyle."

"I mean I've gone from being a school-leaver ta having ta fight ta save the world in only a couple o' years, that takes some getting used ta."

[Luminesa]

Morri

"Yeah...sleep sounds good." Morri said, her weak smile returning. "Just wished Connor had picked a different totem."

"Oh how I long fer the days where the only things I had ta worry 'bouts were me exam results and wot career I was gonna go fer." Sighed Morri. "Don't get me wrong, being garou has it's perks it's just that it's a...different lifestyle."

"I mean I've gone from being a school-leaver ta having ta fight ta save the world in only a couple o' years, that takes some getting used ta."

Alexei - Lost Days

Alexei could not help but chuckle, as Morri mentioned once being a student who only had exams on her mind. “...Hmmm...I think I still have a paper waiting for me to finish it on my laptop...I wonder if I’d be able to find time for it, in-between saving the world from a wicked demon-lord,” he chuckled. He then looked down at her hand. “...Being an Inquisitor has made that difficult by itself...and now I have to...find a way to defeat a demon in seven days...or Los Angeles gets invaded by the Fae. I get the feeling that...I’m not going to finish my paper in time.”

He gave another laugh, and then looked up at her face. “...Well...we might as well sleep while we can...Tomorrow, we trek the entirety of Los Angeles once again.” He laid his head down in the pillow and turned onto his side, waiting for sleep to come. He wondered if he would be able to have sweet dreams with all the stresses he held. Maybe, if he was lucky, he would not have any stresses at all. Thus he closed his eyes, sighed, and let sleep overtake him at last.

[Morrdh]

Morri

"Yeah, well, I'd probably be flipping burgers or something now if me First Charge never happened." Shuddered Morri at the thought. "Actually probably a good thing the First Change happened."

"Night, I guess." Morri shrugged, then climbed into bed. She hesitated for a moment, then snuggled up to Alexei before she let sleep claim her.

[Finsternia]

Simone de Angelo
Quest: The Abandoned Consillia

At the start of the attack, Simone fired first in order to down the abyssal creatures. In the flurry of bullets, two of the rushing beasts fell, one smacking down before Simone's feet with a sickly crunch. With thw power of Fate, the young Mage's bullets would find and hit their quarry but they were far too many. They couldn't fight so easily against mindless and voracious beasts like this, for the use of blatant magic to protect themselves will only cause danger. One of the Mages were brought down, and the rest of the pack shuffled and pounced upon him. They cannot gun down this pack without strategy, without preparation. As the oldest Mage made the order of the retreat, Simone gave the dying man being feasted upon the abyssal horrors one last look as he ran. "We either find the exit or close the Abyssal rift! The doors will not so easily open now that we're trapped!"

Sage Astorias
Outside the Consillia

The Consillia's door closed before them as the team of ten Masters and one Acanthus Adept walked in. Astorias knew that the metal doors would snap close and never open again until they find the control room. His aged hand is lightly placed upon the sword by his waist, and his crooked back straight and sturdy. Time flows differently within, or rather that time stands still within while time outside flows as it is intended. It might take a long time for them to come out. Days, weeks, even months if the Paradox within changes. He can stay here and guard them, but a more concerning matter comes to them.

As an Archmaster, his Mage Sight is far more refined than most. With his ears he could hear things that weren't there. The beeps and boops of information being transmitted through waves of invisible data. His ears twitch and his hand holds closer to his sword. Of course other factions would come for this place. While the Pentacle aims to retake this Consillia and heal the wound within, others wouldn't be so kind. The Sage slowly pulls his sword out of its sheathe and the crisp clang of metal echoes even louder, and the light of the moon that shines upon the steel is amplified greatly. With the powers of Magic and the Practice of Patterning, the soundwaves and friction produced was converted into an electromagnetic pulse to disrupt their tools and weaponry, and the flash intensified into a bright flashbang that would disable and overwhelm those who had sight on him. He holds onto his charge's hand and looks into her face, his face stern and serious to the Changeling. "We need to go. There are Technocrats here." With a swift cut of his sword, Astorias and Epeiosa steps into his Golden Road and into safety, leaving only a set of footsteps to find.

[Luminesa]

Mikhailov, One Day Ahead - The Dance We Do

Being back in Silvanus's lair, or what was considered his lair now, was relaxing, contrasted with the awful facility that held him some time ago. He could now shave, perhaps shower, and even eat, if anything was around for him to eat. He sighed with happiness. The darkness was his light, and he had embraced that Silvanus's ever-glitching shadow was the beacon that kept him out of harm's way. Not that he feared jumping into the chaos that was Los Angeles, but even he needed some time to breathe after having his kidney removed without anesthesia. The pain had been monstrous, a well of blood and screams that had exploded from his body. Now he was in one piece, healing, and soon he would be ready to help Silvanus with his own dastardly deeds.

Michael was also glad for Mikhailov's return, but the Mage would not have recognized his Doll without hearing his voice. Having arrived from...wherever the Dolls had been hiding...Michael had decided to change his appearance for the sake of preserving himself. As the Doll entered the room in which Mikhailov and Silvanus had been speaking, the former had to blink several times as he saw the meek being standing in the doorway. "...And you are..."

"Kostya...you don't remember me?..." The Doll had changed its appearance, most prominently its hair. Once it sported Mikhailov's own fair blonde locks, but now those locks had been cut into a messy bob, which was also brunette. The Doll had also decided to wear clothes that were more formal than Mikhailov's own, dressing now in a pink blouse with a black bow at the collar, black pants, and black boots. Strange, out-of-time, and yet also beautiful, a perfect representation of its creator.

"...I do now that I hear your voice. How are you doing, Michael?" Mikhailov smirked. He had not seen his Doll in a year, and he had to wonder what had become of him.

The being gave its shy smile and looked at the floor. "...I have become stronger for the service of Lord Silvanus...Darkness is coming for us all, Kostya...I must be of some service..." he murmured, his voice much like his namesake's, but sweeter and politer as always.

"...And that would be?..." Mikhailov stared at the Doll, raising an eyebrow.

The Doll approached and took the Mage's hand, rubbing the skin of his hand with a gentle thumb. "...Let me nurse you, and I will tell you...but the darkness is close, and you must be strong...We must all be strong."

Resigning to this fate, Mikhailov let the Doll take him away for some time, hoping that maybe Michael could do something about the dull aching on his abdomen. He was hoping no infections were forming, or worse.

As soon as he was out of that room, he was given a bath in another. Mikhailov did not like the idea of being bathed by someone else, but he realized upon sitting down that his legs were still too shaky to stand for some time. He needed this rest, this pampering from the Doll. He groaned, undressed, and sat in a bubble-filled tub. "...Coconut." He grinned at the Doll, who began to scrub his arms with a sponge. "...You remembered the scent I liked, huh?..."

"Why would I forget?...I have missed you more than anyone...Perhaps Alexei misses you more. I miss him as well, as his kindness has saved me several times..." Michael murmured to him as he worked, meticulous and careful with the Mage's aching body.

"...And how is Alexei?...Any word on him?"

The Doll shook his head. "No word, but Lord Silvanus presumes he is alive. Therefore I presume the same. I will go find him today while you rest, but you shall not go out until I have found him."

Mikhailov groaned playfully, and smirked at Michael. "Still the fun-police, aren't you? The last time you went out on your own, Silvanus had to stitch your entire arm and shoulder back to your body, and then some of your neck. Plan to lose another arm? Maybe a leg this time?" At that moment, for the first time, Mikhailov looked down and noticed the arm that had been put back in its place. The skin on that arm was slightly darker than the skin on the other arm. A darkened thought clouded his mind. He had that arm stitched back together...How much else of him was replaced in the meantime?...Is this really still Michael? He did not want to think too deeply. The Doll's existence was disturbing enough, and he was not posing a threat to him. He might as well let ignorance mean bliss, or at least less stress.

After his bath, the Doll found Mikhailov some new clothes and dressed him. "...You cannot present yourself to Lord Silvanus while wearing such bloodied rags..."

"...Hmmmm...you never know if he likes all of that blood, Michael..." The Mage gave him a crude, knowing smirk.

Michael did not budge, and continued to button his shirt. "I would rather you be presentable. Now please wear this and let me dispose of your ruined clothes. Would you like for me to shave your face?" He touched Mikhailov's chin with a light, feathery hand, and felt the slight beard that had formed. Those scientists had kept him clean-shaven for surgeries and experiments, but in the last few days he had regained some matted, honey-colored scruff.

"...I'll manage..." Mikhailov laughed as he found the razor. As much as he trusted Michael, he knew Silvanus would have the sort of humor to make Michael glitch and slit his throat with a razor. He searched the bathroom drawer, and with some relief, he found a clean, sharp razor. Oh this awful dance we do...Waltzing around the fact that we are all but one moment, one snip from being at each others' throats and covered in blood...But it's a dance that's worth coming back for... He shaved his face, and then looked to his Doll. "...Am I presentable now?"

The Doll blushed, and took his hand. "...Lord Silvanus will be glad to see your new appearance...as I already am..." He once again felt the Mage's cheek, stroking it while giving Mikhailov an affectionate stare. If only he would return that look. But Mikhailov had his eyes on Silvanus, maybe even Alexei. The Doll was only a servant, and he accepted this, glad for the moments of tenderness he could demonstrate without fear of retribution or interrupting chaos.

The Mage gave him a calm smile and took his hand, interlacing Michael's fingers with his own. "...Well then...shall we?" With the Doll's nod, Michael and Mikhailov walked back to see Silvanus. The mage was dressed much better, in a light-blue dress-shirt under a navy jacket and pants, all with black boots of his own. His hair was clean and combed, and he smelled of fresh, summery coconut. He was handsome, with all of his prettiness barely hiding the devils dancing in his heart. He glided across the room to Silvanus, and presented himself. "...Your Doll fussed over my appearance. I hope it was worth it," he joked.

[Morrdh]

Mr Whyte

"My thanks to you all for attending." Mr Whyte said to his Changeling guests as they tucked into the beverage on offer. "Short notice, but a necessity."

"Some hours ago I learnt that the entity known as the Great Beast is set to arise in this city, dooming all who reside in it."

There was silence, save for the ticking of a battered grandfather clock in one corner, for a moment. Then one of the other Fae, Capelthwaite, spoke up. "You certain of this?"

"Queen Aeron believes it so." Whyte answered. "She has charged a loose alliance of beings to track down the Beast within seven days and nights before the city is consumed by balefire."

"Most,,,,inconvenient." Capelthwaite muttered after another moment of silence.

"Indeed."

"Proposal?"

"Information." Replied Whyte. "Chiefly where the Beast resides and how to defeat it, or at least banish it. There are rumours of other, powerful beings residing in the city. So we should explore all avenues."

"So it's agreed."

[Luminesa]

Alexei - The First Morning

A man in a darkened room. Shrouded in shadows, his head bowed, his hands in his lap. Ragged blonde hair cut into a jagged mane, fell over his shoulders, covered in dirt and blood along with the rest of him. The chair he sat in was ornate and ebony, blending with the darkness to make the man look as if he was sitting on nothing but the air. With a leg crossed over the other, he looked as if he was waiting for someone to approach, for someone to come meet with him. No discernible sound floated around him. No signs of life. He was as cold as his surroundings, but strangely beautiful to behold.

Alexei could not bring himself to blink. The image was mesmerizing. This man, seemingly in-between life and death, had presented himself in his dreams, and now he would approach. His steps were silent on the marble floor, and as he looked down, splashes of garnet met his eyes in the dimly-lit room. Blood. Some sort of a battle had happened here. Or perhaps this man had walked into this room, sat on the throne, and died. Either way, the former Inquisitor approached, and stared at him.

He did not lift his face. His eyes were closed. His skin was pale, the color of death, and his lips were in a small smile. Yet when Alexei went to reach for his cheek, he saw a thumb move in the man's lap. He jumped back, but the man only just barely lifted his hand. Slow and deliberate, he touched his fingers. A connection. Some sort of warmth began to fill what should have been dead, and the eyes opened. Icy blues, which lit the room with their eerie light. He turned his head up to see Alexei.[

"...Good morning, Alexei...It has been some time, no?"

The voice was too familiar. Deep, with that accent twirling into a teasing greeting.

"...Kostya?"

Alexei awakened promptly at six in the morning, groaning as his alarm pulled him from his dream. He would have risen from the bed, but a tangled knot with burning-red hair was restraining him. He could not even remember how she got there, as they had not done anything the night before. He had slept quite well until his dream had come to meet him, and now he was confused. "...Morri?" He moved the bushels of hair to try and dig a glimpse of her face, and then chuckled when he saw her eyes closed. She probably did not know either. He simply reached for his glasses on the table nearby, and he put them on while he tried to regain feeling in his right arm. "...Morri...you want breakfast?" he murmured.

[Morrdh]

Morri

Mumbling something in her sleep, Morri snuggled that bit closer to Alexei before sleepily and briefly opening one of her emerald eyes. With a sleepy smile, she asked. "Morning already?"

"Ugh." She muttered before stretching her limbs. "Early start and all that I guess."

"Though ta be fair, I really ought ta do breakfast fer ye."

[Parcia]

The Morning.

Jonah sat on the bench in the center of the little Apartment complex's little garden. It was small, maybe a few hundred feet at most, but it was well cared for, green, with an old, storied Willow at it's center. Sofia had been sick most of the night in a bought of sickness, but had managed to contact her mentor so she could aid in forming a small portal. For most of the morning the two had been sitting there quietly, whispering sweet nothings in to their ears while holding each other.

As the air began to shimmer and spark with green sparks, signaling Sofia's mentor had begun to form her end of the portal and empowering the rune Sofia had drawn in to the dirt. The little blond women sat up and finally took the Ogre's face in her hands and kissed him, deeply. While distracted, she placed something in his hands, a bag. Finally the two pulled away.

"Come back to me Miho, I'm not raising these kids on my own, and Tia's too old to help all that much." A soft laugh, a dumb smile from Jonah. "What is this?" he held aloft the bag. "When you taught me how to reload your .44 and .454 cartridges, I took the liberty to include a few dozen hallow points filled with a mix of...well, what amount's to poison. It hinders that nasty regeneration ability Kindred and Garou have, same for the KJ too. I don't know if it will work on some one as high caliber as Ana, but it's something."

Jonah kissed her again. "You have to teach me this mix, I-" she cut him off. "I also took the liberty of digging up that Crossbow, and coated the bolts in a oil from the same mix. Come back to me, after this, and I'll teach you how to make it."

The Portal fully formed, and a women stepped through. Tia Muerte was old, impossibly so, and seeing her age in real time from a 40 year old Latin fox to a hundred year old hag of a women was possibly the first thing in 100 years that actually freaked Jonah out a bit. "Oye, Blondie, lets get a move on before reality decides to age me to death!" to emphasize her point, strangely, she racked an old, beaten lever gun in her hands.

With hitched breath, Jonah got up and held Sofia's hand as they walked over to the portal were the old witch piped up. "Pheeeeeew." she whistled. "You weren't joking, Sofi, he's massive I guess the stories you told me were true." Jonah blushed, and Sofia laughed. "So why the sudden call Miho, I know my couch is open but I'm pretty...." She stopped, cocked her head, and then with speed Jonah was not prepared for she leveled that lever gun on his face.

"You knock of my nina?!?!?" she hollered at him, fallowing soon with a string of rapid Spanish cursing. Sofia, still laughing, reached over and lowered the muzzle of the gun to the ground. "Mama, it's, it's fine. That's why I called, I need a place to kick my feet up while I ride this out...and LA isn't really that safe right now for some one with twins."

A moment of silence before the muzzle appeared in his face again. "She's pregnant with twins!? puta madre!" Another bout of laughter, Sofia lowered the rifle again. Shaking the utter awkwardness of the situation off, Jonah spoke. "Um...yea, LA isn't...that safe. Me and some friends are trying to fix that but...there is a decent chance it won't work and LA will go full...demonic Mad Max." Sofia hushed him, putting a finger to his lips. "No, no it wont, because you, the red head, the papist and that She-devil women are going to fix it, then come back to me and help me raise these kids."

Tia Muerte piped in. "Damn straight you will, we don't do deadbeat dads in my magerealm!" The two lovers each smiled. "Go, get out of here befor-" She cut him off with one last kiss.

"Come back to me, Miho." "I will, I will."

Like that, she was through the portal, locking eyes with him as the little portal to another realm shrunk and shrunk and shrunk until it was nothing, leaving a spread of fresh wild flowers over were the rune once was.

Turning, Jonah took a moment to look up in to the sky and give one hefty sigh. What a life his was.

[Luminesa]

Morri

Mumbling something in her sleep, Morri snuggled that bit closer to Alexei before sleepily and briefly opening one of her emerald eyes. With a sleepy smile, she asked. "Morning already?"

"Ugh." She muttered before stretching her limbs. "Early start and all that I guess."

"Though ta be fair, I really ought ta do breakfast fer ye."

Alexei - A Brief Peace

"...Yeah...it's hard to believe..." Alexei found his words swallowed for a moment by a loud yawn, which he caught in his hand. Blinking and stretching, he looked over at Morri, and shuddered. The last night had felt like a nightmare. He had hoped it had been a nightmare. Meeting the Fae, receiving the ultimatum to stop Belial within the week, and then re-encountering Anna. Anna, who was nothing like the Prince he knew in the last year. Vicious, cruel, impatient, perhaps even crude beneath that thin veneer of glamour. And yet somehow he still had her support, or so he hoped. At this point, understanding anything that was happening in Los Angeles was a gamble at an unlit card-table in a dark, fiendish casino, and he was making bets against monsters, ghouls, and fiends all the same.

Yet for a moment, Morri's proposal of breakfast made him forget such things. They were awake. The sunlight was winking behind the curtains of his windows. They both were hungry and wanted breakfast. Once this was done, they would dive into the stressful task of finding Belial's base-of-operations. No use in tracking demons on an empty stomach, he thought. Thus, sliding out of bed and onto his feet, he began to pick some clothes from his limited wardrobe and looked at the Garou girl. "...That's fine, if you want to cook. I'll help by making coffee...and ahhh, whatever you want me to do," he suggested, his voice still soft and drowsy.

He quickly went to the bathroom to get dressed, reminding himself that he needed to shower in the evening. Pulling a navy sweater, worn jeans, and white tennis shoes over his feet, he quickly pulled a brush through his silver, wavy mane and walked to the kitchen. In the meantime, he took notice of Caladrielle, and now he knew that the previous night was not a dream. The strange Fae soothsayer had stayed in the kitchen, preferring it over the couch. He had wondered what she had been muttering the night before, but now such things did not matter. She was now an ally, even if she was a reluctant one. "...Um...well then...Good morning, Caladrielle...Morri and I are going to make breakfast. Would you care for some coffee?" he inquired, as he started the coffee. Without a machine, he used a pan and some water. He was glad for the little grocery-shopping he did, as apparently John did not eat much, and Nikolai did not require human food at all. "...I do hope you slept well and...did not stay-up all night chanting. We'll need your energy for today's planning..."

Epeiosa, The Previous Night - Follow the Golden-Brick Road

"Wait! What?! NO! SIMONE! SIMONE!" Epeiosa panicked, as she saw the doors swing shut before her. So many Mages had entered to help Simone, and yet she still feared for him. She did not know what he could accomplish before they came to his aid, and she felt herself shaking and sweating. Turning to Astorias, she saw that he was also anxious. One hand was on his sword, and his eyes were fixed on the building. He knew that Simone was in grave danger, and he could only trust the Masters who had rushed into the building to protect and save him. Through all of this, as well, she did not know what exactly they were all fighting, and Epeiosa could only stare with questioning wrought in her eyes.

Astorias drew his sword, and the young Changeling knew that the situation was something she could not fight. Yet the Archmaster beside her was far more than a match for anyone in that building, and in this knowledge she took comfort. She drew to his side as the moon's light split against his blade, and she watched as this light surrounded the steel and grew brighter and harsher. Epeiosa swore she could hear electricity crackling, menacing at some unseen foes. Suddenly, she heard waves of sound spilling around her, and she covered her ears. As she did so, she heard an enormous explosion, and her eyes were overwhelmed by burning light. Shutting her eyes to protect them from blindness, she felt herself become senseless with fear and awe. So this...this is the power...of an Archmaster...almost...like a god...like...my father, even... she pondered, as she still squeezed her eyes shut.

As the light faded just enough for Epeiosa to see, her beloved mentor grabbed her face and made her look at him. His expression was firm and grave, and she wondered if she was supposed to do something. Yet she could not fathom what sort of Magical aid she could lend against a foe she could not even see. Before she could ask, however, he answered her question. "...T...Techno...huh?" She felt the word like static on her tongue, jolting it and frazzling her. What on Earth is a... "AH!" In a flash, Astorias had taken his sword and had slashed the air next to him, and now both Mages were in a strange realm away from humanity. Some sort of...path, laden with memories and powerful Magic. Searching around her as she regained her senses, Epeiosa blinked and absorbed the fantastical surroundings she saw. "...Wait...Astorias...what is a Technocrat? And...where...are we?"

[Morrdh]

Morri

"Was hoping fer a few more hours' kip." Said Morri. "Oh well."

"Though I'll tell ye right now that I make no promises with me cooking." She continued, reaching for her clothes. "That and I have no waiver ta hand."

Once dressed, Morri headed through to the kitchen where the Changeling Caladrielle was still sat at the table. Morri glanced at the map the Fae sorceress had been using, trying to spot anything of note. She mumbled a greeting and asked. "Find anything?"

"Can't imagine how difficult it is trying ta find a big, bad, world-ending demon lord who's hiding somewhere in the middle o' a city o' millions." Continued Morri as she rummaged through the cupboards to see what food was to hand. "I mean tis must be, as they say, like trying ta find a needle in a haystack right?"

[Imperialisium]

Quest: Abandoned Consilia

The mages were in a barely controlled state of panic. Herding each other away from the Abyssal creatures. The maddening horror and the shrieks of the Mage reducing to silence as his flesh and marrow was ripped from bone. The older mage shouted, "We must secure access to the rift and close it! If not! More will come!" Indeed, to open the Earth to the Abyssal hunger of that void like dimension was to invite ruin. Suddenly, the sound of a detonation on the ground floor above, partially muffled, filtered through the building. The mages paused, and no Abyssal creatures pursued, possibly going ground level to see about the disturbance?

***

The squad of Technocratic soldiers appeared from the forest brush slowly, methodically, and barely missed the departing Acanthus and Changeling by a hairs breadth. "Got Deviance residue. Much more heading inside." Spoke one of the soldiers. A pair of them moved up while checking their left and right. Stopping by the front doors as the soldier on the left immediately pulled out a brick of explosives and began plastering it methodically every two feet around the door frame.

"Clear!"

The soldiers rushed away before the one whom applied the explosive residue pressed a button on his wrist mounted computer. The melted then exploded through the door with licking flames. Exploding inwards and throwing sharp flaming shrapnel about the entrance. The Technocratic soldiers moved in as they breached the Consilia's defenses.

"You seeing this shit Sarge?" voiced one of the soldiers as the breaching of the magical defenses allowed time to flow once more into the building as it did outside.

The NCO leading the squad spoke softly, "Yeah, we got Reality Deviant contraband everywhere. Corpses too. Shit gives me bad vibes."

"Should blast it from orbit," spoke another trooper.

"Nah, too close to Los Angeles," stated the Sergeant matter-of-fact.

"Movement, got cold spots approaching from below!" voiced the fourth trooper as the squad raised their weapons towards the barricaded doors on the other side of the entrance antechamber. "Barricade...man fuck this place," someone said as the squad opened fire on what burst through the small gap in the barricade.

The Angelus Temple

The interior of the Pentecostal Megachurch was warping as demonic powers seeped to Earth. Statues of Angels and Christ dripped bloody tears onto the bare foreheads of cultists. Dark sermons spoke in perverse Gregorian chants while the annexes and pews were host to various acts of hedonism. One annex was host to a wild orgy of bodies. Another to the ritualistic murder of a kidnapped individual with the dabbing of their blood into swiftly blackening glyphs before the removal of intestines like rope to read portents. The victim alive all the while. While in a closed dining hall cultists partook in extravagant feasts of mundane and twisted. For among the dishes were carvings of human bone and gristle. Fat cleaved from weeping victims or willing devotees of The Beast. The Devourer.

While below, those chosen, were subject to the ultimate blessing. Soul giveth to The Beast under promise of eternal life. While their bodies became vessels of The Beasts dark angels. Servants from the other side of the veil. Possessing the bodies of the freshly departed. Decay at bay by the essence of the Demons which now inhabited their forms. Like a suit of meat in which to interact with the people and objects of Earth.

The depravity was not limited to the Church as the servants of Belial spread ever outward in twisted shadowy coils of gluttonous despair. Murder followed by possession, even the Mayor of Los Angeles and His Family were not safe as their motorcade was infiltrated by Demons. Their deaths disguised by the sudden possession of Demons requiring a vessel to inhabit.

Seven Grand Bar

A lone figure sat before an aged yet polished grand piano. His perfectly fitted white suit complimented the faded haircut of blond locks sprouting from his scalp. Pearly blue-green eyes shown like twin diamonds in the night. Perfectly proportional in every aspect of his form. Fingers dancing over the keys as he sung an eloquent rendition of Janis Joplins Piece of my Heart. The raw emotion of his voice tempered by the finesse of vocal skill. Going from deep into his chest to measured octaves rising with the beat of this instrumental cover. A chilled martini resting on the closed piano cover before him alongside a pair of long emptied glasses. His captive audience smiling and grooving to the tune in the crowded bar. Their movements compounded by clapping hands as he finished the song with a dazzling crescendo of the final stanza.

"Thank you, thank you! Thank you very much!" replied the man at the piano with a soothing, sultry, deeply intoxicating voice. Swooning faces by his mere glance. A voice like the smoothest wine filling the auditory faculties of all present.

"One more?"

A chorus of affirmations! "Alright, alright!" The white suited man took a sip from the martini before him and began to place his fingers on the first keys to be played. "This is December, 1963, by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons." A moment of apprehensive silence. Then his hands began to dance along the keys as his voice took the audience to a wonderous night in 1963. His diamond eyes traversing the crowd gracefully until they quickly backtracked. Zeroing in on a raven haired woman of Old World beauty seated before him. Nursing a crimson beverage.

Oh, what a night, you know I didn't even know her name
But I was never gonna be the same
What a lady, what a night

The dark haired beauty sat back and tilted her head in recognition of his gaze. A playful smile curving her lips upwards. The blond haired musician continued singing without pause as he smoothly directed his visual attentions to the woman before him. His words carrying over to to the audience as much as she.

Oh what a night, hypnotizin' mesmerizing me
She was ev'rything I dreamed she'd be
Sweet surrender, what a night

The song carried on as the duo kept each other locked in a visual knot. Until the musicians keystrokes stopped and his voice ceased. The music dying with an abrupt crash. The blond haired musician took another sip of his martini and stood. Momentarily taking his eyes off the woman which held his vision captive for but a moment. Enough time to pull down the lacquered cover for the piano keys. Raising his eyes once more to---emptiness. He paused before turning his head slightly and speaking, "You're a wily one."

"Still swaying crowds with your verbiage, I see." replied a feminine voice rising beside him. The raven haired woman moving to his side. Leaning on the piano casually. Her simple, knee length black dress, showed off her fine form. Drawing more than a pair of eyes from the crowd around them.

"I trust you're not here to enjoy the music, Anna?"

"As much as I enjoy the music I am curious if you're aware of what is happening in the world around you." Her reply a touch condescending.

"World War 3? Already?"

"Hmm, always with the comedy." Her musing was joined the white suited man's chuckling.

"But what do I have left for characterization other than humour?" The reply only half sarcastic.

"One of your principle lieutenants is attempting to unleash Hell on Earth."

"Oh dear. Sounds serious?"

"Bel-."

The white suited man raised a finger, "I can guess who. Thought I smelled something putrid in the air recently. Puts a damper when I try to enjoy a pleasant cigar on the balcony of this fine establishment. I tell you Thor has done a wonderful job with the place."

"L-."

"Alright, alright. I assume you're asking me something. Its why you're here, isn't it? Never returning my calls to come over after all this time." Adopting a playful, if seductive grin punctuated by a wink.

"You've been wanting to kick your lieutenants asses for a while. Surprised you haven't started."

"Good deflection. Still waiting for you to ask me what you want."

Anna produced a small note and tucked it into his breast pocket before walking away. Leaving the blond haired musician to stand there alone.

The Safe House

John roused first after Morri and Alexei, followed by Nikolai, then were soon joined by pouring of cereal and blood pack as both men ate in silence. Changeling and Vampire. Caladrielle took the time to rest her eyes as all this went on. Apparently, as bored as ever and declining to take food proffered by John. At the mention of good morning and coffee Caladrielle nodded and gave a curt, "Yes," to the offer of coffee.

"Any luck with those bones?" said John.

Caladrielle nodded, "The Angelus Temple. Pentecostal Megachurch. Couldn't much more information. The place is a fortress of warding. Couldn't get through but that is where the Demons are holding up as a base."

"A Megachurch. Opulent. Ironic and fitting." voiced Nikolai between sips from his blood pack.

Ronald Reagan Medical Center

The Ronald Reagan Medical Center sat adjacent to the UCLA Campus and even at night bustled with activity. Drops of water falling from the sky as rain clouds drifted over from the Pacific. A storm was coming. But none of these droplets seemed to strike a white suited individual walking calmly into the part of the hospital which possessed the nursery. Clutching a note which he read for the third time before tucking it into the right hand pocket of his white slacks. Indeed, he entered the building dry as a whistle. "Can I help you sir?" came a voice from the reception desk. A woman, looking slightly disheveled, stared at the newcomer.

"Yes, is this the place were the babies are stored?" came the man's voice smoothly.

"Sir, thi-."

The man approached rapidly, gracefully, and whipped from his breast pocket a silk handkerchief. "Sorry love, but you've got red on you."

The receptionist looked down and there under her breast was a small red splotch. "Uh..oh." Raising her eyes back up slowly she made eye contact with the blonde haired man. She screeched! A strong arm grasped the top of her skull and twisted violently. Shattering her neck as his eyes glowed bright gold. A black noxious wisp shooting from every orifice as the Demon inside was shunted back to the Abyss. At least tried too as it tremored. Golden eyes growing brighter as the noxious cloud began to burn. Unearthly shrieks of agony echoing around the reception hall. Shattering windows behind the blond haired man. Only stopping once the cloud was evaporated in brilliant flame. Eyes dimming to normal the man tucked the handkerchief back into his breast pocket.

"Sorry love, guess I'll see myself there, you sit tight."

Straightening his suit jacket the blond haired man strode down the hall to the left. Leaving the corpse sitting limply behind the desk. Making it all a dozen steps before the sound of running. Six individuals streaking into view. A quartet of nurses and a pair of doctors. "Who the fuck are you!" shouted one of them.

"Please. Let me introduce myself..."

[Morrdh]

Morri

"Huh...ego...." Morri muttered. "Should've expected a big bad demon lord ta go big."

"Well, that saves us a ton o' time." She said directly to Caladrielle. "So...thank ye I guess."

"Though somebody's gonna have ta go and have a shufti at the place." Continued Morri as she resumed her search of the cupboards to see what she could turn into a breakfast of a sort. "Least so that we have a better idea o' wot's there rather than be the Light Brigade."

"And that somebody is gonna be me isn't it?"

---

Jacob

"Wotsit" Murmured Jacob, before the boot thumped into his side again. "Alright, alright....I'm awake!"

"Good, now git." Grumbled the bartender of the Irishman's Rest. "You've got work to do boy, morning crowd will be in 'bouts an hour or so."

"Yeah, yeah." Jacob sighed, rubbing his side and then stretching his limbs before getting out of his makeshift bed. Certainly not how he'd imagined things going once he got into LA, the whole thing had turned into a disaster. Morri had rejected him before disappearing, Connor went out for a bit and came back in a not so good mood. Already the Fianna Garou's least favourite person, Jacob kept himself out of the way and busy in the kitchen of the pub.

Jacob swore that once he'd worked his due and scraped together enough money he would return back to Britain, least hopefully there he wouldn't be seen as so much of a laughing stock. Besides, there was a definite change in the air since he got here. He wasn't sure what, but it felt like something bad was looming over the city. One more reason why coming to LA was proving to have a very bad idea.

[Luminesa]

Alexei - 24 Hours

Upon looking in the fridge, Morri would find that Alexei bought eggs, milk, chorizo, bacon, and some onions for basic foods. He had also bought a few non-perishable goods to keep in an unrefrigerated cabinet. The Garou would see rice, salt, pepper, a pack of water, a bag of coffee, some noodles, canned veggies, and some Hamburger Helper. Since the former Inquisitor knew that he might not be able to stay long at his apartment, he made sure to stock the safe house with just enough food to keep the living denizens of the building full.

The scent of coffee gave a homely atmosphere to the kitchen, or at least a semblance of homeliness. Alexei was still rooming with a vampire, a Changeling, a Fae servant of some sort, and Morri. And as he checked through his phone for messages, his comfort did not last for long.

REPORT: MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES AMBUSHED IN MOTORCADE, HOSPITALIZED WITH FAMILY AT RONALD REAGAN.

Slowly, Alexei pressed his forehead against the screen of his phone and gave a heavy sigh. He was glad that Caladrielle had made a mention of the location of Belial’s cult. At least some good news had come in the morning, but if the cult had potentially attacked the Mayor, then nobody was safe. “...So the mayor of Los Angeles has been attacked...apparently he is in the hospital...” He stared around the room, his eyes dull with emotional exhaustion. So the day began.

“We have far, far less than seven days to solve this problem. They have already attacked the government, and people are going to panic. We are in the middle of a developing disaster, and as much as I hate to say this, we need to act now as if we do not have tomorrow,” he explained.

Turning to Morri and Caladrielle, he continued, “Get the address of this church. Part of us will go in and neutralize the building. We do not have the full force of the Inquisition, though I am sure they already know in Rome of the incoming disaster. And if they have understood the severity of this situation, they will not attack us and will instead work to stop this crisis. But we cannot assume they will arrive on time either...” He groaned internally at the thought of Inquisitors finding him in the middle of the mission, and seeking to kill him instead of saving the city. Given how they managed to treat me, I can imagine some would prefer the self-satisfaction of killing someone trying to save the flock, he grumbled.

“Morri and Caladrielle, we will go into the building. Nikolai, keep the car engine warm. John...or Morri...find Anna. If she is planning to be of any use beside helping Belial to make everything worse, she will return. I do not care what authority she thinks she has. If this city is gone by tomorrow she will be a ruler of nothing, not that I care much for her throne any longer.” He had no idea what role Anna was playing in this matter. He did not care. 24 hours was all they had, and “they” included the Prince herself.

[Morrdh]

Morri

Morri frowned, the contents of the cupboards weren't exactly the most conductive towards making a Full English Breakfast. Some improvisation was going to be in order, though frying the bacon, eggs and onions would be simple enough whilst she figured out how to do the rest of it. She thought she could whip up something close to baked beans from one of the tins of vegetables. Though she realised she was probably the only person in the room who knew what a Full English Breakfast was, meaning that she could probably afford to take liberties.

Whilst breakfast was being cooked, Morri listened in on the conversation as Alexei outlined their plan of action. "Wot 'bouts Connor and the rest o' the pack? They'll be expecting word....something that could've been easier ta do."

"That is presuming yer not looking ta migrate the risk by limiting who goes..." She added before sighing. "I'll need a moment ta brush up on me Latin rites, tis been a while since Sunday School."

[Finsternia]

Simone de Angelo
Abandoned Consilia

Simone ran as explosions rocked the surface level, trying to distance himself from the abyssal horrors behind him. He goes to shoot those that are still pursuing them, the bullets hitting their mark as Fate spins around each propelled projectile. As the Mages ran, ran away from their devoured brother in arms, they find themselves free of their pursuers which instead ran for the Technocrat threat. Simone's Mage Sight pings the ticks of Time flow once again and he looks at the other Mages. "Looks like someone is distracting the beasts. Perhaps my Master, the Sage, is helping us! Sirs and madams, let us go and claim that vile Abyssal wound! We cannot let it spawn more of these creatures!" Using whatever knowledge Astorias lent him, Simone leads the Masters through the abandoned Consilia in search for the rift.

The Sage Astorias
Pathway of the Saint

As Astorias slashed a rift through into the Road of his soul, they step upon a marble path, its bricks and stones aglow with gentle holy white light. From above shines morning glow, its source nonexistent but instead is ever present within this strange locale. The pathway extends beyond the horizon, where its length is erected with pillars and temples, of churches and scenes of battles and piety. Symbols of the Mysteries that the Sage has encountered throughout his long life are at full display like a museum of holy relics. Mysteries that unravel his pursuit of the divine, his worship and belief, and his determination to become the shining beacon of God's light upon Earth are presented like scenes frozen in time. However, the Archmaster looks up upon the Changeling he has adopted and gently pats her arm. "In this place, we are safe... Those men are of the Technocratic Union... An organization that exalts the glory of mankind's progress and has turned their back to the divine light of the Supernal Realms above... They are not evil men, per se, but rather a people who walked a different path... It doesn't mean that they are not dangerous."

The old Mage chuckles and looks back towards the Phenomenal World from where he stands, towards Simone and his retinue of Masters of the craft. In the Golden Road, Archmasters are safe. Their powers may not be able to be contained with the Fallen but here, in their own retreat where the Supernal is closer, they could aid the subjects they have interests upon. As he waves his hand, tracing the old sword upon his right, he chants mnemonics that contain the language of old, invoking upon the power of Prime and Space. The Archmasters may be limited with their use of the Imperial Practices but with the Common Practices they are untethered by the chains of the Pax Arcanum. A spell to guide the Mages, one that would guide them to the wellspring of this Paradox and rip in reality, is sent and casted.

[Imperialisium]

The Safehouse

Caladrielle simply nodded to Morri offering thanks for services rendered. John folded his arms as he listened to Alexei rattle off a plan, which, was pretty bare bones all things considered. Nikolai simply grunted at his part. Then there was a knock at the door and John moved over cautiously towards it. Peeping through the hole before opening it slowly. Revealing Reynolds and Montferrat. The two moved into the apartment with Reynolds glancing at Alexei while Montferrat turned behind him as a feminine form crossed the threshold. Anna.

"Can't help overhearing absolutely everything courtesy of Morri. Recruited Montferrat who then scooped up the last surviving member of the Inquisition in Los Angeles." Indicating Reynolds who seemed utterly on edge being next to Anna. Montferrat must have gone through extreme lengths to convince the Inquisitor to join them in this endeavor. The latter speaking up, "The Templars will meet at the Church to assist in clearing the building."

But as for the Inquisition it seemed just Reynolds was present. Something which begged the question to the rest of the room. So Reynolds spoke calmly, "Rome is blind to this. No one in the Inquisition is aware of what is going on and the channels have been dead to anything going to the West of the Rockies."

Anna clasped her hands behind her back, she was not gird in her armour, rather in leather breeches and jacket with a matching turtleneck. Hair cascading around her shoulders. "As expected. The Inquisition likely is already infiltrated by Demonic agents. I would not be surprised Belial ordered the proverbial communication lines be cut the moment his Cult began to spread outwards in earnest."

Abandoned Consilia

The Mages surged through the sublevel halls in search for the rift. Needless to say it did not take long as they followed the source of the hunger. The gaping wound in reality. Until, moving into the abandoned laboratory, they saw a blacker than black mass. Static power and deep biting cold emanated from it. The gaping hole in reality was before them and the Mages could sense, no feel, the everlasting emaciation of the Abyss. Calling them, begging, seducing the Mages to step through and give themselves to the famished predators therein. They were running out of time. As the rift showed jagged edges and tears streaking off from its central mass. Beings, things, cold denizens of the Abyss on the opposing side had been lashing out, bashing, at the rift try and widen it. Increase the hole in reality until they could pass through fully. But now, it merely was eight feet across and seven feet wide, roughly circular and slightly oblate. With jagged edges and fissures in a half dozen places.