PBEmail conversation From: pearlman@dinghy.cis.ohio-state.edu (Andrew Pearlman) Date: Thu, 16 Nov 1989 22:52:15 +0000 This is long: Okay, here it goes: Cast of characters:(Champions game) Spirit Guide: A young, very powerful potentially, American Indian Psychic. Brash, slightly unethical about the use of his powers, very emotional. He can read auras, see the past or the future, and has other assorted abilities. Handsome, charismatic, and in general, slightly better than the average human in almost every way. Also known as Ryan(no secret ID) Dawn: A vampire. She is mostly hispanic, very pretty. Spirit Guide and her are dating. Has several mental abilities, can fly. Very powerful, able to withstand most forms of vampire vulnerbilities. Spirit Guide just became aware of her vampire status very recently. Bonecrusher: Another vampire. Was posted about a while back. Phil Archer: Friend of Dawn's Theseus: Knowledge based super, mostly normal Kyu: Friend of Theseus, Spirit and her got into a fight(verbal) once. Onto the story... Spirit gets some food, goes to Mt. Wilson, asks some questions about vampires, Dawn answers them. Spirit gives Dawn a back rub, Theseus and Kyu show up, Spirit apologizes to Kyu, they talk about similiarities between Kyu's and Dawn's powers. Massage Theseus calls massage "Oh, yes, some people find this erotic :-)" "Can't imagine why :-)" "Hello there, I am surprised we didn't get caught in traffic" "You know, I have this feeling we've met before :-) D-"Yes, I suppose we have. Ryan, he saw me last night. R-"Should I be jealous?" T"Well only subliminal advertising. I only saw her for a second :-)" R:"Do you know Kyu" K"Well, I had some suspicions, after seeing you two, but I didn't want to say anything, since you said you ahad reasons." T"Great, that means everyone at the meeting knows, and just won't say anything to each other until the next time, after which, everyone will get angry at each other again." Spirit makes statement about vampires being paranormals Kyu asks about why are vampires killing priests Dawn won't answer Imitate each other's actions Very similiarly K"Why didn't claws affect friend?" D:"No, don't know" K claws Dawn experimentively Dawn only feel tingle. K only feels tingle Looks like everyone knows the secret Going to tell Team C, that Dawn is Benedict Dawn: "Ryan, you've got a strong will now as a human. What do you think you'd be like as a vampire? Strength comes with age, but it also comes from the will. Kyle would weaken himself and raise you. If you were a normal, you'd only fractionally weaken him, and be only slightly raised. As you are, it would be incredibly dangerous for him to raise you." "However, while I know this, Kyle doesn't. So you are in a lot of danger currently. When night falls, you'll be in even more danger." "Great. Where do I sign up :-) In case, worst comes to worst, what should I expect my abilities will be. As in, how should I use my abilities to move. Any pointers from an expert? :-) How does me having a strong will hurt Kyle any more than say, a normal will hurt Kyle? If he started the process, can he stop it, or detect the fact something is going horribly wrong. What responses would he expect from a normal person. I may have to persuade him that I am harmless :-) Does he like employing terror tactics, persuasion, etc..." Ryan (miscellaneous arm wrapped around Dawn's waist, sitting side by side) Spirit:"Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?" Dawn:"What?" Spirit:"What's done is done, but what are you doing about your iron deficiency after the hotel supply runs out?" Dawn:" 'improivse', seriously, I have made arrangements, though I would rather avoid the details." Spirit:"Is it human or animal?" Dawn:"I would rather not discuss it" Spirit:"I think I need some time alone." Dawn(weak smile):"I hope you don't become a statistic." Spirit:"I really do love you, but I can't condone drinking of human blood, when there is an viable alternative" Dawn:"What if it were voluntarily." Spirit:"Voluntarily?" Dawn:"What if it were voluntary, after all, there really isn't that much difference between human and animal blood." "Dawn(obvious pain showing on face), I... wish I didn't have to bring this up. But it wouldn't be right to bring this up after tonight, when you would have made the separation from your cell, complete. I know people. Despite what vampires may think they are, regardless of whether or not they are paranormals or some mystical creature, they, when you really get right down to it, are still people. There are times when you think you can do something wrong, because you have to, and there is no choice in the matter, and well, nothing can be done about that. But it hurts you inside. The wounds show. Either the pain shows through or you lose the ability to be human. I can't force you to take the alternative route, but very few humans would willingly give their blood for the purposes of feeding a vampire. Deception in this case, is almost worse than killing them. You would be treating them as cattle." (Spirit's right hand is trembling uncontrollably at this point, very pale) Note for GM: Spirit is really in love with Dawn. But it goes against his set of morals and mind for her to do such a thing. Spirit is more worried about Dawn being a cannibal and what that will do to her, than he is worried about himself being happy and not mentioning it. If Dawn can tell, Spirit is probably going to do something really stupid :-) He is also desperately trying to make it, so she won't feel forced to 'drink animal blood' because of Spirit or the fact that Spirit will probably do something really stupid. Andy Dawn: (doesn't like spirit's pain, clearly, but determined) "Ryan...you may know people, but you don't know them that well. Yes, a large majority of people would, if I jumped out from a dark alley with fangs bared and said 'I vant to drink your blood' would scream and run away or reach for the holy water and wooden stakes. But a significant fraction, if approached...I hate to say it this way, but there's no other way to say it, in 'seduction' rather than rape, would do so freely." (GM note: it's true...there's this book out called 'The American Vampire', this person went out and did research, and found out there really were people, who for whatever reason, pretended to be vampires, and there were people who allowed them to drink their blood...really bizarre!) "I am a person, Ryan, but I'm not a >human< person. There >isn't< anything wrong with me drinking human blood. I know it bothers you, but there's nothing I can really do about that. I don't know what to say." (looks very unhappy, watches Ryan) S:"How are you not human? Why can't you drink animal blood?" D:"It's not that I can't, just that human blood is preferable. Ryan, I'm a >vampire<. I'm not doing anything wrong by drinking blood, why can't you see that?" S:"That looks like an excuse to me. Because I am sick, anything is justifiable. Because I am a vampire, I can do anything I want. Do you understand why I can't see that?" D: "I am >not< justifying >anything<. I am justifying drinking blood, a very specific need of mine." S:"You are justifying the taking of the good tasting medicine as opposed to more ethical, bad tasting medicine." S:"I am not saying you can't, that is the general view of humanity." D:"Why is animal blood any more ethical than freely given human blood? Because I know some people who would easily disagree with that...animals can't give permission, or understand why you need it. And it's more than just good taste." S:"Because that is why vampires are hunted right now." D:"Bull. Vampires are hunted right now because they're >killing< people not because of their drinking blood." S:"No, vampires in general are hunted because they drink blood. If you mention vampires to someone, they don't go, oh my god, the vampire is going to kill me , they go where are the fangs. Why do you think they do that." D:"Because they confuse drinking blood with killing, like all the novels. Once you explain, they generally think less of it." "The hard part is getting them to >listen< to you." S:"Bonecrusher is willing to drink animal blood, what is so nice about human blood?" D:"Bonecrusher isn't my kind of vampire...he's not so focused as we are. Different vampires, different problems. Human blood is better for us." S:"Are you able to survive on animal blood?" D:"If you call wandering in a daze surviving, yes." S:"Wandering around in a daze comparatively, or by any standard?" D:"Depends on your standard. Not so much...>life<. The edge of living goes away. Worse than human, not physically, but mentally." S:"Are you able to mix?" D:"What do you mean?" S:"Mix blood, take 3/4 animal and 1/4 human over any given week, as an example" D:"I'd need more, and I'd be duller. Animal blood takes care of just existing, but it's not the same." (spirit looks really depressed) D: "Ryan, would it be ethically wrong for me to , say, drink your blood, if I asked you first and you said yes?" S:"Yes, but there is a slight difference in that specific case. In that, I would give you that, but I would consider that unethical use of our relationship." D:"Suppose I asked someone else, then, and they said yes." S:"Drinking human blood is cannibalism. The mind just isn't that good dealing with it. Regardless of what you consider yourself now." D:"You mean, your cultural immersion won't allow you to deal with it." S:"Your cultural immersion happens to be the same one, Dawn." D:"I've been...reborn, essentially. I'm not part of the same culture, because I'm different." (spirit looks really, really depressed) "I guess..."(almost dazed look) D: (touches spirit's hand) "I'm sorry, Ryan. You've got this...belief, which I can't share...can you think of me as a visitor, say from some tribe, somewhere with different customs...I'm civilized, Ryan, my habits don't >hurt< anyone. I can't see that freely given blood is >wrong<, because it isn't." (spirit barely responds at all to her touch, barely looks like he is paying attention at all, might be crying slightly) S:"Sure..." D:(Dawn looks very unhappy) "Ryan...I...(snap, she's gone)" (Ryan really starts crying now) Ryan gets up, looks around, sort of dazed, proceeds to smash the rabbit into oblivion with pushed haymakers. (There's a small spot of blood left near where Dawn was) Touch the blood. (It's a tear...) S:"Damn it, damn life, damn it all." smash the hell out of the rabbit (he doesn't care if the metal cuts him at all) (probably can't ,but he really couldn't care) (after rabbit is smashed, he just sits next to the hulk of the rabbit) (Phone rings) Answers it. Male unfamiliar voice, sounds concerned: "Dawn?" "No, this is Ryan." Male-"Who? What's happened to Dawn? (sounds very worried)" "Who is this?" A:"This is Phil, why?" (Spirit laughs hysterically) A:"Where's Dawn?" S:"I don't know. I have no idea. Do you know I just killed the woman I love. Tore her heart out. Tore my own out at the same time???" A:"?" A:"Do you know what happened to her...she's extremely upset" S:"WHY ME??? You're Phil Archer, right?" (sound of car being smashed) A:"(very calm) Yes. You're not with us, right?" S:"No, I'm not. Is there one of you I could talk to, please?" (further sound of car smashing) A:"I'm right here. Look, what the >hell< happened to Dawn...she's broadcasting like you wouldn't believe." S:"I happened to Dawn. Dawn and I were going out. I couldn't understand her...needs...I am so stupid, just so stupid...There was a question which had to be asked." A:"yes...?" S:"(giggle) So I asked it. Dumb, dumb, dumb. Did you ever see old horror movies?" A:"(dryly) Often." S:"Why am I in one???" A:"Because you are. Deal with it. I'm sorry to be so harsh, but it's >daylight<." S:(said away from the phone)"I am so sorry, Dawn" A:"I haven't ...>do< something about Dawn...talk to her. I have to go." (click) S:"I know it is daylight. Where is she?" (he hung up, seemed rushed) S:"Dawn, please, I need to talk to you." (Your senses don't pick her up anywhere in the vicinity) S:(YELLS) "DAAWWWNNN" (nothing) look with Mindscan (some commotion downstairs, but no Dawn) Go downstairs (People standing around, shattered glass on sidewalk.) look at sidewalk (you should look up, around 10th floor smashed window section) Look up (nothing on sidewalk but glass) Go up to 10th floor, as fast as I can to right room (Looks like something smashed out high velocity, at end of hall) S:"DAWWWNNN" (Nothing. You're making a spectacle of yourself :-/ Grab quarter, call her number Rring...Rring...Rring...answering machine 'I'm not in right now...' S:"Dawn, I need to talk to you. I am so sorry. Please...I was so stupid" click [look with Retrocog] [using her blood] (she ran out of the room, and basically took off down the hall and out the window) (now what?) [probably drawing quite a spectacle] Follow her.[using her blood][on ground] (I'd suggest getting a car, she took off fast) [so much for ethics] S:"Here is a check for the value of your car, doubled. Thanks." [take off]Just get them to agree with me, and for them to go and cash the check as fast as they can. [go after her] [later, after Ryan finds her] Description of some parts of situation: Spirit is wide/wild eyed, his hair matted down with sweat. He just drove up in a beat up old mustang(he usually drives a VW Rabbit convertible). His finger looks like it might have been cut. There is some blood on it. He practically rips the door off the hinges getting out of the car. His face looks very pale and he looks nervous as hell. Man in leather jacket and motorcycle helmet is giving Dawn a hug, they disengage when Ryan approaches. Ryan looks really cautious and wary Ryan:"Who is he?" Dawn:(Blinks several times)"Bonecrusher." (Ryan visibly relaxes a bit) Ryan:"Sorry, you just fit the description of Kyle, pretty well as well." Bone:"Kyle?" Dawn:"The boss. Care to sit down and talk?" Ryan:(warily/hopefully)"Sure." Bone:"Never annoy a telepath Ryan:"I think I did the same to every psychic. Bone:"Do you want some privacy?" Ryan:"Um, not at the moment." (Bonecrusher smiles a slight smile at this) Ryan:"I think of you as human. I mean, I know you drink blood, have fangs, etc, but Dawn:"When you just...just didn't seem to know how much what you were talking about, that >HURT<" Ryan:"How could I have known?" Dawn:"You couldn't have (Dawn holds hand lightly) Ryan:"That is the place I am coming from. Geez, I really bought a piece of shit for a car." (Ryan holds hand tightly) (Bonecrusher wanders off) Ryan:"Bonecrusher, you might want to look out for Kyle." Dawn:"You know, I really have no idea where I got my car." Ryan:"You have much better taste than I do, when upset. Do you want your blood back?" Dawn:(dryly)"No, (Ryan puts arm around Dawn and starts playing with hair) (Dawn leans into arm) Dawn:"Oh, Ryan, can you ever forgive my ... habit?" Ryan:"Yeah, I think so. I don't even think there is anything that needs forgiving." (Ryan squeezes Dawn with arm) (Dawn leans foward and kisses Ryan, Ryan kisses back) (Ryan bites Dawn's nose gently) Ryan:"You know, you are beautiful when you are angry, but please, don't do that to me again." Ryan:"Aw nut...Hi Bonecrusher :-)" Bone:"We should really leave. There are bats converging on this place from all over..." Dawn:"You know, I really can't stand that term." [Later] Ryan: (semi-shyly) "Oh, a few things I need to say. :-) First of all, a gift. Sort of an apology for the argument. It is for you. (pulls out a strawberry daiquiri mix bottle, full of some red substance) Got it when you were talking on the phone. It is mine, one pint's worth, still very fresh. Next, the other thing I got, while you were on the phone, well, oh hell, it can explain itself, (pulls out a small box with a gold engagement ring) I don't know if vampires can get married or anything like that, but..." :-) Dawn: "Ryan...this is the nicest thing anyone's said to me, but I >can't< marry you. Perhaps you've forgotten, but I can't tell you a lot of things, and I can't marry you with secrets in my past." Ryan:"Dawn, you will always have secrets in your past. I understand that you can't tell me certain things. If you can't get married because you are a vampire, I understand, no one put a when date on the marriage, it is only an engagement ring. A possible from you, is worth as much to me as marriage would be with anyone else in the world." Dawn: "Ryan, I can't accept that ring from you. Please, just take a no...I can't tell you why, but it's not you, it's me." (looks unhappy again) Ryan(gives Dawn a hug):"Just because one is engaged to be married, doesn't mean that the marriage is going to take place any time soon. I know my family tends to live a very long time, in general, so we will have probably somewhat similiar lifespans unless something drastic happens." (smiles questioningly at her) <dawn> "Ryan, it isn't you, it's me. I'm not right to marry." <dawn> "So I can't even promise a possible." Ryan:"What are you talking about? How can you not be right to marry?" <dawn> "I have...obligations that hang over my head. I'm not free." Ryan:"That may be true. How long do those obligations last?" <dawn> "I don't know. That's why I can't even give a possible. They may last forever. literally." Ryan:"Is this because you are a vampire and I am not?" <dawn> "It has nothing to do with you not being a vampire, Ryan." Ryan:"Is it possible for me to also assume these obligations?" <dawn> (quick shake of head) "I wouldn't ask it of you even if you could." Ryan:"Why can't I" <dawn> "You could almost say it's my cross to bear." <dawn> "You're not a vampire, Ryan. It's one of those things I can't tell you. " Ryan:"Dammit, everyone has obligations. Tons of people marry, even those with almost unsurmountable obstacles. I know you can't tell me, it is because you are a vampire and I am not." <dawn> "Not everyone has obligations like mine. And even if you were a vampire , I couldn't marry you, explain what my problem was, yes, but still not marry. Even if I were human, I'd not be able to marry you. Just...just give me time. Maybe I can work it out, maybe not. But I >can't< make any promises about the future." Ryan "Is the general problem religion? Age? Lack of child bearing capabilities? I will probably live near--" <dawn> "Moral responsibility." Ryan:"If you feel for some reason that you are unworthy of me, because of something that you have not told me, I am perfectly aware that you are unable to tell me certain things. All I ask, is that if for some reason, something which I asked about earlier, becomes tellable, that you will tell me. In any case, I feel incredibly lucky just to know you, let alone anything like dating or marriage. Don't put yourself down." (holds Dawn's hands lightly) <dawn> (sigh) "Please drop this subject. Later, I promise, we'll talk about it, but not now." Ryan:"(sigh) Okay. You might want to watch it with the blood, it is probably of a higher proof :-)" <dawn> :-) "I'll save it for later...it will be slightly better if I'm...a little hungry tonight." Ryan:":-) Probably. New vampire logo, we shall drink no blood before its time." <dawn> (dryly) "Somehow, I don't think there's a large market for that product, and the commercials might make some people feel nervous :-)" Ryan:"Hey, that is marketing. Have a cute vampire, say you for instance, in say a sexy outfit. I am sure it would sell :-) I'd buy it :-)"(last grin is slight leer :-)(then innocent smile) <dawn> "That's only 'cause you're expecting company to serve it to :-)" Ryan:"Who me? Nah, I'd only want the poster :-)" <dawn> (break script, that's a wrap on this scene-director :-) Andy Pearlman Up