Setting
Default Location for DCCLXXVII
Minimap
northwest |
north |
northeast |
west |
You are here. |
east |
southwest |
south |
southeast |
New York City is a part of 
DCCLXXVII.
4 Characters Here
Anya [22] Assassin, slayer, and general 'shooting things in the head' girl. Currently contracts herself out to the highest bidder, with no fixed employer.
Brian Derossi [17] A New York twenty-something of Italian descent who pays his taxes, leaves good tips, goes to church every Sunday, and is about to become demon slayer, extraordinaire.
Legion Gerasene [8] Former General of the Satanic forces -- after an unfortunate encounter with the son of God, Legion spends his days in a new human form, seriously reevaluating his priorities.
Alyssia Damodred [0] The wife of the mysterious, faceless and nameless leader of the Damodred, and the most public leader of the family. She takes her orders from Damodred himself, and is one of only two people who know his identity..
Start Character Here »
- 49 posts here • Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2
Brian left his building and joined the usual crowd of midday lunch-goers. It was a short walk up the street to the light and the subway station. He tried not to glance over his shoulder where he thought he might see a gentleman in a suit or a lady with a gun in her car, but the urge was hard to ignore.
The only time he allowed himself to sneak a glance was when he was trotting down the stairs and to the lower levels. There was nothing, nothing out of the ordinary. Of course. That sort of thing only happened at night, right?
His metro ticket was in his pocket, it was quick work to feed it in through the machine, and make his way into the main terminal. This had once been just a routine for Brian, but now he couldn't stop thinking -- what if the woman reading the paper on the bench were a vampire, and what if the man sipping sprite by the information booth had a wand, or something equally ridiculous hidden in his sleeve?
Wind rushed through the tunnel as the brown line to State Street made it in on time. Brian let the trickle of passengers off as he shouldered his way into the car.
The trip to the south side was one Brian rarely made -- and when he did, he was usually with one of his cousins. It took a brave (or stupid) man to go strolling around down there cool-as-you-please, but Brian had to admit .. since staking that vampire and finding company in those two strangers, he wasn't exactly sure what his limits were anymore.
It went fast, though. Brian mostly fiddled with his phone the entire time. By the time he was nearing the final station, he had called his uncle -- and let him know that he was on his way.
The only time he allowed himself to sneak a glance was when he was trotting down the stairs and to the lower levels. There was nothing, nothing out of the ordinary. Of course. That sort of thing only happened at night, right?
His metro ticket was in his pocket, it was quick work to feed it in through the machine, and make his way into the main terminal. This had once been just a routine for Brian, but now he couldn't stop thinking -- what if the woman reading the paper on the bench were a vampire, and what if the man sipping sprite by the information booth had a wand, or something equally ridiculous hidden in his sleeve?
Wind rushed through the tunnel as the brown line to State Street made it in on time. Brian let the trickle of passengers off as he shouldered his way into the car.
The trip to the south side was one Brian rarely made -- and when he did, he was usually with one of his cousins. It took a brave (or stupid) man to go strolling around down there cool-as-you-please, but Brian had to admit .. since staking that vampire and finding company in those two strangers, he wasn't exactly sure what his limits were anymore.
It went fast, though. Brian mostly fiddled with his phone the entire time. By the time he was nearing the final station, he had called his uncle -- and let him know that he was on his way.
had been the reply, and Brian knew right there in that moment that whatever it was that had happened three nights ago was weighing heavily on the minds of his family.I'll send someone to meet you.
Anya drove down to the South Side, rather conspicuous in her expensive, shiny black porsche. It being the South Side, as the blonde woman pulled out of an intersection and turned down onto one of the streets leading toward the subway station where Brian would be emerging, she noticed a red jeep following her in her rear view mirror.
Anya rolled her eyes. This wasn't going to be pretty.
The jeep pulled alongside her as she drove, and though the angle was hard to see by there looked to be about four or five people crammed into it. Anya didn't wait for the inevitable call to "Stop the fuckin' car," and rather took the initiative.
Rolling down the window, Anya stuck her shotgun out of the window, and fired. The bullets hit the wheel of the jeep, and the force cracked part of the axel, causing the vehicle to veer off widely away from the assassin's car and crash into a dumpster.
Anya waved to the bemused 'gangstas', and increased the pressure on her accelerator.
Anya rolled her eyes. This wasn't going to be pretty.
The jeep pulled alongside her as she drove, and though the angle was hard to see by there looked to be about four or five people crammed into it. Anya didn't wait for the inevitable call to "Stop the fuckin' car," and rather took the initiative.
Rolling down the window, Anya stuck her shotgun out of the window, and fired. The bullets hit the wheel of the jeep, and the force cracked part of the axel, causing the vehicle to veer off widely away from the assassin's car and crash into a dumpster.
Anya waved to the bemused 'gangstas', and increased the pressure on her accelerator.
"Brian!" Luis Karpowicz was there, waiting on the platform for his old friend the second the train's doors closed. "Good to see you."
What Luis meant, of course, was 'good to see you here.' Brian and his uncle's associate stood still as people flowed around them. He licked his lips. "Let's go."
Luis had a car waiting outside the station. That was only safest, he supposed. Brian ducked inside the lincoln and the larger man followed.
"Bad things happening everywhere, kid. Everywhere." Luis started things off as they pulled away from the curb and joined the rest of the New York traffic. "Your old man's place .. your uncle is kicking himself. He never meant to bring trouble down there."
"I know." Brian said automatically. He clenched his fist, and he found he didn't need to pretend that he was upset. "I was there, though. I scared those guys off. I want a piece of this, Luis. I want to know -- I have to, now."
"Yeah, I suppose you do." Luis' forehead clenched in thought. "You know, your uncle always said he'd leave you out of it if you wanted it. And you always did. Now -- "
"-- now, I just want answers."
"Course, course. You can ask him yourself."
"And you don't know what's going on?"
"Not enough .. not enough to say," the man frowned.
Brian ran his fingers through his hair. "Just .. give me a rough idea."
"Weird stuff, kid. That's all I can say." Luis shrugged, as though he were embarrassed to explain what was really on his mind.
"I hear that .. "
What Luis meant, of course, was 'good to see you here.' Brian and his uncle's associate stood still as people flowed around them. He licked his lips. "Let's go."
Luis had a car waiting outside the station. That was only safest, he supposed. Brian ducked inside the lincoln and the larger man followed.
"Bad things happening everywhere, kid. Everywhere." Luis started things off as they pulled away from the curb and joined the rest of the New York traffic. "Your old man's place .. your uncle is kicking himself. He never meant to bring trouble down there."
"I know." Brian said automatically. He clenched his fist, and he found he didn't need to pretend that he was upset. "I was there, though. I scared those guys off. I want a piece of this, Luis. I want to know -- I have to, now."
"Yeah, I suppose you do." Luis' forehead clenched in thought. "You know, your uncle always said he'd leave you out of it if you wanted it. And you always did. Now -- "
"-- now, I just want answers."
"Course, course. You can ask him yourself."
"And you don't know what's going on?"
"Not enough .. not enough to say," the man frowned.
Brian ran his fingers through his hair. "Just .. give me a rough idea."
"Weird stuff, kid. That's all I can say." Luis shrugged, as though he were embarrassed to explain what was really on his mind.
"I hear that .. "
Anya followed the Lincoln subtly. And by subtly, she didn't follow it at all. On the contrary, she followed the blipping dot on her car's display -- the bug that she had put in Brian's coat -- from several blocks behind, well out of sight.
The blonde woman hummed as she drove, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel.
The blonde woman hummed as she drove, tapping her fingers on the steering wheel.
"How's things at the restaurant anyways?" Luis kindly tried to divert the conversation, "before, you know."
"Good, they were good," Brian said so honestly. Despite the situation, he had to grin, "my dad was extremely excited. Something about a new write-up in the Times."
"Yeah. I always wanted to go down there, but let's be honest. A man like me would stick out like a sore thumb." Luis looked without question like your stereotypical mobster. He raised a grizzled eyebrow at his young friend. "Anything else new?"
"Not -- " Brian found something in his pocket. It was small, and prickly. He pulled it out, and looked at the little red beeping thing. "--yeesh .. "
"What's that, kid?"
"Nothing." Brian shoved the bug back in his pocket. He didn't think Luis would be all to chuffed to hear that he was wired, more or less.
"Seein' anyone?"
"Not lately."
"What was the last girl's name, again?"
" .. Amanda."
"I liked her, you know. Liked her a lot. So did the rest of us. Shame, you know. That it had to end like -- "
"-- just stop."
"Sorry, kid."
They rode on in silence. Brian released his hold on the electronic thing.
"Good, they were good," Brian said so honestly. Despite the situation, he had to grin, "my dad was extremely excited. Something about a new write-up in the Times."
"Yeah. I always wanted to go down there, but let's be honest. A man like me would stick out like a sore thumb." Luis looked without question like your stereotypical mobster. He raised a grizzled eyebrow at his young friend. "Anything else new?"
"Not -- " Brian found something in his pocket. It was small, and prickly. He pulled it out, and looked at the little red beeping thing. "--yeesh .. "
"What's that, kid?"
"Nothing." Brian shoved the bug back in his pocket. He didn't think Luis would be all to chuffed to hear that he was wired, more or less.
"Seein' anyone?"
"Not lately."
"What was the last girl's name, again?"
" .. Amanda."
"I liked her, you know. Liked her a lot. So did the rest of us. Shame, you know. That it had to end like -- "
"-- just stop."
"Sorry, kid."
They rode on in silence. Brian released his hold on the electronic thing.
Brian's uncle lived in the top level of the Kay Building on the South Side. It was a four-story walk-up and he had never been a fan of the elevator, as the grate always slammed shut too hard and had reminded him of a prison when he was a kid. So he walked up the stairs. All of them.
"You know I have to ask you .. " Luis said in an offhand manner when they approached the main door.
"I know, and I'm not," Brian shrugged, but he removed his coat anyways, ready to be searched.
"Just go in there." Luis shrugged. He took up his usual post outside the door. "I won't bother."
Brian found his uncle and a few men he did not recognize sitting in the kitchen. He waved away cigar smoke. Everyone looked up. Brian lowered his hand.
"Hey, Uncle Ed .. "
"You know I have to ask you .. " Luis said in an offhand manner when they approached the main door.
"I know, and I'm not," Brian shrugged, but he removed his coat anyways, ready to be searched.
"Just go in there." Luis shrugged. He took up his usual post outside the door. "I won't bother."
Brian found his uncle and a few men he did not recognize sitting in the kitchen. He waved away cigar smoke. Everyone looked up. Brian lowered his hand.
"Hey, Uncle Ed .. "
Anya parked her car outside the building and carefully flicked a switch on the dashboard, triggering a spark in the bug in Brian's pocket that burnt it away in an instant, because being found in a place like this with a flashing bug was the right way to get shot.
The assassin settled in for a wait..
The assassin settled in for a wait..
If Brian smelled a bit of electronic smoke, he wouldn't have noticed it. Everyone here seemed to be enjoying some sort of cigar. The young man figured making a crack about how this looked like a painting he had seen at the Art Institute wouldn't be his best bet for making friends.
Fortunately, Uncle Ed had that covered. The man practically leaped to his feet and crossed the kitchen, arms outstretched as though greeting the prodigal son.
"My boy!"
Brian was wrapped up in a hug, a good Italian hug that left his heart hanging out somewhere with his kidneys. When his uncle finally released him, Brian coughed a few times, then made mental note to re-inflate his lungs.
"This is David's son, my favorite nephew!" His only nephew, "he's a good kid and takes care of his father at our namesake restaurant on the West side. Those sons of bitches attacked David's restaurant last night, and that is not acceptable."
The men around the table, the red-faced beefy men all raised their fists or their mugs of beer and gave a rousing sound of agreement. Brian tried not to stare at all the pistols on all the belts he saw, and he tilted his head and whispered in his uncles ear --
" -- I'd like to know a little more about those 'sons of bitches' if you don't mind."
"Of course, of course .. " Uncle Ed murmured back, and then he raised his voice to his friends, saying something short in Italian that the others nodded collectively to. Brian felt his uncle's arm wedge under his own and he was compelled from the room like a checker piece on a checker board -- through a living room, across the hall, and into his uncle's study.
"Sorry," was all Brian could say once the door had swept shut behind them, leaving them both in the mahogany office, "if you were all in the middle of something."
"Nonsense. I was behind anyways," his uncle shrugged, and came to sit in the large chair behind his desk, "honestly, I expected you to drop by sooner. What a week, huh?"
"I'll say .. "
"You fought them, Brian. You fought them off, and you protected us. How can I never thank you?"
"You can start by telling me who they were, and why they were so fast."
Uncle Ed's hand paused on its journey to the scotch glass. The man looked up, black eyes focusing on his nephew.
"Come on, uncle. I stared these things down, and I almost died for it. What's going on?"
"Now -- now Brian. You know I am a God-fearing man -- "
"Yes, uncle."
"-- and, well, and how there are some things .. that .. that not even money can explain away?"
Brian licked his lips almost nervously. He had never seen his uncle so uncomfortable before. "Yes .. "
"They're .. " his uncle fell into his seat, a different man than he had been out there in the kitchen, "well, they're something else. I have to say that."
"Uncle Ed, you're not making any sense."
"I bought property on the lower east side, contracted someone to clear out the building. There was .. there was something living there, in the tunnels of the office. Old, abandoned thing. I thought it could be a new hotel or -- or something. On paper, the property looked perfect. But -- "
Something was living there.
"What was the address?"
"Brian, you're not going down there!"
"Why not?" The young man raised an eyebrow.
Uncle Ed groped in his front pocket for a hankerchief and dabbed at his forehead. "These things .. you escaped them once, but they're deadly. They're fast. Do you realize how foolish I looked the other night, trying to explain this to your father? That there was something coming after our family, something .. something I couldn't even -- "
-- so that's what the meeting was about? Brian leaned forward.
"Uncle. I have friends. We can handle this. Just .. just trust me, alright? I'm more than just your brothers son," what was he saying? "There's a reason I survived the other night."
"God help me if you get killed, what David would say -- well, he'd say nothing, he'd never talk to me again -- "
"I won't get killed." Brian's voice was gentle. "I need that address."
Uncle Ed stared at his favorite (and only!) nephew for about thirty seconds until he reached down with a trembling hand for a pen and a piece of paper.
Fortunately, Uncle Ed had that covered. The man practically leaped to his feet and crossed the kitchen, arms outstretched as though greeting the prodigal son.
"My boy!"
Brian was wrapped up in a hug, a good Italian hug that left his heart hanging out somewhere with his kidneys. When his uncle finally released him, Brian coughed a few times, then made mental note to re-inflate his lungs.
"This is David's son, my favorite nephew!" His only nephew, "he's a good kid and takes care of his father at our namesake restaurant on the West side. Those sons of bitches attacked David's restaurant last night, and that is not acceptable."
The men around the table, the red-faced beefy men all raised their fists or their mugs of beer and gave a rousing sound of agreement. Brian tried not to stare at all the pistols on all the belts he saw, and he tilted his head and whispered in his uncles ear --
" -- I'd like to know a little more about those 'sons of bitches' if you don't mind."
"Of course, of course .. " Uncle Ed murmured back, and then he raised his voice to his friends, saying something short in Italian that the others nodded collectively to. Brian felt his uncle's arm wedge under his own and he was compelled from the room like a checker piece on a checker board -- through a living room, across the hall, and into his uncle's study.
"Sorry," was all Brian could say once the door had swept shut behind them, leaving them both in the mahogany office, "if you were all in the middle of something."
"Nonsense. I was behind anyways," his uncle shrugged, and came to sit in the large chair behind his desk, "honestly, I expected you to drop by sooner. What a week, huh?"
"I'll say .. "
"You fought them, Brian. You fought them off, and you protected us. How can I never thank you?"
"You can start by telling me who they were, and why they were so fast."
Uncle Ed's hand paused on its journey to the scotch glass. The man looked up, black eyes focusing on his nephew.
"Come on, uncle. I stared these things down, and I almost died for it. What's going on?"
"Now -- now Brian. You know I am a God-fearing man -- "
"Yes, uncle."
"-- and, well, and how there are some things .. that .. that not even money can explain away?"
Brian licked his lips almost nervously. He had never seen his uncle so uncomfortable before. "Yes .. "
"They're .. " his uncle fell into his seat, a different man than he had been out there in the kitchen, "well, they're something else. I have to say that."
"Uncle Ed, you're not making any sense."
"I bought property on the lower east side, contracted someone to clear out the building. There was .. there was something living there, in the tunnels of the office. Old, abandoned thing. I thought it could be a new hotel or -- or something. On paper, the property looked perfect. But -- "
Something was living there.
"What was the address?"
"Brian, you're not going down there!"
"Why not?" The young man raised an eyebrow.
Uncle Ed groped in his front pocket for a hankerchief and dabbed at his forehead. "These things .. you escaped them once, but they're deadly. They're fast. Do you realize how foolish I looked the other night, trying to explain this to your father? That there was something coming after our family, something .. something I couldn't even -- "
-- so that's what the meeting was about? Brian leaned forward.
"Uncle. I have friends. We can handle this. Just .. just trust me, alright? I'm more than just your brothers son," what was he saying? "There's a reason I survived the other night."
"God help me if you get killed, what David would say -- well, he'd say nothing, he'd never talk to me again -- "
"I won't get killed." Brian's voice was gentle. "I need that address."
Uncle Ed stared at his favorite (and only!) nephew for about thirty seconds until he reached down with a trembling hand for a pen and a piece of paper.
"It's the Godfrey Building." Legion said at once when Brian showed him that slip of paper.
The ex-demon had caught up with the young man about two blocks away from his apartment, and they were now plodding up the steps to Brian's front door. Legion's expression looked drawn as ever behind those oddly thick sunglasses, but Brian didn't press the issue.
Once they had gotten inside, Brian made quick work checking the doors and whatnot -- thinking that maybe Anya might be hiding behind something, ready to give him a spook. Eh. He couldn't find anything at once, but then again she had likely made a career on not being easy to --
"She's not here,"said the gentleman in Armani, slipping into an easy parade rest still on Brian's front mat, "she had other matters to take care of. Rather delicate, particular matters that probably are rather horrifically stained."
"Yeah, I bet," Brian grinned despite himself. Once more, he gestured that the ex-demon should come and take a seat on the sofa, "so, what about this Godfrey Building?"
"They used to make furniture there, oh, I'd say sixty years ago. It's a great, grand sprawling old thing, though most of its windows have been burst with rocks and no one really knows who's paying the taxes on the lot. More importantly, though, from the way this sounds .. when your uncle went there with his men after buying the property .. "
"He said something was already living there."
"Exactly."
"Vampires"
"Exactly. Very old vampires, too. I imagine they were there even when the building went up, I don't know the exact history of the area, though I really ought to brush up more." Legion tweaked his tie, "at any rate, that sounds about right."
"So what do we do, then? Are we gonna have to go down there and, what, poke around?"
"Certainly," agreed Legion, thinking of poking a great wasps nest with a stick, "though such direct approaches often end in .. tragedy."
"Tragedy, huh? So I'm guessing I can't tag along on this one?"
The ex-demon looked up. "Why would you want to tag along on something that could very probably get you killed?"
Brian shrugged, "I don't know. Part of me feels like I'm in this now, you know. Now that those things and you people came to the restaurant. When I had its blood on my hands, and then when the blood turned to dust. That's, I don't know," he fidgeted, "would it sound weird if I said, it felt like .. like I was supposed to be a part of that world -- your world -- the entire time?"
"Hmm," Legion gazed thoughtfully at Brian, "no, I don't think it would sound weird. Not at all. What do you hope to accomplish by this?"
"Getting those freaks away from my family?"
It seemed simple enough. Brian stared at the man-in-black, wondering vaguely what was behind those shades, "I mean, if that's not too much trouble."
"Of course not." Legion said softly. "We'll be going tonight, then, if you're sure."
"I'm sure."
"Anya will drop by to fetch you."
"Good. Tell her to use the door."
The gentleman in Armani had to smile, "I will do my best."
The ex-demon had caught up with the young man about two blocks away from his apartment, and they were now plodding up the steps to Brian's front door. Legion's expression looked drawn as ever behind those oddly thick sunglasses, but Brian didn't press the issue.
Once they had gotten inside, Brian made quick work checking the doors and whatnot -- thinking that maybe Anya might be hiding behind something, ready to give him a spook. Eh. He couldn't find anything at once, but then again she had likely made a career on not being easy to --
"She's not here,"said the gentleman in Armani, slipping into an easy parade rest still on Brian's front mat, "she had other matters to take care of. Rather delicate, particular matters that probably are rather horrifically stained."
"Yeah, I bet," Brian grinned despite himself. Once more, he gestured that the ex-demon should come and take a seat on the sofa, "so, what about this Godfrey Building?"
"They used to make furniture there, oh, I'd say sixty years ago. It's a great, grand sprawling old thing, though most of its windows have been burst with rocks and no one really knows who's paying the taxes on the lot. More importantly, though, from the way this sounds .. when your uncle went there with his men after buying the property .. "
"He said something was already living there."
"Exactly."
"Vampires"
"Exactly. Very old vampires, too. I imagine they were there even when the building went up, I don't know the exact history of the area, though I really ought to brush up more." Legion tweaked his tie, "at any rate, that sounds about right."
"So what do we do, then? Are we gonna have to go down there and, what, poke around?"
"Certainly," agreed Legion, thinking of poking a great wasps nest with a stick, "though such direct approaches often end in .. tragedy."
"Tragedy, huh? So I'm guessing I can't tag along on this one?"
The ex-demon looked up. "Why would you want to tag along on something that could very probably get you killed?"
Brian shrugged, "I don't know. Part of me feels like I'm in this now, you know. Now that those things and you people came to the restaurant. When I had its blood on my hands, and then when the blood turned to dust. That's, I don't know," he fidgeted, "would it sound weird if I said, it felt like .. like I was supposed to be a part of that world -- your world -- the entire time?"
"Hmm," Legion gazed thoughtfully at Brian, "no, I don't think it would sound weird. Not at all. What do you hope to accomplish by this?"
"Getting those freaks away from my family?"
It seemed simple enough. Brian stared at the man-in-black, wondering vaguely what was behind those shades, "I mean, if that's not too much trouble."
"Of course not." Legion said softly. "We'll be going tonight, then, if you're sure."
"I'm sure."
"Anya will drop by to fetch you."
"Good. Tell her to use the door."
The gentleman in Armani had to smile, "I will do my best."
A buzzing sounded on the doorway to Brian's apartment complex to announce Anya's arrival. The assassin had barely made it -- her 'business' had had her occupied until far later than she intended. As of the moment, she was wrapped up in a heavy overcoat that covered the majority of her body, and carrying a bag with her.
She buzzed once more before it was answered. "Hey, Brian..." she began.
"...do you mind if I use your bathroom, real quick, before we go? I kind of have to clean up a bit before I can be seen in public."
She buzzed once more before it was answered. "Hey, Brian..." she began.
"...do you mind if I use your bathroom, real quick, before we go? I kind of have to clean up a bit before I can be seen in public."
Brian closed his eyes. He didn't like to think what this would mean -- but the youth jammed his finger on the speaker button, and found himself replying, "yeah, come on up," anyways.
The ex-demon had left about an hour ago, leaving Brian there sitting in his apartment, at a loss for what to do. His mind whirled with what going to the Godfrey Building could mean -- not only for his uncle and the vampires, but for himself.
No, he didn't think he was going to die. Brian had realized that ages ago. That wasn't it. There was something else, though. Was he excited, curious, terrified? Maybe a mix of all three, and just a pinch of that last one.
He estimated Anya would be knocking at his door sometime soon, now. Brian leaned one shoulder against the wall, and stuffed his hands in his pockets while he waited for her. What was he getting himself into?
The ex-demon had left about an hour ago, leaving Brian there sitting in his apartment, at a loss for what to do. His mind whirled with what going to the Godfrey Building could mean -- not only for his uncle and the vampires, but for himself.
No, he didn't think he was going to die. Brian had realized that ages ago. That wasn't it. There was something else, though. Was he excited, curious, terrified? Maybe a mix of all three, and just a pinch of that last one.
He estimated Anya would be knocking at his door sometime soon, now. Brian leaned one shoulder against the wall, and stuffed his hands in his pockets while he waited for her. What was he getting himself into?
Sure enough, the rapping of knuckles sounded on Brian's door only a few moments later, and opening the door revealed Anya, greatcoat and all, looking rather dishevelled. "Evening." she said, inclining her head. "Apologies for the inconvenience."
The assassin wove her way past Brian and into the main room of the flat, removing her coat as she did so. The reason for the large piece of covering clothing soon became evident. Beneath it, Anya wore an elegant black dress, silky and extravagantly decorated with silver... and rather less intentionally, an unfortunately large amount of crimson.
The blood was spattered on her torso messily, as well as practically coating the long white glove she wore on her right arm, soaking it. Anya grinned apologetically to Brian. "The bathroom's through here, yes?" she queried, more out of courtesy than anything. She already knew.
And thus, Anya disappeared into the other room and locked it before Brian had a chance to reprimand her in the slightest.
The assassin wove her way past Brian and into the main room of the flat, removing her coat as she did so. The reason for the large piece of covering clothing soon became evident. Beneath it, Anya wore an elegant black dress, silky and extravagantly decorated with silver... and rather less intentionally, an unfortunately large amount of crimson.
The blood was spattered on her torso messily, as well as practically coating the long white glove she wore on her right arm, soaking it. Anya grinned apologetically to Brian. "The bathroom's through here, yes?" she queried, more out of courtesy than anything. She already knew.
And thus, Anya disappeared into the other room and locked it before Brian had a chance to reprimand her in the slightest.
"Hey!" Brian called after her, just as the door snapped shut, "make sure you clean up after -- "
Not that she'd listen anyways. Brian made his way back into the main room, and he gave a long low whistle.
He wasn't sure how long shotgun girl would be, so he paced a few times, tried to watch a little TV, and wondered what he was supposed to wear to this sort of thing. Anya's coat was there in a bulky heap, thrown onto his couch. Against his better judgment, Brian took a few steps closer to it.
When he lifted the coat off the couch, a hefty pistol dropped from some hidden pocket, bounced off the cushion, and onto the floor. Damn.
Brian tossed the coat back to its original spot, heard something else clank, and decided he didn't want to know any more. He knelt to pick up the weapon, though, and had to pause and stare at the thing in his grip.
Nice.
Though it could have been the clanging of pipes somewhere else in the building, Brian thought he heard the water shutting off in the bathroom. He placed the gun back under a fold of the jacket (probably near the arm) and wandered away to his kitchen.
Not that she'd listen anyways. Brian made his way back into the main room, and he gave a long low whistle.
He wasn't sure how long shotgun girl would be, so he paced a few times, tried to watch a little TV, and wondered what he was supposed to wear to this sort of thing. Anya's coat was there in a bulky heap, thrown onto his couch. Against his better judgment, Brian took a few steps closer to it.
When he lifted the coat off the couch, a hefty pistol dropped from some hidden pocket, bounced off the cushion, and onto the floor. Damn.
Brian tossed the coat back to its original spot, heard something else clank, and decided he didn't want to know any more. He knelt to pick up the weapon, though, and had to pause and stare at the thing in his grip.
Nice.
Though it could have been the clanging of pipes somewhere else in the building, Brian thought he heard the water shutting off in the bathroom. He placed the gun back under a fold of the jacket (probably near the arm) and wandered away to his kitchen.
Anya emerged from the bathroom with a yawn, having changed from her blood-soaked dress into her more practical 'work gear'. This consisted of less than subtle attire, black on black with added black, a (not shiny or latex-like) leather outfit with guns, knives and even the odd explosive strapped on about her person.
Anya really doubted that subtlety was going to be the most important factor with these vamps though.
Wandering over to her coat with the blood-soaked clothing in her bag, Anya hummed, slipping the coat on. This caused the gun to slide out onto the couch, and the assassin tutted, glancing up in the direction of the kitchen with mild amusement. Replacing the weapon where it had previously been holstered, Anya called through.
"You coming, tough guy? I'm all done. You miight want to clean your sink when you get back though. A little bloody now. You got a ride, or were you thinking of asking to ride shotgun, huh?"
Anya really doubted that subtlety was going to be the most important factor with these vamps though.
Wandering over to her coat with the blood-soaked clothing in her bag, Anya hummed, slipping the coat on. This caused the gun to slide out onto the couch, and the assassin tutted, glancing up in the direction of the kitchen with mild amusement. Replacing the weapon where it had previously been holstered, Anya called through.
"You coming, tough guy? I'm all done. You miight want to clean your sink when you get back though. A little bloody now. You got a ride, or were you thinking of asking to ride shotgun, huh?"
"I was thinking shotgun, unless you wanted me to drive," Brian strolled back into the main room, taking in Anya's new look in one glance, "or be a trunk monkey. Doesn't matter."
What was he wearing? Jeans and a button-up. Nice, decent attire if he were hosting at the restaurant but maybe -- he didn't know. Was it the sort of thing vampire killers wore?
"Is this .. " he gestured down at himself, " .. is this okay?"
What was he wearing? Jeans and a button-up. Nice, decent attire if he were hosting at the restaurant but maybe -- he didn't know. Was it the sort of thing vampire killers wore?
"Is this .. " he gestured down at himself, " .. is this okay?"
"As long as they aren't those jeans that you wear half-way down your ass, it should be fine." Anya chuckled, "Come on, Legion'll be waiting for us."
With that, Anya walked her way out of the apartment and down to outside, where she beeped open her car, tossing her bag containing the bloodied clothes in the boot before sliding into the driver's seat. The oddest thing about Anya's car was probably the fact that the back seats had been turned into what was essentially a weapon's cache -- though the computer in the dashboard came a close second.
"Makes you feel like James Bond, yeah?" Anya joked when Brian got in. "If it were an Aston, I'd be set."
With that, Anya walked her way out of the apartment and down to outside, where she beeped open her car, tossing her bag containing the bloodied clothes in the boot before sliding into the driver's seat. The oddest thing about Anya's car was probably the fact that the back seats had been turned into what was essentially a weapon's cache -- though the computer in the dashboard came a close second.
"Makes you feel like James Bond, yeah?" Anya joked when Brian got in. "If it were an Aston, I'd be set."
Brian was used to the flashy cars his uncle sometimes lent him, but this was something different. He gave his signature long, low whistle as the displays winked and beeped back at him.
"James Bond? That and Batman," he said, sliding in.
Legion. So that was the man's name? He should have expected the tall fellow in Armani wouldn't be a Jim or a Nathan. But Legion? Was it a code-name or something? And why did he always where sunglasses all the time?
"Am I allowed to ask questions, here?" Brian's tone let Anya know that his hesitation was more of a joke than anything, "Where's that guy Legion meeting us?"
"James Bond? That and Batman," he said, sliding in.
Legion. So that was the man's name? He should have expected the tall fellow in Armani wouldn't be a Jim or a Nathan. But Legion? Was it a code-name or something? And why did he always where sunglasses all the time?
"Am I allowed to ask questions, here?" Brian's tone let Anya know that his hesitation was more of a joke than anything, "Where's that guy Legion meeting us?"
"The Godfrey building, or at least, the street outside it." Anya pulled the car out and started toward their destination, glancing over at Brian. "We figure it's less suspicious to use the front door. They'll be thinking they can get the jump on us -- then bam, dead vampires."
The assassin laughed, grinning. "Obviously, it's more complicated than that, but you get the general gist. What else were you thinking of asking? I'll decide on a question by question basis."
The assassin laughed, grinning. "Obviously, it's more complicated than that, but you get the general gist. What else were you thinking of asking? I'll decide on a question by question basis."
"What's the plan, then? If they are older and more powerful vampires -- " Brian had no idea what he was saying, and a part of him, the sane part felt slightly childish, " -- then what are we gonna do? Tell them to clear out if they've been there first? Kill them all, every last one? Doesn't seem too .. "
He was about to finish that sentence with 'doesn't seem too sensible' but then again, nothing was making sense. Add that to the fact that there was a literal arsenal behind them in the back seat, Brian didn't think that Anya really had any other plans immediately in mind.
And yet, even as they hurtled along towards the darker and more abandoned parts of New York, Brian didn't feel afraid. He couldn't quite describe the odd sensation, but he felt ready.
"Aw, hell. The least we can do is go poke around the wasps nest, right?"
He was about to finish that sentence with 'doesn't seem too sensible' but then again, nothing was making sense. Add that to the fact that there was a literal arsenal behind them in the back seat, Brian didn't think that Anya really had any other plans immediately in mind.
And yet, even as they hurtled along towards the darker and more abandoned parts of New York, Brian didn't feel afraid. He couldn't quite describe the odd sensation, but he felt ready.
"Aw, hell. The least we can do is go poke around the wasps nest, right?"
Setting
0.00 INK
"Well, I somehow doubt that the bastards are gonna listen if we tell them to get lost." Anya glanced over at Brian with a wryly amused grin, "They didn't seem too interested diplomacy at the restaurant. Or was that just me?"
Anya settled back for a few moments, drumming her gloved fingers on the steering wheel and humming along to the radio. When Brian spoke up again, the assassin nodded, chuckling. "You're with us now, Brian -- you aren't the brave man of the house poking around the wasps' nest, you're riding shotgun with the professional exterminators."
It didn't take long to reach the wasp nest in question, and Anya pulled up outside, killing the engine and sliding herself out of the car. Turning around, she pushed the seat forwards in order to access the back seat, and rummaged around for a few moments. Emerging out again, Anya held a sleek black shotgun, with which she turned to Brian and held the weapon out. "This'll probably be more effective than normal civvie firearms." she said, grinning.
Once Derossi had taken the weapon, Anya bent back over and went into the car, acquiring for herself a slightly more expansive set of arms, including (possibly quite disconcertingly) a belt of hand grenades. The assassin raised an eyebrow at the probable questioning glance she received. "Hey, never hurts to be prepared." she said, grinning and hefting her own shotgun.
"Now where is Legion..?"
Anya settled back for a few moments, drumming her gloved fingers on the steering wheel and humming along to the radio. When Brian spoke up again, the assassin nodded, chuckling. "You're with us now, Brian -- you aren't the brave man of the house poking around the wasps' nest, you're riding shotgun with the professional exterminators."
It didn't take long to reach the wasp nest in question, and Anya pulled up outside, killing the engine and sliding herself out of the car. Turning around, she pushed the seat forwards in order to access the back seat, and rummaged around for a few moments. Emerging out again, Anya held a sleek black shotgun, with which she turned to Brian and held the weapon out. "This'll probably be more effective than normal civvie firearms." she said, grinning.
Once Derossi had taken the weapon, Anya bent back over and went into the car, acquiring for herself a slightly more expansive set of arms, including (possibly quite disconcertingly) a belt of hand grenades. The assassin raised an eyebrow at the probable questioning glance she received. "Hey, never hurts to be prepared." she said, grinning and hefting her own shotgun.
"Now where is Legion..?"
Brian seemed more familiar with handling weapons than he let on. Once he had stepped out of Anya's car, the thing was resting lightly on his shoulder, and the man's expression could have been carved out of stone. He had an easy confidence there, about two blocks away from the actual Godfrey building -- and Brian wasn't sure why he felt that way.
Her words about riding up front with the exterminators still banged around in his head. He didn't exactly know what to make of that particular feeling, but just then a man in a fine suit stepped out from around the corner, and Legion was speaking to them.
"I believe it may have been wiser to approach this place near high noon," the ex-demon said in way of greeting, striding until he stood before the pair, "but so mote it be. They are a careful lot, and while I saw no pale, narrow faces staring back at me there is a certain .. sentiency to the building itself. We would do well to proceed with caution."
Brian noticed that Anya did not hand Legion any weapons from the back of her car. He remembered the flash of green that had come from the gentleman, and reasoned wryly that this guy probably didn't need any.
"Can I go with you?" Brian asked Legion with a grin, making sure to nod to Anya and her bristling arsenal, "might be less bullets to fly around there, anyways."
"I believe it is best we all go in together," the ex-demon said slowly, "rather than charging in and being thrown about by superior forces. Brian is not a target of this faction, maybe they would not be averse to simply talking?"
Standing there on the street corner with no traffic and no rushing people, Brian realized for the first time that this part of the city was completely deserted. That was odd enough in itself, considering the fact that they were in New York City and it made the hair stick up on the back of his neck. There must be a reason that everyone had cleared out ..
Her words about riding up front with the exterminators still banged around in his head. He didn't exactly know what to make of that particular feeling, but just then a man in a fine suit stepped out from around the corner, and Legion was speaking to them.
"I believe it may have been wiser to approach this place near high noon," the ex-demon said in way of greeting, striding until he stood before the pair, "but so mote it be. They are a careful lot, and while I saw no pale, narrow faces staring back at me there is a certain .. sentiency to the building itself. We would do well to proceed with caution."
Brian noticed that Anya did not hand Legion any weapons from the back of her car. He remembered the flash of green that had come from the gentleman, and reasoned wryly that this guy probably didn't need any.
"Can I go with you?" Brian asked Legion with a grin, making sure to nod to Anya and her bristling arsenal, "might be less bullets to fly around there, anyways."
"I believe it is best we all go in together," the ex-demon said slowly, "rather than charging in and being thrown about by superior forces. Brian is not a target of this faction, maybe they would not be averse to simply talking?"
Standing there on the street corner with no traffic and no rushing people, Brian realized for the first time that this part of the city was completely deserted. That was odd enough in itself, considering the fact that they were in New York City and it made the hair stick up on the back of his neck. There must be a reason that everyone had cleared out ..
Setting
0.00 INK
"Legion, d'ya really think that these guys are gonna wait for us to talk?" Anya raised an eyebrow, patting her weapon. "I figure we've killed some of their buddies, and they've tried to kill us -- they aren't gonna be pleased to see us. I don't think we'll get a chance to say 'can't we all just get along?' before they attack us."
The blonde woman started to make her way towards the building itself at a slow walking pace, boots splashing in a leftover puddle from rain earlier in the day. Momentarily hooking the gun onto her hip, Anya retrieved a headband from ... somewhere about her person, and tied up the long locks that whilst looking lovely would just be no good at all in a fight. A bobby pin or two later, and any easily yankable lengths of hair were tightly under control. Angelina Jolie never seemed to think of that, oddly enough ...
"You two coming, or have I gotta clear out these fuckers all on my lonesome?"
The blonde woman started to make her way towards the building itself at a slow walking pace, boots splashing in a leftover puddle from rain earlier in the day. Momentarily hooking the gun onto her hip, Anya retrieved a headband from ... somewhere about her person, and tied up the long locks that whilst looking lovely would just be no good at all in a fight. A bobby pin or two later, and any easily yankable lengths of hair were tightly under control. Angelina Jolie never seemed to think of that, oddly enough ...
"You two coming, or have I gotta clear out these fuckers all on my lonesome?"
"Hm," was all Legion had to say. The ex-demon still hung back, stroking his chin and looking around at the building. "As I have said before, perhaps it would do to speak first. I have met many ancients. Most are harsh, but fair."
"You know what I call harsh?" Brian spoke up, hefting the weapon that had been given him. "Planning a full-scale raid of the family restaurant .. " the young man paused a second, "but maybe we can find a happy medium? I mean, I'm not in charge here, obviously .. "
Legion blinked, slid into a parade rest, and let Brian speak.
" .. But we'll try to talk it out. If they make a move past that, though, then we'll start making them catch some bullets with their skulls."
A heavy door slammed shut somewhere in the vicinity. Given the dead silence that had been hanging over the lot for the last few minutes, it was clear that this sound was extremely deliberate. Brian realized that they could have been completely surrounded in the time that it had taken him to open his mouth.
"They're everywhere, aren't they?" he whispered to Legion.
"Oh, I would imagine so," Legion shook out his sleeves, but did not clench his fists in preparation for spellwork just yet. "But I like your plan, at least to start. However, should things begin to teeter .. Anya's triggers are quite sensitive."
"Would never have guessed," Brian licked his lips. "So. When do we start the talking?"
"Soon, I imagine," Legion tilted his head to the side. "Soon .. "
"You know what I call harsh?" Brian spoke up, hefting the weapon that had been given him. "Planning a full-scale raid of the family restaurant .. " the young man paused a second, "but maybe we can find a happy medium? I mean, I'm not in charge here, obviously .. "
Legion blinked, slid into a parade rest, and let Brian speak.
" .. But we'll try to talk it out. If they make a move past that, though, then we'll start making them catch some bullets with their skulls."
A heavy door slammed shut somewhere in the vicinity. Given the dead silence that had been hanging over the lot for the last few minutes, it was clear that this sound was extremely deliberate. Brian realized that they could have been completely surrounded in the time that it had taken him to open his mouth.
"They're everywhere, aren't they?" he whispered to Legion.
"Oh, I would imagine so," Legion shook out his sleeves, but did not clench his fists in preparation for spellwork just yet. "But I like your plan, at least to start. However, should things begin to teeter .. Anya's triggers are quite sensitive."
"Would never have guessed," Brian licked his lips. "So. When do we start the talking?"
"Soon, I imagine," Legion tilted his head to the side. "Soon .. "
- 49 posts here • Page 2 of 2 • 1, 2