I will not bow, I will not break | June Catchall

[lasergrenades]

Characters: Pepper Potts, Devin Parker and you!
Date: Throughout June
Location: Keeliai
Situation: Pepper is busy with police work, Devin is being Devin.
Warnings/Rating: Mentions of blood because vampire. Others will be added as needed.


A. [Pepper] KPD | Throughout June | Open

Pepper is busy. Very, very busy. After the attacks, she seems to spend more time away from home than ever. She can't just go full tilt the whole time on her own, though. There's a department to run and people are turning to them for assistance, so when she's not helping with recovery she's organizing shifts and crews and coordinating logistics with some of the gangs that have called a truce and offered their help, as well as other groups across the city.

She doesn't sleep as much as she probably should, and it may occasionally be possible to spot her snoozing at her desk.

B. [Pepper] Jade Dojo | Early June | Bakura

Despite positively throwing herself into work, Pepper still made a point to visit the dojo when she could manage it. The last week in May and the first week of June don't give her much time to practice, but she would drop by to see Bakura and maybe help with weapons maintenance if she was there around sunset. There had been enough scolding attempts that Pepper had in fact gotten a few hours of sleep every night, but at some point even that wasn't enough. She reached the dojo a bit after dark, intent on curling up next to her favorite thief and unwinding over dinner, but only made it as far as the couch before she fell asleep almost immediately.

C. [Devin] Water Sector | June 1 | Heather

While Devin was not exactly thrilled by the arrangement that he'd made with Heather, but having multiple donors in a city where Foreigners have a tendency to vanish at the drop of a hat is the smart choice. There are a great many things and a great many people more important than his ego. The Healers Guild seemed the safest place for the experiment, and after an initial taste test doesn't send him careening into a frenzy, he's satisfied that her blood will do.

As requested, Devin goes to meet with her not long after. Unlike their previous meeting he's not quite so composed; there's something wild at the edges of him, and a sharpness in his gaze when he spots her and crosses to where she's sitting.

D. [Devin] Metal Sector | Mid June | Open

Keeliai isn't huge, but it's large enough that it's going to take some time for Devin to learn every street and alleyway. The act of memorization gives him something to do when he'd not at the police headquarters and keeps him busy enough that he doesn't stay at the Hotel much. Eventually, he'll move out, but he needs enough money for things like furniture. The Metal Sector has his interest currently, and the vampire winds up and down each street, occasionally stopping to take notes in a small journal. He looks pensive most of the time, and can usually be convinced to chat.

E. [Pepper] Turtle's Head | Mid June | Valdis/Gene

So, the past month or so has kind of sucked, and Pepper rarely found herself needing peace and quiet but... well, she needed some now. Jade Dojo and Bakura usually fit the bill there, but the serenity that the turtle's head offered was tempting enough that she took a hike out there a few times. Pepper brought her deck with her, as had become her custom, and was working with Vee to summon her in a smaller size. It wasn't too difficult, but getting into a habit of it seemed like a smart idea. The ka also consented to sit with Pepper after a certain point, sans much of her armor, and discuss deck orientation and strategies, remarking that the calm of the turtle was evident to her as well. It was a little easier to breathe here.

F. [Devin] Sky Sector | Early June | Valdis

In anticipation of her home becoming a potential cultist target, Devin had warded Valdis' house so that only she could come and go. Recent events - namely Valdis getting mildly possessed - suggested that having access to her home in the event of a similar emergency might be wise. The sword, Revelations, could have been useful to assist her and instead he ended up warding her into a room at the Healers Guild (although that might have been necessary anyway). All told, it's made him realize that he might want to alter the wards at her house somewhat; Devin has zero interest in handling Revelations ever again, but he can't deny that if he needs to use it, he ought to be able to reach it.

The vampire arrived at Valdis' house a little before sunset and knocked sharply on her door to announce his presence.

G. [Pepper] Earth Sector | Early June | Raine

Pepper has been working really hard since the attacks, and has had to be reminded to slow down (which she doesn't always listen to), and she knows that Raine and the other healers undoubtedly have been going near non-stop as well. Raine in particular has a way of spreading herself thin at times like these. So, if Pepper is going to get nudged by those around her to take a break, she's going to pass the nagging on. It's not as though she hasn't already made a habit of appearing at Raine's apartment or work with treats in hand, and today is much the same. The difference this time is that some of her tiredness is showing, even though she's smiling broadly when she knocks on Raine's door.

OOC note: let me know if you want a specific starter or add your own!

Comments

[annihilist]

"Oh, come on. You have better taste than that," Devin groused without pausing in his work. The only reason she would possibly read that book (if it came to Keeliai at all, which he didn't think the turtle would allow) would be to tear it apart. "Besides, if you were reading that, it wouldn't have been a rude interruption but a welcome one. Let's be clear on that point."

[redlightgreenlight]

"True," she laughed, "I did try reading it once though. I didn't get very far."

She flipped the page, continuing to read even as she spoke.

"And I never understood why it was so popular."

Jane Austen was a far better writer.

[annihilist]

"You saved yourself a great deal of irritation, then," Devin told her, tilting his head to see the sigils more clearly. "The protagonist is so flat that anyone can project themselves onto her, and on the heels of other, better fiction it apparently had a certain appeal. I found it had a great appeal as kindling, all offense to the author."

[redlightgreenlight]

"You threw yours in the fire too?"

Though the answer seemed quite evident, she couldn't help but ask.

"The protagonist was an annoyance for sure, but the love interest...that relationship was just screwed up from the start."

Another page flipped, leading to the end of a chapter.

[annihilist]

"It certainly wasn't going on the bookshelves where it would taint the quality literature I've collected," Devin answered. He shrugged. "I only read it to see what the latest twist in perceptions of my kind would be. Dracula was never a great favorite of mine, but it was at least better written."

He moved to the opposite side of the door frame, finding the same location in the symbols and starting again.

"What are you actually reading?" The vampire could probably look, but it was more interesting to see if Valdis would answer.

[redlightgreenlight]

"I've always had a problem with romanticizing monstrous things," Valdis commented. She looked up at him as he etched away at the door frame, a small amused smile on her face.

"Pride and Prejudice."

[annihilist]

"That does seem a prudent position to take." He'd seen it in person, the way humans and vampires alike would fawn over a particular elder or high ranking individual. Elders always had entourages, and not simply for their safety.

Though his eyes remained on his work, Devin smiled wryly. "A much better choice. I would have liked to have met Austen."

[redlightgreenlight]

Valdis supposed it could be considered prudent, though, in a manner of speaking, experience also had a role to play.

"Well, she and I didn't really run in the same circles. She was mostly an unknown until after her death, despite the popularity of some of her novels."

[annihilist]

"So I've heard. Some ridiculous standard about 'proper' women not publishing novels under their own name," Devin remarked. "At least she gained the deserved acclaim eventually, if posthumously."

He paused for a moment, carefully holding a hand out to feel the edges of the wards, testing. Apparently unsatisfied, Devin continued carving.

"How often do books like that show up here? From our own worlds, I mean."

[redlightgreenlight]

"I've never really been accused of being proper, but I played the part fairly well. The things one must do to survive." The last was half sarcasm, half bitterness. "Perhaps life would have been more interesting if I'd been more like her."

She looked up as the scratching sound paused, watching him test the wards.

"Not often, sometimes I find them at the library, other times I find them at stores. I suspect the Dreaming is responsible." She went back to reading, "My collection is rather small, but you can borrow anything you want."

[annihilist]

"Haven't you heard that old curse? 'May you live in interesting times'. It's not always what it's cut out to be," he reminded her, probably needlessly.

Devin glanced at her briefly, arching an eyebrow. "That's a generous offer." Unspoken is given the exchange a moment ago. "Anything is better than nothing, really. Perhaps I should learn kedanese before I run out of reading material."

[redlightgreenlight]

"It was probably better to not make waves, the moment I did was the moment I got caught. Of course, then I ended up here, so I suppose it could have ended far worse."

She looked up at him, also arching a brow, more in amusement. "Picking up languages hasn't ever been hard for me, mostly because most had the same base. Kedanese was a challenge though."

Perhaps it had something to do with her angelic origins, speaking in tongues and all that. But kedanese wasn't like the earth languages she had learned.

[annihilist]

"You speak like this is the end for you," Devin commented idly, a question implied without the courtesy of punctuation.

The vampire similarly had picked up a few languages, and probably could have picked up more if he put his mind to it. His brain seemed wired for it, for whatever reason, but he knew enough to get by when he needed to.

"I've heard there are quite a few dialects; I could use something to occupy me once I'm done memorizing the city layout."

[redlightgreenlight]

"Not the end," she replied, "I can't actually cross over, but, as I've said before, death would be preferable to what my enemies plan. I don't know what happens next on my world, and I'd like to keep it that way."

Valdis turned another page.

"There are several dialects, but the main one is generally universal...how much of the city have you memorized?"

[annihilist]

"And yet you'll likely have no choice but to find out," Devin pointed out. "Unless you've discovered a way to stay here and simply haven't shared that little secret."

She was probably just hoping that she could stay, or that the spell keeping them here might break down and leave them stranded. In any case, it hadn't sounded to him like their comings and goings were actually controllable.

"Most of the Sky and Metal Sectors," he answered. "I'll continue to go back over them to make sure I don't forget anything, but it's how I've been filling my spare time."

[redlightgreenlight]

"I suppose you could call it more of a hope. But yes, eventually I will probably find out what happens next. I do not look forward to that day, but until that day arrives, I'm not going to worry about it."

Valdis looks back up at him, "it took awhile to memorize the city, and much changed after the year spent in the Dreaming, luckily it was mostly the dynamics of the place. But having the city memorized is very useful when you need to move quickly."

Though rooftop was generally faster than the streets.

[annihilist]

"That's fair," Devin allowed. It wasn't as though any of them could do much about being dragged home. They apparently wouldn't even remember it.

The vampire stepped back, observing his work, and then took the knife to his thumb to make a small cut, not even wincing at it. This part wasn't strictly required, but it helped differentiate when names were not enough.

"It's also different being on foot than driving," he said, pressing his now-bleeding thumb into one of the markings on each side of the door for a few seconds. "The dynamics shift - you can move in three dimensions. I'm sure it will keep me busy for some time yet."

[redlightgreenlight]

The scent of blood called her attention away from her book, a small frown on her face. Interesting how a vampire would use his blood in such a manner, but apparently his own blood didn't cause the same reaction as that of others.

"Well, we don't exactly have cars here, so driving is a bit out of the question anyway."

Foot made more sense, easier to maneuver the crowds, easier to move freely in all directions.

"You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but how does your blood work?"

[annihilist]

"Cars, no, but I've seen a motorcycle or two. Not that their owners are likely to part with them," Devin said, putting pressure on his thumb to stem to bleeding, slight as it was.

He shrugged lightly. "In this particular instance, it's simply an additional identifying marker, should my name prove to be insufficient. If wards are person-specific, that's often the easiest way to demarcate accurately," he explained. "There's nothing especially unique about my blood, other than that it's mine."

[redlightgreenlight]

"The Midnight Hotel is a bit of a blessing in that regard, the ability to travel between sectors quickly from the building has been useful."

Not that she needed a car, or a motorcycle, she was fast enough to get where she needed to go, though it still took time to cross the city, too much time...

"If you have your own blood," she commented, "then why do you need to consume that of others to survive?" a beat, "Again, you don't have to answer."

[annihilist]

"I try not to spend much time at the Hotel. Mr. Reinherz seems to have a personal grudge against my kind, not that I blame him."

Klaus had been disbelieving that Devin carried a similar grudge, when they spoke briefly. As long as the other man doesn't try to hurt him without provocation, the vampire didn't much care.

"Honestly, I couldn't tell you. It's just the way we are. I have theories, but they're only that; nothing is a verifiable fact," he replied. A pause, and he continued, albeit a bit more tersely. "Humans are alive in a way we are not. It's that life we're feeding off of, essentially. Rumor would have you believe our first ancestors were different, that they never consumed blood, but there's no proof."

[redlightgreenlight]

"Klaus is generally very kind hearted, and I've never really seen him fight all out, but I sense that he could be very dangerous if you are on his bad side."

Valdis liked Klaus, though it seemed that they had drifted apart somewhat since Anton had left.

"Rumors and theories always surround creatures that walk out of legend. But I suppose I'm not entirely sure why my kind are driven to hunt souls and cause chaos either. They just do...we are a fairly young species in comparison to the others in my world. Even the humans outdate us. Your first ancestors, where did they come from?"

[annihilist]

"I don't doubt that," Devin agreed. He'd seen repairs on the wall at the Hotel where Klaus had ejected a kedan.

"Some rare scion of Hell, presumably. We're a younger race than humans but not by much," he answered. "No one really knows exactly where we come from. It's perhaps a miracle our race lasted this long, given that the original generation was supposedly only a hundred individuals, if that. Again, much of this is conjecture. I've studied it a fair bit but either the information doesn't readily exist or the so-called nobles have been concealing it this entire time."

[redlightgreenlight]

Sounded like the origin of Vampires was a complete mystery, even to them. Another way Hounds and Vampires where similar then, though she had learned more about her kind since coming to Keeliai, mostly through trial and error though.

"Scions of Hell," she grimaced, "Archdemons, the sons and daughters of Lucifer. I wonder what else they are capable of." A short pause as she read a few sentences, "But I don't really want to know."

[annihilist]

Nothing overt changed as Devin continued the careful process of disabling the existing wards to include the new exception, but her words settled on him with a chill. His enmity towards vampires and demons both had always been an icy thing, controlled and sharp, utterly invisible to anyone but an empath like her.

"No," he concurred smoothly. "You really don't."