[Sodium_noir] Killing Time at Harlequins

[David Rodemaker]

Michael Gaunt, Tess Martin, John Black, The Urmen
Mage, Mortal, Mr Mystery, Vamp, Garou and Mummy
a Booth
Club  Harlequin

>Michael smiled in return, quietly watching them all interact as his
>perceptions returned to the Here-and-Now. His hand dipped down and stroked
>her back in an equally intimate gesture and then returned to massaging her
>neck. He focused on Kiss for a moment, his head cocked to the side as he
>considered her fits of choking laughter, the words flowing out of him
>without thought as his Lady prompted him to speak, "Is there is no cure
>then?"

The initial reaction is hostile, the trio caught off guard by the straight
forward question. But While the vampires eyes flare and are matched by those
of the afflicted woman, the one called Babe settled them with a touch. Like
a deceptively innocent child holding the reins to a pair of attack dogs. The
atmosphere dissipates as quickly as the tensions arose.

Michael watches the jockeying of emotions among the three women, his Lady
sighing within him as She watched the Urmen. Their actions served Her as
much as they Served themselves, and Durga Syn - a search for freedom in a
world that dominated the weak and strong alike.

"The disease is fatal" Babe replied. " ... in almost every single case. Kiss
is less susceptible to the same things that would kill you or I, but her
particular nature has mutated the virus into something new. As quickly as
she heals its effects, the virus devours the repaired tissue once again. For
now her body and the disease are locked in a deadly stalemate."

Michael nodded as Babe spoke, but the movement was as much the Phoenix
Queen's as his own. The gestalt of man, avatar, and Dark Lady fed each other
knowledge and insight into what Babe said - it was still a faulty
understanding to a degree, or one that was tainted by three different sets
of interpretations of the facts. But it was still better than any single one
for understanding the day-to-day reality of what Babe spoke off.

"We've tried everything" Columbine took up the conversation. "Everything
that would not damn her soul as she sees it at least. Babe believes the
disease, Kuru, has awoken in some spiritual sense, and that is how it defies
botht he incredible healing abilities of the Lup ... of the Garou, and of
modern medicine."

Michael turned his attention to Columbine, the darkly beautiful vampire a
fetching Sight to all the layers of his Vision. He continued to nod as she
spoke, more pieces clicking into place. All the while his fingers continued
to stroke Tess's smooth skin, ancient glyphs and sigils unconsciously being
formed as he did so. 

He turned his attention to Kiss, "This is a choice you've made? And been
outcast by your family of the blood for it, only to be gathered up again by
your sisters in spirit?" It was a quiet question, barely audible save to
those with senses beyond the mundane. The tone was sad, but not accusing at
all - and had the hints of Overtones that bespoke of a spirit or the like
Speaking through or with him.

(a tag back)