Dark_RP

So...whodunnit?

The most valuable information came from Genevra's contact, Max. A contact who turned out to be Sabbat. Upon learning of her death and the manner of her parting, he advised that it might be a Diablerie hit. That would explain why things didn't get cleaned up - to much of a heady rush and all.

However, diablerie sometimes has certain side effects, Max explained, where disciplines or personalities of the victim can erratically come to the forefront.

Genevra had protean - it might be possible to trap the killer by suddenly turning off lights...a trick Leo did with some of the major movers and shakers in the Giovanni clan structure. Hell - it was almost suredly a Giovanni hit, suits and wraith control, who else is it gonna be? Well, Francis Milliner was unmasked in this fashion. He claimed Augustus had sanctioned the hit because Genevra was a Sabbat lapdog.

There was some minor investigation going on as well in all of that, including confirming rumours of a Camarilla bigwig coming into town, possibly Theophilus Bell. I can't think of anything else important that happened in that session.

Unfortunately, whilst the pharmaceutical scandal was going down, Leondardo was called to Seattle on business taking Flanx with him for security. Kang was left in charge and had to give explanations for the whole affair. Things were not looking good.

DiCarlo requested permission to embrace Susanna, his niece, and it was granted by Kang with the blessings of the rest of the group. A party was to be held at the Gallery. A party that was to go very wrong. Starting with a damage painting submitted by the guest of honor, Susanna. It tarnished the atmosphere somewhat, but not so much that the party was called off. However, the insects that seem to appear in the food certainly did damage the party. And Niccolo Giovanni's unfortunate poisoning was the final nail in the coffin.

Domenic Giovanni was taking great pleasure in the disaster, and suspecting he might be involved, Enzo had one of his businesses burned down.

However, interviewing local wraiths revealed a hideous malefic spirit present that was feared greatly.

Leaving the party they encountered a street preacher, who talked of a dark angel. The angel warned that Boston had angered God and they would all die. The people should prepare: Kill themselves to escape the suffering. She looked at the group and pointed "You! He comes for you! He will have his revenge!", before melting into the crowd.

To add to their paranoia they also discovered they were being followed. The recently returned Flanx confronted his tail who told him he was working for 'Elsa' - who claimed innocence to the accusations.

After their attempted escape from the US, the killing of several Feds, Flanx and Kang were Remanded into custody with no bail. The trial starts shortly thereafter.

Terrence Monk gives his testimony - which is frankly damning. Halbert - the prosecution lawyer was charismatic, and the defense lawyer, Halloway had difficulty discrediting Monk. In light of the bad position after just one witness a deal was offered. Testify against Andreas, Stephano etc and the charges will be dropped (except those pertaining to RICO and the Feds murders which they had already pleaded guilty over).

The fire alarm mysteriously went off before an answer and they found themselves Remanded again.

Reginald visited Enzo and Leo and told them about the deal and that he could arrange for them to meet up in jail. Reginald engaged Puppetry on the prison warden and allowed the coterie a brief discussion about loyalty before proposing that they kill the witnesses and also giving them a new witness: someone who could testify some of the evidence had been planted.

Day Two of the trial: This was spent listening to O'Conner, the new witness, which closed the court while evidence was examined and the defense were once again Remanded. There was also an outbreak of spinning newspapers.

Oddly, a decision was made to move the ghouls. It turned out to be a ploy however to get them to meet with one of the Childeren of Isaac - Sir Casimir Saturninus. He had an offer to make - tell the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth and the charges will be dropped. Flanx outright refused, but Kang was interested.

Saturninus aided Kang to break his blood bond and heard his full confession about his entire life. Saturninus offered his protection to Kang and reminiscend about his old friend Lars Olafson, with a nod in the direction of Vytautus (?).

Day Three of the trial and the witnesses are consulted. Things were looking very very bad. Even their paid for witness seemed to stammer and stutter before admitting he wasn't qualified to testify. Disdain overcame them as they themselves took the stand. Only to find that for some reason lying was quite difficult to do and much was given away and admitted on trial (Yes, I run drugs organise illegal fights and prostitution and drug dealing. Also deal in black market goods and firearms, child prostitution, extortion and racketerring....) Halloway did his best to plaster over these cracks but it was to go to the jurors.

Miraculously Kang got off - but Flanx was facing a fairly hefty jail sentence (pretty slim all things considered though).

They were both taken to a meat wagon and taken somewhere...where? St. Leonard's church.

Meanwhile within the church waited DiCarlo, Andreas, Stephano, Enzo and Leonardo. They were discussing whacking Kang for his betrayal when Marianna appeared and sliced Stephano's body horrifically before vanishing again. Andreas was clearly shaken, and attempted to leave the church.

Enter the ghouls.

Andreas tells the ghouls they can redeem themselves by killing Marianna and again tries to leave the church...only to find the head of the local Inquisition/Society of Leopold, William Halbert (lawyer by day). Andreas was going nowhere and was trapped in a church with a highly pissed off 500 year old Cappadocian.

To make things worse, it was at that time a miracle happened and the entire church became Holy Ground (though Enzo didn't know it, it was the young boy he had seen whilst being tortured and in the Tempest that created the miracle). Frying Pan -> Fire

Marianna is outnumbered, but betrayal was in the air. She managed to take out DiCarlo using Caul the Living Mind. Enzo and Kang went off to one side of the church to discuss imminent betrayal and Flanx was on the other side. Leonardo was fleeing to Rocco's poker game to see if anyone was there.

Marianna and Andreas, bloody and bruised faced each other off. She with a Katana, he with double guns. John Woo was creaming himself, before Andreas lowered his guns. And threw a marble towards Marianna, who instinctively caught it before crying out in pain. Andreas, weakened, drank Flanx dry and 'allowed' him to drink his floor blood.

Enzo tried to kick the marble to Andreas, but was wracked in pain and slipped into insta-torpor.

Marianna continued the attack and, near death, Andreas drank Kang dry. The two foes were on the brink of defeat, Marianna looked to Andreas and said " Look to the everlasting night ahead,and know Auriel's prophecy: That forever shall Childe rise up to slay Sire ^*, before embracing Kang. Kang felt the kiss of a loving girl who spent centuries unable to love anyone but God. A white light rose up around them and Marianna seemed to crumble to dust, her silhouette remained and turns and walked away.

Things were not over yet - Kang wanted Andreas dead, but Flanx was trying to stop him, a fight that was terminated with Dominate. Kang woke the injured Enzo who promptly diablerized the now torpored Andreas. Thus fulfilling Auriel's prophecy. They fled when Leo returned with some straggling Giovanni that had gathered for poker.

So - who will lead the Giovanni now?
What will the betrayers do next?
Will the Children live up to the promises?
Will the Giovanni take revenge for Andreas' murder?
Will the Children take revenge for Marianna's death?
What on earth are the Milliner's going to do now?

27 years will decide all of this, the final cataclysmic act is coming...can Boston survive intact? Tune in to find out.

---

^* These are the words that Caine said,
regarding our progeny
as he rules in Enoch, as king.
Hear the words of Caine Law-Giver:

"Thou shalt not make progeny against my will
and if you are given leave,
then choose the children of Adam well,
think of them as your future brother or sister.

Look to the everlasting night ahead,
and know Auriel's prophecy:
That forever shall Childe rise up
to slay Sire.

Know that, as in all things, the Father
overcomes the childe, the Mother her Daughter:
Only through me will you come to Truth,
Only through me will you come to Peace,
Only through me will you come awake to your power.

Know thou that the right of life or death,
as in My times,
will be ever the Sire's over the Childe's,
for it has been set in Heaven
as well as in this world,
the way of things.
My father, Adam, over me,
I, over you,
You, my children, over all the progeny you get.

Thou shalt not suffer a childe to live
If it is found that he has killed
one of your Brothers
and hus drunk his hearts blood.
This is the serpent's way, and I will not abide it.

Thou shalt not Embrace those who are unworthy.
Thou shalt not embrace as punishment.
Neither shall you embrace the youngest, who
should live long before being brought into
My family, so that the wisdom of our line
will grow.

Thou shalt not embrace those woh are diseased,
insane, or ill of humors,
for they will taint the blood.

Never shall there be more kindred of Caine
than kindred of Seth in a place.
Neither should there be one of Caine
for every three of Seth.

All childer should learn from their Sire
the Law and the traditions,
The Rites and Customs
as I hae given them to you.

Thou shalt not embrace the Moon-Beasts
for these should be outcast and called
Abomination.
Neither should you taste of their blood,
for they are forbidden.
they bring Death to our door.

Embrace not the blood of the enlightened,
rather listen to their words,
watch their actions,
and move swiftly against them should they strike:
A useful sword, but often too sharp.

Taste not the blood of the Wild Ones,
for in it is Madness, neither should you
Embrace them: for you will not survive it.

Embrace not Love, for Love in My Embrace
will grow cold, wither, and die.

---

Excuse the tense disagreement - I'm too 'lazy' to go through it and edit it.