Troughout checks like this was quite tiring, especially when one of your hands were occupied. It wasn't that Karina held anything in hers, it was that Gemma held them tightly the whole time, as if it would be her most prized possession.
Since they weren't lacking time (although Karina didn't knew about the timed door), they allowed (well, Berenice allowed, obviously) a quick rest for themselves to recuperate and come up with a viable battle plan. It was a cool summer night, so the maids decided to enjoy their brief respite in the open.
Karina, of course, took the opportunity to light a cigarette with her free hand, much to the dismay of Gemma. (Who was still latching onto her other arm.) Whether the coffin nail had any effect on the vampire's mood wasn't clear. According to her expression, it at least didn't made matters worse.
Apart from that, as always, she stayed quiet and in the background (at least when Gemma, or other inconvienent matters didn't thrust her into the spotlight), expectantly looking at Berenice to sort out their next set of objectives.
edited 31st Jan '12 11:00:51 AM by dragonfi
Karina: F:18 S:0/20 Evelyn: F:11 S:6/40 "Evelyn is adorably crazy." — compliment by Vampiric One
Believe
Standing upwind from Karina's cigarette, Berenice inhaled seeply - the night air had a calming effect. She enjoyed the night time. Air was cooler, jobs were done, no chance of getting burnt, the Master was asleep.
Well... most of the time the jobs were done.
"Okay girls," The albino turned to the maids, "Let's get some supplies from the manor - we know what we're dealing with this time."
"You've got your transmission and your live wire, but your circuit's dead." - Media
Gemma's ears pricked up at the mention of 'supplies.' "Um... Bennie, I think the mooks took most of the armory with them when they left for France," she pointed out a bit sheepishly, scratching her cheek with the hand that wasn't welded to the vampire's beside her. "I mean, I guess we could see what we have left, but aren't we supposed to be doing this 'quietly?'"
H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
Believe
Berenice's shoulders fell. Bloody mooks.
"They couldn't leave anything?" The albino almost whined, "Not even some flash bombs?"
The be perfectly honest, Berenice wasn't fond of the idea of "subtle".
"Fine.... we'll do things the Master's way." She straightened up and sighed, "Just use whatever you usually carry with you and we'll get into the icecream van... I forget, do we have anything less conspicious?"
"You've got your transmission and your live wire, but your circuit's dead." - Media
A drop of sweat slithered down the back of Gemma's neck, and she gave Berenice an incredulous look that the albino maid probably couldn't see. "Well... it's dark now, and Spyhold's right down the street. We could just walk... right?"
For some reason, it just felt wrong that she should be the voice of reason in this situation; frantically, Gemma wracked her brain for a reason why simply walking might not have occurred to Berenice. "Ah, but then if we needed to make a quick getaway, we'd be stuck, yeah? Hmm..."
Gemma's ears flattened under her hood as she thought long and hard about the other options. "Um... some of the mooks joined the village cycling club, we have some bicycles in the garage?" she noted hesitantly.
edited 2nd Feb '12 9:42:49 PM by Alhazred23
H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
Believe
Berenice wished that she could fault Gemma's reasoning. But she couldn't.
What is with me right now? The albino resisted the urge to facepalm at herself, I wasn't this... ditzy this morning.
Blood loss and no food? That little voice of reason lazily replied. Myabe that was some part of it... and the fact that she wanted to play with explosives.
Berenice sighed. Maybe she'd try to get in a chat with Gemma later to let her know that she was a little out of whack - if she hadn't figured it out already.
"The bicycles are a good idea." The albino nodded, "Let's go get those and then get going."
"You've got your transmission and your live wire, but your circuit's dead." - Media
Hearing about the lack of (incendiary) resources, Karina started replying with enthusiasm, "Moloto...", before realizing the full consequences of her suggestion and backing out.
Apparently, she might desperately tried to be useful, but it was akin to common sense that you don't give (not even makeshift) dangerous toys to someone whose eyes lit up the way Berenice's do at the mention of explosives.
Later, when her colleagues discussed ways of transportation.
Her mood visibly improved at the mention of bicycles. Maybe, it was something to do with both hands.
edited 3rd Feb '12 3:07:40 AM by dragonfi
Karina: F:18 S:0/20 Evelyn: F:11 S:6/40 "Evelyn is adorably crazy." — compliment by Vampiric One
In the garage behind the Icecream Truck the maids found ten mostly servicable street bikes. All of them were obviously second-hand, with visible wear around the hand grips and patches of rust on the frames, but none looked too neglected to ride.
As Karina had so sincerely hoped, Gemma finally relased her when they went to pick out bikes. Her elation was short lived, however, for as soon as she'd mounted she felt a hand on her shoulder as Gemma plopped down on the rack mounted above her rear tire, ginning innocently.
H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
Karina was more than happy that the clingy catgirl released the grip on her hand. Her euphoria didn't last long though. Mere moments later, she had to acknowledge Gemma's presence behind her, and her (metaphorical or real) claws on her shoulder, with a weary sigh.
Despite all this, getting the hang of all the weirdness, she managed to mask her uneasiness better this time, while sending the now well-practiced expectant gaze towards Berenice.
edited 5th Feb '12 10:10:19 AM by dragonfi
Karina: F:18 S:0/20 Evelyn: F:11 S:6/40 "Evelyn is adorably crazy." — compliment by Vampiric One
Believe
Berenice shook her head at Jail Bait's antics, briefly wondering if her mannerisms would change as she got older. Probably not.
"All set?" Climbing onto one of the bikes, gestured for the girls to follow her, "Okay, let's get going - we still have to hide these things when we get there."
"You've got your transmission and your live wire, but your circuit's dead." - Media
A light sprinkling of rain was starting to fall as the maids set out for Spyhold. Berenice rode slightly ahead while Gemma picked up the rear, standing on the back axle of Karina's bike and holding the vampire's shoulders as they cruised down the darkened street.
It might not have been ideal for the two maids with night vision to be following the one maid without, but a flickering light in the street ahead of them pierced the gloom sufficiently that Berenice didn't crash into anything. As they drew closer the light resolved itself not as a streetlamp, but rather a burning car smashed into a streetlamp.
A sign for 'Dave's Pizza' sat prominently atop the merrily burning economy car, and huddled around it in a large circle were a rather familiar-looking crowd of vagrants. The cultists were passing pizza boxes around and occasionally offering muttered praises to the Sustenance Bringer, for again providing for them in their hour of need.
edited 9th Feb '12 11:55:26 AM by Alhazred23
H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
Karina sighed wearily when she recognized the cultists. Then, after a few seconds, a concerned and remorseful expression came to her face. And, it was me who opened that box.
Getting closer, it became obvious that there was no easy way to cycle around the car, so — to Berenice's order — the maids dismounted and approached the car on foot, pulling their bikes by the handle.
Approaching the cultists, Karina quickly produced a Smoldering Torch of Truth, taking a long puff from it.
Meeting their companion's expectant gaze — not to mention the much more awed, yet still expectant gaze of the cultists — Karina reluctantly, and with a bit of stage fright, started to speak.
"We meet again, the Torch of Truth have led us to you," — raising her ciggy in the air — " faithful ... faith ... havers." — She quickly frowned on her lame choice of words, before continuing.
"What have you witnessed in this place, that I only see the climactic outcome? What came to this chariot of sustenance, that it can no longer fly?" — Another frown. Fly? It's a car...
Hearing a loud growl from the direction of Berenice's stomach steered Karina's speech in a different direction. However uncanny, they might capitalize on the situation.
"Who will be the chosen who present the ... finest of the chariot's ... ehm ... sustenance to ... the council?" — After a pause, she motioned towards herself and her companions, as to say, we are the council.
After she finished, she slumped back a little. Walking back to her comrades, it became obvious — even to Berenice, who lacked proper night-vision — how tiring was for Karina to be in the center of attention. She wasn't really a pubic speaker, to say the least. Still, having her own minions felt sort of cool, and that offset her mood a little.
edited 13th Feb '12 11:54:33 AM by dragonfi
Karina: F:18 S:0/20 Evelyn: F:11 S:6/40 "Evelyn is adorably crazy." — compliment by Vampiric One
Believe
Berenice slowed down as she saw the wreakage in from of her and the odd band of people around it.
"Huh... I had forgotten about them." Berenice groaned a little as eh dismounted her bike, "Girls, off."
Berenice blushed as her stomach interrupted Karina's speech, and blushed again as she got the cultists to give them food. That girl was a godsend.
She managed to get a few slices down, not in the most ladylike manner possible, when people started rousing from the houses.
"Not good." The albino pulled out another piece, "Karina, can you get the guys to be distractig a little further down the road - the less attention near Danny-boy's house the better."
"You've got your transmission and your live wire, but your circuit's dead." - Media
Gemma waved off a pizza box that was thrust in her direction, pulling her cloak close around her shoulders and eyeing the cultists with a hint of annoyance. I guess that explains what happened to the food, she mused to herself, tapping her chin. Oh well - at least we didn't have to pay for it...
Meanwhile, Karina's order to 'distribute' their spoils seemed to have reignited the missionary urge within the milling band. All around them the gaunt vagrants were muttering to themselves and gathering the remaining pizza, standing and holding the flimsy cardboard boxes aloft like sacred altars.
Those who did not have holy sustenance to convey instead picked up various burnable objects and proceeded to light from the bonfire of the pizza delivery car, surrounding the pizza bearers like an honor guard. Then, as one, they turned to the vampiress and waited expectantly.
edited 13th Feb '12 9:21:30 PM by Alhazred23
H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
The situation weighted heavily on Karina. Hearing Berenice's request, she replied with an uneasy smile, then proceeded to fetch a new 'torch'.
Turning towards the cultists, she inhaled from her cigarette, then let out a long sigh.
"Listen, people. While we spread the litanies of sustenance further up this ... land, we ignored the threat of ... ignorance ... down the road." — While speaking she widely gestured first towards the Jobsem estate, then away from it, where she suspected 'down the road' to be according to Berenice's request.
"Now this is not a big failure, since we done great up there, but you must now show the rest of the heathens what they are missing out on."
Probably due to her weariness, Karina's speech lost some of it's earlier drive, still it appeared to be enough, judging by the mob's reaction.
Considering her work finished, she instinctively hurried back to the safety that Berenice's presence provided. Of course, right now, that meant putting up with Gemma's proximity too, but it was still a desirable place to be.
Karina: F:18 S:0/20 Evelyn: F:11 S:6/40 "Evelyn is adorably crazy." — compliment by Vampiric One
The street quieted quickly as the cultists began shuffling away, but the maids still had to get past the burning car and into the deep shadows of the walls surrounding the Jobsem estate before they were able to breathe easily again. After hiding their bikes behind a tall hedge, the girls were able to creep up to the section of wall that they'd climbed over before.
"Alright... this may be a little different in the dark, Bennie," Gemma's voice explained, her luminous silver eyes flickering over to look at Berenice and then up at the wall. "You won't be able to see the ground or the edge very well, so one of us should probably go over first to help you down." Gemma's gaze then moved down to the side, where Berenice could see a pair of red glints in the shadow; judging from their positioning, she was probably resting her chin on Karina's shoulder.
H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
Seated on top of the side wall (Would this be the east or west side?) that encompasses the walls surrounding Drolphy Mansion, what looks like a maid, albeit slightly translucent in appearance, watches the burning wreck through violet-colored eyes. Her white hair is done up in ringlets along each side; and her dark blue uniform, although similar to what the other maids at Drolphy are wearing and is in great condition, looks like could've been more fashionable 25 to 30 years ago. A slightly below average build for the age she was makes the young woman appear more to be in her early teens. I hope this racket lets up soon. It's been like this since early afternoon, she thinks as she momentarily glances down toward an old, boarded off well in the middle of the side garden with a small, moss-covered sign beside it. As she looks back at the scene of the wreck, she notices a trio of what appeared to be maids, two of them on one bicycle and one on another, approaching it from the direction of the Mansion, standing around it for a few minutes, and then moving on in the direction they were initially going.
Who could they be? the young woman thinks of the trio as she starts to slide down the outer side of the wall... only to slip off and drop into the outer brush, hind end first. "That was terrible," she painfully thinks aloud as she pulls herself out of the brush "For what I am now, I can't seem to get it right every time." Barely catching sight of the last of the trio rounding the corner, she decides to follow them.
When she catches up to the trio at a wall to another mansion, the young woman barely notices in the dark the similarities in two of their maid uniforms to her own, even though their designs are more recent. The third appeared to be wearing... a cloak? "Excuse me?" the ghostly maid asks in a calm tone, hopefully to not surprise the trio too badly. "Are you maids of Drolphy Mansion?"
TMINE:(T=F:17,S:0/10);(J=F:6,S:4/20)
Believe
Berenice was faced with two pairs of glints in the darkness. Gemma was right – the girl had a nasty habit of being right when she wasn’t being cheeky... or both. Normally she didn’t mind this, but she wasn’t exactly happy with needing so much help now. As for who would be going over first, while Karina was a nice girl she didn’t want to put any more pressure on her – she was already visibly nervous about the cultists: she’d done well for now. Gemma was also a good choice because, well, she was good at being sneaky and would probably make minimal disturbance in her entrance. The albino would just have to brave the hands. “Okay, Jail Bait –”
A voice disrupted her sentence, causing her to abruptly turn around. While the dark was a problem for her to see most everything else, the person who stood before her was... strangely clear. White pigtails, dark eyes, and a maid uniform similar to her own... and transparent... yet visible.
“Who wants to know?” Berenice asked coolly. She had seen enough in her time with the Master to know what this was. A ghost.
"You've got your transmission and your live wire, but your circuit's dead." - Media
By the time Berenice started her reply, Karina was already in the process of climbing the wall.
It was unexpected that the vampiress took the initiative. Maybe it was one of her ways to cope, finding solace in the simple physical exercise. After all, it's just you and the wall. A wall is easy to predict, a wall won't judge you. You either succeed or you fail and try again. It only depends on you, not on the deranged thought-processes of some strange cultist, or chessmaster...
That being said, she barely had time to touch the hard plaster before the unexpected question came, delivered by the unfamiliar voice. It was not hard to locate the source, it apparently came from a girl right behind Berenice.
Karina couldn't really put a touch on what felt odd about her. Was it the white hair and older style of clothing? Or the subtle feeling that her appearance didn't play by the usual rules of lighting? Or the slight translucency, just on the border of perception? Almost like a hallucination or ... a ghost. Ghost-like at the least.
edited 16th Feb '12 2:25:02 PM by dragonfi
Karina: F:18 S:0/20 Evelyn: F:11 S:6/40 "Evelyn is adorably crazy." — compliment by Vampiric One
When Karina started moving out of her grasp to climb the wall Gemma backed up and stooped down, getting in postion to give the vampiress a 'helping hand.' Given the view she was about to get, it was a pity that her phone didn't have night vision optics like her regular camera, but at least she'd be able to sneak a feel.
Twice, too! Lucky! She was sure Berenice would send her over the wall first, but Karina volunteering worked out perfectly, since she'd be able to 'help' them both!
Gemma turned away to hide her huge grin from the girl in the bondage exoskeleton, so she flinched slightly in surprise when a unfamiliar voice intruded on their preparations. Creeping over on all fours, the catgirl peered around Berenice's skirt at the strangely luminescent girl. Ah - another dead one, she noted in mild disappointment; as cute as Karina was, Gemma preferred a bit of body heat in her prey.
H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S
"Ah!" The ghostly young woman instinctively steps back. Instead of startling the other maids, she is startled herself when the maid closest to her quickly turns to face her and insists to know who she is. The dim lighting of the night, reflecting off the spikes attached to the uniform, yields a faint yet intimidating gleam as its wearer stands firm, clearly wanting an answer. "I-I'm sorry," she nervously says as she struggles to regain her composure. "I should've introduced myself first."
Quickly glancing at the other two, one very pale with fangs and a suggestive-looking frame overlapping her uniform and the other in a cloak exhibiting behavior similar to a cat, the young woman finally stands at attention for her introduction to the trio.
"I'm Jessie," the young woman says, performing a slight curtsy before returning to attention. "I was... er, am a maid at Drolphy. I... usually tend the garden in the evenings."
TMINE:(T=F:17,S:0/10);(J=F:6,S:4/20)
Karina eyed the night apparition with a blend of surprise and curiosity. It was one thing that the vampiress didn't consider that the manor might have had other maids apart from those she already met. It was another entirely that apparently, Berenice didn't knew about her alleged ghostly co-worker.
edited 18th Feb '12 1:46:05 AM by dragonfi
Karina: F:18 S:0/20 Evelyn: F:11 S:6/40 "Evelyn is adorably crazy." — compliment by Vampiric One
Believe
Berenice had barely finished speaking to the ghost girl when Karina had already tackled the wall - to be honest she was somewhat surprised at the initiative. She was not so surprised at Gemma's eagerness to "help". However, those weren't her concern right now.
Berenice looked the ghost girl over - her uniform really was very similar in design to her own (sans the spikes) so it was easy to beleive that she was a former maid. The albino just had to remember if she had heard of her. After all, the Master had had many maids before her - he was, by comparison, old.
Jessie. Garden. Jessie. Garden. Jessie. Garden. Jess-
"... you wouldn't happen to be the same Jessie who the Master had failed to warn about the the gentically modified Venus Flytraps?" The albino winced slightly as she awaited the answer.
Insert answer?
"I'm Berenice." The maid curtsied slightly, "The cat girl is Gemma, and the vampire is Karina."
"You've got your transmission and your live wire, but your circuit's dead." - Media
Karina flinched a little at the mention of the carnivorous plants, and their probable link to Jesse's current situation. Devoured and digested alive by a plant didn't sounded like a pleasant thing, to say the least.
Hearing her name, she nodded slightly, while absent-mindedly still keeping her hand on the wall.
"So, you are a ghost then?" — She asked. Her question was met with several pair of eyes, each displaying various emotions.
"Wha... What did I do wrong?" — She unconsciously backed up to the wall. — "I never met one, before."
Her palm, almost automatically, searching for good grip on the smooth and predictable surface of the wall.
Note that Karina is overreacting the situation a bit, it can be as mundane and non-offensive as "She is a bit slow, but in a cute way" or more judgemental as "How blunt". Poor girl is trough a lot.
edited 18th Feb '12 2:38:17 AM by dragonfi
Karina: F:18 S:0/20 Evelyn: F:11 S:6/40 "Evelyn is adorably crazy." — compliment by Vampiric One
Normally making the round in the manor involved checking up on the guards positioned discretely around the property. With most of the mooks on a red-eye to France, Berence, Gemma and Karina had to inspect each hallway, door and window with deliberate care and make sure that all of them were registering properly on the security system, which was incidentally monitored by the mook chained to The Turk in the ballroom broom closet.
All told, this took the three of them nearly an hour and a half. It was just past eight-thirty in the evening when the maids could finally say that they'd thoroughly inspected the manor's defenses and were confident that they would keep until they got back from their nighttime raid of the Jobsem estate. By their reckoning, the time lock on the basement safe would open at 10:00 PM, so they had an hour and a half yet to infiltrate Spyhold and get into position.
H:44F(8/30)S|G:19F(0/10)S