Another Shade of the World - An Urban Fantasy Tale

Volwick city.

The time of the day is morning... when some of its souls rise from slumber to begin a new day and others retreat back to their dwellings to court a diurnal sleep.

By mere appearances, this city is as common as they go. Completely ordinary without much big attractions to it. A gathering of souls trying to carve their lives on this shared ground and make the best of it.

Mayor Janet Phillips, a Democrat by heart, labors in city hall, balancing budgets and her time to make it to numerous events and her young daughter's play at 1 o clock. Catholic Father Christopher Armas opens the doors to his Church in the Mid South of town, welcoming the earliest comers of his flock to the house of the Lord. A woman leaves a club where she works in a fit of giggles, more than a bit tipsy as she squints her eyes against the rising sun and then hums a merry tune on her way home. A highschool class is filled with yawns and the sound of people texting under their desks as the most boring and oblivious math teacher in town. The local crime syndicate buries a man near the river, one who didn't deserve what happened to it and at the same time invited such fate upon himself.

And yet, just beneath the surface there lurks a hidden world, going through its motions in sync with the life at plain sight. A troll living under one of the town's bridges raises from its hiding place in the mud and muck... snatching the sleeping form of the most unfortunate in town to be resting in such a place for breakfast. A wealthy vampire socialite retires to her underground chambers to sleep away the day under the close guard of her thralls. A novice seer haunted by sights of a terrible future wanders the streets half mad, warning everyone of a grievous end while getting nothing but scorn and pity for it. An ancient omyouji monk in his grand Japanese style state tends to his garden while reciting mantras under his breath. And so on, thousands of spirits... some beneficial and some maleficent wander the streets, bestowing luck, ill fortune, reassurance and nightmares upon the lives inhabiting Volwick.

It is not the grandest of places, this city... but lurking just under the surface there is wonder and adventure if you know where to look for.

Laoch "Weird" O'Connell was not having a good day, he looked up, grimacing at the weather, he really preferred rain. He put in his earphones, humming along to the music as he walked down the street, looking at his phone,ignoring the distasteful looks that the people/things that looked like people but really weren't, were giving him. he decided that it wasn't too early to get a beer, especially since the case about the missing children was becoming a pain in the ass, hell, if that voodoo guy was at the Catspaw, he could help out.

edited 23rd Nov '13 6:46:07 PM by TroyandHawk

It was math class around now, wasn't it?

Reiko could honestly care less. Yeah, yeah, she was still in high school. Yeah, sure, she at least attended when she was back home in Tokyo. But here? Who gave a damn? She wasn't a real student, why the hell should she bother attending? She had work from school when she got home, which was enough of a pain without having to work while she was here. Her time in America was always a time for something else. Namely, not wasting time on schoolwork that didn't matter.

The Japanese girl adjusted her sweatjacket with one hand as she headed down the sidewalk. So, she had time to blow for a few hours... Her relatives didn't like her skipping school. She understood and firmly disagreed, American school could matter less to her after all. In her right hand, she held a silver suitcase. After all, walking around with her bat on display would probably get people kind of suspicious, which Reiko didn't want.

Shoving her free hand in one jacket pocket, she continued down the sidewalk. Were her fellow gang members out on the town too? She didn't know for sure, for once. She hadn't really gotten a chance to talk to Alexis about it and all, even though her leader did know she didn't give a damn about American high school.

As Reiko headed down the sidewalk, she couldn't help but contemplate what she'd do today. She wasn't entirely sure at the moment.

With an hour and a half before the start of his classes, Jan Lehrer had a fondness for spending that time at Volwick U in the library. Being a nicely populated university for its size and location in one of the most isolated cities in California, there was always a nice flow of students by the time he arrived, most stopping briefly at the coffee shop across the street for a caffeine rush.

Jan never needed to stop by himself save for a stark few times he thought it best - weaving through some light foot traffic on a cycle to get there usually meant he was as alert as he needed to be. On this particular day, he had arrived wearing a collared shirt, buttoned up save for at the top, tucked into khaki pants with a dark brown belt and dark leather loafers. Upon entering the establishment and quietly greeting the receptionist - met with a familiar smile, like they were old friends - he set about gathering the reading material he needed for the day. His schedule was light in terms of tutoring sessions but quite a few were at crucial times for the client, so Jan felt it best to make himself fully prepared well before hand.

With this goal firmly rooted in his mind, Jan emerged from the bookshelves with a stack of about a half-dozen texts in one hand, a bag resembling a briefcase in the other, setting both down at a table as he sat down, checking his watch. Putting the bag at the side of his chair, he then took the first textbook off the stack, brought himself to the appropriate section and began to read quietly.

There was one man, one very pale man with a widow's peak who looked like an offensive Vampire stereotype, jabbering onto a phone, dressed like your average Volwick businessman. He had business matters to attend to. A very old, very sharp, very legitimate longsword hung from his hip. Fully licensed, of course.

"Is ze job done?!" He asked into the phone, gesticulating wildly. "I know zat it's not my job, since ze previous verk to get you your verk vas my part of zis whole act, but I vanted to check on ze follovup, make sure nussink could be traced back to me!" He nodded again. "Ah. Right. Concrete conglomerate. Ze vanders of modern technology! Have a nice day!" He leaned into his phone, suddenly getting all spooky and dramatic. "Ze night, zo, I cannot say! Aaaahahahahaaa!" He wished it was raining so that there'd be a dramatic thundercrack at that last part. As it stood, the best he could do was hang up then and there and drop the phone in his pocket. Wouldn't do to have his phone out at the good old Volwick Public Library.

Not that it'd be a long trip, he just dropped in to put out a classified ad on that mystical website, the "list," kept by a man known only as Craig:

Wanted: vampires. Real thing only, fakes need not apply. valdzavv@gmail.com.

Vlad posted it and headed out of the library. Next stop: the Catspaw. Being out of doors during the day was dangerous; he was totally human in the sunlight, vulnerable to getting taken out by any number of gangs he may or may not have pissed off with any number of hits he may or may not have perpetrated recently. They probably wouldn't get the stake method, but it would be painful and tedious to have to regenerate from any of the more severe beatings they meted out.

"One Mega Macho Nacho Carnitas Breakfast Burrito with with extra pico de gallo, my friend," Manuel said as he handed a customer a burrito through the pickup window. Breakfast was the second most profitable time of the day, and he couldn't afford to miss it. That meant that he had already spent hours of his day on prep work so that he could handle things right now. He'd have to drive back to 'base' and restock later, before lunchtime, so he could hold off an entire wave of hungry workers and students when that critical hour came. He had been thinking about hiring someone for a long time, but he never really met the right person, and he wasn't so sure he'd be a good teacher or boss. Plus they'd have to be someone he could tolerate for ten hours a day.

Taking a breath, he flipped the chorizo and eggs that were cooking for the next order, and while he left those to finish, he turned back to the order window so he could get started on seeing what the next customer wanted.

edited 23rd Nov '13 8:55:00 PM by nman

Weird trudged down the street coming to the bridge over the rive, he reached under his xoat to the M1911 pistol holstered at his belt. After the troll case he had gotten paranoid of bridges, especially one like that, He started walking down the bridge, trying to remember how much money he had gotten from the Dwarf, One twenty five? ne fifty?

Daniel walked out of the supermarket early that morning carrying a full grocery bag of garlic rice. Why did he buy nothing but garlic rice? Because he was going to meet a vampire today with a job offer and wanted very much to not die. Why did he want to go meet a vampire if he knew some processed gimmick rice was the only thing that could potentially stand between him and a long, painful exsanguination? Well, that was a far more interesting story. Suffice to say he wouldn't be doing this if he didn't feel like it was his absolute last option.

He sighed. "Just this once could it please be a sexy vampiress? I really wouldn't mind, even if she did try to kill me." Which, he reminded himself, she probably would. The curse of being born with irresistible good looks and charm. At least to monsters anyway. But if he didn't try this he'd have to go into werewolf territory next, and he really didn't like that idea. Besides, vampires were supposed to be more reasonable than a lot of monsters. Maybe there'd be some talking to this one.

The Catspaw was, as always, open for business even this early; down in the close, cozy quarters of the bar, with a gentle haze of woodsmoke hanging in the rafters and the rich, wheaty scent of beer cured into the oaken bar and tabletops, there was a sort of timeless feeling to the air, an air which was aided by the complete lack of windows. All carefully calculated by the owner, of course, to keep patrons buying drinks... though as it turned out, those particular patrons who were a bit sensitive to the morning sun appreciated it, as well. This was Catspaw, an old, old establishment - more a tavern than a bar, for those who appreciated the difference. Aside from the heavy bar, which was backed by an impressive variety of spirits, many natural and a select few something more, the close, smoky room held a number of sturdy tables, long since polished to a smooth finish by hundreds of elbows and countless spills. Some of these were occupied by faded forms hunched morosely over their beers, content to sip alone in the murky, low light and avoid facing the outside world.

Behind the bar, Lihtu kept a murky green eye on the patrons through the fringe of black hair over her face. Things always got slow around this time, after the diurnal patrons stumbled back to their homes or caves or bridges to sleep it off but before the nocturnal ones braved the harsh sun to take refuge in the comfortingly warded tavern. There wasn't all that much to do, so the basilisk amused herself by filling glasses with water from the tap and flicking them with her long, hard fingernails, making a quiet, clear melody ring out from the glass. There would be more patrons in soon enough.

He’s flying. Through green, verdant sky, amidst a flock of dark seagulls. Feeling a serenity he has never felt before, in this life or the former one. Suddenly- the sound of cicadas reverberate throughout the world, ominous omen of things to come.

Suddenly, and without any warning, he’s pulled by his waist at an incredible speed down, down, down, towards the ground, ground, ground. He wanted to scream, but he couldn’t – every noise are drowned by the cry of cicadas. Moving far beyond terminal velocity, yet keenly aware of all happenings.

The sun burning, blistering his back, and nauseatingly sweet air combined with a flowery fragrance choking him. Falling, ever falling, passing, ever passing, bloody, iron-scented clouds and jagged steel mountains.

Yet, even in a place where there are no time, there comes an end. Cometing pass benevolent goddess and macabre monster, he found himself in a direct collision course with a great lake, stretching far beyond sight.

And, without thought, he knew. That, this is it. Finally.

Arms spread-eagled, as if to embrace the whole world, he falls to meet his fate.

…..

…

.

His fate, it’s pretty wet. And claustrophobic. Smells like someone marinated a sock in a steamy pile of moose dung, then gently let it rot for a couple centuries. Seriously.

What the hell?

You know, if it’s heaven, there should be some buxom angel harping a grandiose choir about him right now, or if it’s hell… Well, can’t win them all, after all.

Struggling a bit, he was thrown clear –rather, catapulted- out of a troll’s mouth right into a wall a few feet away from a certain heavily-armed occult detective.

Landing with a thud and choice expletives, he yelled back at his roommate. (under-the-bridge-mate doesn’t really rolls off the tongue.)

“What the hell, Ralphie? We had a deal. I’ll teach you the wonders of modern taxation system, fulfills your dream of being a bridge troll tolling bridges, and you don’t make me your bloody Kellog.

...Goddamn, and I was so sure I got the whole "guttural growl-cum-shriek" right, too."

Weird just stopped, staring dumb-founded at the man who had just been thrown over the bridges, he took off his red tinted sunglasses making sure there really was a guy lying on the sidewalk. He leaned over the bridge, turning to the man, "Okay, when the man started shouting, Weird shook his head. "I Need a Freaking Drink." And he started to walk past the man.

edited 24th Nov '13 1:49:51 AM by TroyandHawk

Grumpy after the rude awakening, he snaps distractedly, rambling on.

“Trouble in paradise. My buddy -that troll down there, named him Ralph – you know, after that pudgy “special” kid in that cartoon TV shows that necromantize themselves for countless season. Christened him such myself, baptizing him in mud, septic waste and what I’m pretty sure is radioactive. Can’t get good company, these days.

You hear me, Ralphie!? That is the last time you’re gonna snack on me like that. We’re through, and your doeful-eyed pleadings won’t do a thing.

Later never, once buddy.”

Turning fully, Marcus regards the PI – and recoils back with a gasp.

“Ahhhh! A-aren’t you that guy, um, whatherface… the gal I hired several months back warned me about you.

The cold-blooded murdering overarmed private –allegedly public, as well- dick with a W…

Uh, Wight? Wright? Widower? Please don’t kill me, eat my liver, defile my purity and turn my eyeballs into a necklace!

I need those! For seeing!”

Weird turned, Shit. he recognized him. to the man, looking him up and down. "You can and should avoid me at all costs." He looked at him as he begged, the detective was silent. "Actually, I have two questions. One, what the hell are you on? And two, where can I get it?"

edited 24th Nov '13 2:23:28 AM by TroyandHawk

Uncomprehending, he answers.

"I'm, uh, on the ground? Oh. You mean, like drugs and craps? No, I'm not on anything. Went to D.A.R.E. once, you know. Well, maybe I had some Authentic Fey Brew™, but only a couple of sips."

"...Hey, come to think of it, aren't you some bigshot detective? With -infamous- reputation and stuff?"

Looking resolved, a flame of determination enters the young man's eyes, dissipating any traces of slumber.

"You on a job?"

Weird looked down at him. "Yeah. I'm that one guy. And yes I am. You gotta case?"

Keeping his face carefully neutral, he replies.

"I do. But, it requires a certain ...subtlety.

Let me help you with whatever you're doing right now, and maybe I'll tell you more.

That is, if you're interested, Mr. Gumshoe."

Growl.

"I'm working on it!" Makoto sighed to her rumbling stomach. Jeez, she couldn't help it that food was hard to come by here. Why were all those tasty things left out in the open if no one was supposed to take them? Did anyone not know how hunting worked? It wasn't like dinner was clearly labeled for anyone, so it just wasn't fair that those cake things and the juicy-looking meat had dibs called on them by the humans.

Oh well, she'd probably be lavished with all the food she wanted when she inevitably saved the world from that catastrophe lying deep within her foggy memories. So she could bear a little hunger for just a while longer, right?

...

Throwing herself onto her knees at the first person she saw, Makoto clasped her hands and stared at the black-haired girl with the suitcase pleadingly, "Miss Lady! Please tell me you've got spare food?! I haven't eaten in seven whole hours! I'm dying very hungrily!"

"... Eh...?"

Reiko's first act when she saw the random girl hurling herself at her was to swiftly swing her briefcase forward so that she wouldn't be tackled. It was almost an instinctual act, and it took a moment for the black-haired girl to realize that the girl had just thrown herself at Reiko's feet. Lowering her briefcase, she stared down at the other girl quizzically. What the hell was with her? Complaining about food at her feet like that?

"Oi, what's up with you?" Reiko asked, raising an eyebrow and lowering her briefcase to the side. "Why are you just asking random people on the street about food? Why would I just be carrying food around with me? Just go eat somewhere."

"I'm hungry!" Makoto helpfully informed the girl, "And if I could eat anywhere, I wouldn't be so hungry!"

Now on her feet, the disguised fox pointing in a random direction, "There was some place advertising sweet things the other day! They said I couldn't have any, even though it was just lying there!"

With another growl from her stomach punctuating her current predicament, Makoto continued, "So, um... pretty please? You've gotta have something!"

What was with this clueless weirdo? What was her problem? Reiko sighed. Did she not know how candy shops worked? How could someone be that dumb? Whatever, she would set this food-obsessed weirdo straight and then she'd be on their way. "You need to buy stuff usually, you know. You know what money is, right? Anyway, if you're so hungry just go eat at a restaurant or something. I don't have food."

Was this girl such a glutton that she just assumed everyone had food on them all the time? It seemed like it, really. And just asking a random girl on the street if she has food... what a weirdo. Reiko didn't feel like dealing with this at all, to say the least. She wasn't there to help perfectly functioning, if very strange, people find food.

Laoch looked at him. "One, I don't come cheap, so this is going to cost you. Two, this isn't the place. I need a goddamn drink. Come with me." He started to walk towards the Catspaw

It wouldn't pass too long for Vlad's add on a certain website to be answered by a few hardcore members of what he would consider the 'fake' vampire community. On the flipside, their manner of speak and general expression should be quite pleasing to the old dramatic vampire.

"Hey, you" would soon call a rough gravely voice to Daniel. Should they pause from walking with their garlic rice for a moment, they would see that from a nearby ally a tall imposing figure stood... clad almost entirely in heavy clothes that didn't really agree with the warm weather. This person had their arms crossed before their chest with hands nearly the size of plates of a tan color... with a speck of grey in them. They were wearing a hood that hid most of their face in darkness, though their ice blue eyes seemed to pierce such gloom to be clearly visible "I've heard of your plight" he said, quite plainly and dryly.

edited 24th Nov '13 3:03:54 PM by daltar

Vlad opened the door and raised his arms triumphantly, laughing as he felt his vampiric powers returning to him as he closed the door behind him. "Hello my friends!" Oh. Wait. Right, right, the bar was mostly empty around this time. Oh well.

He settled at a chair in front of the bar with enough force to rock a little and nodded to Lihtu. "Ah, yes, hello Lihtu! How are you this morning! I'll have a, ah, Bloody Mary, aaaahahahahaaa!" He grinned, letting his fangs show briefly. "Catspaw is always a fine place to lay low for an hour or two! I just need to deal with a few business inquiries, if you'll excuse such breach of decorum. I hope you don't mind having some extra guests during downtime, but a public place such as the Catspaw ensures no enterprising Slayers aren't coming for me." He leaned forward and tried for a warm smile. "You understand, don'y you?"

Vlad then went to work on his phone, answering the emails. Excellent, it appeared there were truly people of the Old World still in the New World!

Hello, fellow members of the blood! It warms my still heart to know there are kin within the city! The reason I have called you forth is simple: I wish to make a play to move up in my position on a particular ladder. Verbal communication is the only way I would be fully assured of total confidentiality, though. If you are truly of the blood, and if you are truly interested in creating a VAMPIRIC RENAISSANCE, you will meet me at the Catspaw ASAP. Again, if you are simply a FAKE, do not bother to show yourself. I will be at the bar, wearing a nice suit.

edited 24th Nov '13 9:34:22 PM by Taco

Alexis Mallory

What class was she supposed to be in right now? Alexis honestly couldn't remember... Not that she really cared. She honestly believed that she'd learned far more on the streets than she'd ever learned sitting in a stuffy old classroom. And besides, it was more fun hanging out with her friends all the time like this, to hell with where they were supposed to be.

The gang was down one member this morning, however. Reiko hadn't shown up at the old meeting place, but she had said something about going to the museum (for... Some reason) today, so it didn't worry Alexis too much. Still, she thought it was a good idea to keep the gang within walking distance of the museum just in c-

"Boss, I'm hungry!" moaned one of the gang members, a rather portly boy with a mohawk.

"You're always hungry, Meat! That's why you're such a fat bastard!" The entire gang, including Meat, burst into laughter. Hey, it was perfectly fine if they insulted each other. They were friends, after all, and it was all in good fun.

"...But, like, seriously?" A brunette with far too many piercings chipped in once the laughter had died down. "Like, I am totally starving! Come on, Boss, let's, like... That gnarly looking van over there, like, totally smells tastastic!"

With that, Alexis was beset by pleas to visit the food van, which she quickly gave in to. She was pretty hungry too, after all. And so the motley crew marched over to the Macho Nacho. Of course, Alexis had vaguely heard about the guy who owned it... She knew that magic folk always seemed to make the best food, after all, and she'd heard that if you wanted Mexican the little van was the best place in all Volwick to get it. Her gang didn't need to know that the guy behind the counter was a chupacabra, of course...

"Yo, what's up?" Alexis grinned as she leaned over the counter, the other six members of her gang looming behind her. Not menacingly, of course, as despite their rough and tough looks it was clear that hunger was more on their minds than delinquency right now. "Me and my buddies are pretty starving! Any chance of getting seven chimichangas? Goat, if you have any left... Man, I've always wanted to try goat!"

edited 24th Nov '13 6:14:52 PM by Moerin

Lihtu glanced up at Vlad as the vampire settled down at the bar, already reaching for the vodka before he made his order. "Slayers pay money just like you," she reminded him dryly, setting a glass down and pouring the clear alcohol in. "No fights, no problems." It usually wasn't a problem, either; most people, supernatural or otherwise, didn't come to the tavern looking for a fight. While some grumbled about one side or the other taking up space, it never got beyond grumbling before the bouncers saw them on their way. "Type?" She looked up at Vlad, addressing a point a foot or so to the left of his face as she reached into a small cooling unit beneath the bar.