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[angryyoungvamp]

Still never going to get used to not having to get used to this thing.

Okay, so. I think I've got a little more handle on how this city works. Thanks to everybody who helped me get my feet on the ground. I never thought I'd be glad for Metatropolis being weird sh... stuff central, but it makes adjusting go faster.

[He knows this place drags kids here, or at least teenagers. Self-censoring is go.]

Though I've got to say, the coffin and garlic jokes just because I'm used to the night shift wear a little thin. I can't be the only guy here who usually gets up when the sun goes down, can I? Anybody else get that feeling?

[This is his attempt at being subtle about saying "where my Kindred at, yo?" Because he's not used to coming to a new city without actual introductions and contacts and things. As much as he hates his clan's organization sometimes, it makes knowing who's in on things much easier. Not like he can ask normal people where he can get blood at this time of night.]

Oh, by the way. Guess I should introduce myself if anyone cares. I'm Maugris, I'm new here. I know about weird occult or paranormal things, so if you need help with that stuff, let me know - just know that I'm usually asleep during the day.

Comments

[angryyoungvamp]

Probably. I've tried the whole leader thing and it's honestly just a pain in the neck, and I was only trying to organize like twelve people.

No, I mean, uh... Okay, like Scorpio, the scorpion. It's got nothing to do with stinging people. Scorpios are supposed to be passionate and resourceful and kind of dramatic. I think Taurus means you're supposed to be dependable and generous and stubborn. They've all got good traits and bad traits and they don't necessarily match up with what you think about the actual constellation means. [He'll pass on saying what he thinks about her assessment of her personality.]

[phantom_envoy]

...Oh.

[A short pause.]

Well, why didn't anyone say so in the first place? I got the stubborn part - which is totally not true, by the way; I'm perfectly reasonable and open to good ideas as long as they're actually good - but the rest kind of escaped me.

I'll take dependable and generous.

So what're you supposed to be?

[angryyoungvamp]

Let's see, if I remember right I'm a Gemini. Which means I'm supposed to be energetic and clever, but superficial and kind of indecisive. It's only about half right. I don't know about energetic, and I don't think I'm superficial, but I like to think I'm clever and I know I'm indecisive.

As they say, "Indecision may or may not be my problem."

Okay, nobody actually says that except Jimmy Buffett.

[phantom_envoy]

Since I don't know who that is, you're free to steal it as your own. If you'd like, I can even go ahead and laugh uproariously.

[A very short pause.]

Oh, see - Generous. I guess it might be accurate after all.

I wouldn't peg you as superficial, if it helps. Our conversations are a lot more interesting than a few others I've had here.

[angryyoungvamp]

Oh, sorry. He's a 20th-century Earth musician. [And Maugris is actually kind of a parrothead.]

Thanks. I know I don't do the whole intrigue thing well, even when I try, but I at least try not to be superficial.

[phantom_envoy]

Don't worry. If I thought you were boring and shallow, I'd probably have told you by now.

[Phantom Girl doesn't seem to be the kind of person who spares people's feelings, anyway.]

That reminds me, though - made any efforts yet at unlocking your 'greater depths'? I mean your Persona, of course.

[angryyoungvamp]

Not yet - turns out not having a card means the cops give you trouble if you're out after midnight. I was planning on seeing what I could manage tonight now that I have one, though I'm meeting somebody for dinner first.

[Plus he's wondering if the monsters out there have blood. Preferably blood that won't totally screw him up.]

[phantom_envoy]

A dinner date already? Way to get 'em, Romeo.

[It appears certain aspects of Earth culture remain eternal regardless of how much time passes. Jimmy Buffett, sadly, wasn't one of them.]

I'd try the outskirts of Capricorn - you'll get a feel for which monsters stick around which places after a while, but you probably want to just go easy at the start.

[angryyoungvamp]

Not like that. Just a random making-friends thing.

[He's a bit sad Jimmy Buffett music didn't make it to the 31st century, but not that surprised.]

Hm, fair enough. Close enough that I can make a dash back into Pisces for the force fields if things get too hot. There aren't any werewolves in Capricorn, are there?

[phantom_envoy]

That's... an awfully specific question.

[She arches an eyebrow and decides it's probably inappropriate to mention that her love interest is more or less a werewolf.]

Not too fond of the whole feral howling at the moon thing, huh? Yeah, I could do without all the hair, too. But if there are werewolves in your world... they might show up eventually.

Haven't seen any here, though, if it helps.

[angryyoungvamp]

Just asking because werewolves in my world tend to hang around on the outskirts of cities, and I just have a kind of... strained relationship with them.

Is there some sort of limitation on what sort of creatures can show up? I mean, is there a certain point where something gets too smart to show up as a monster and starts getting recruited as a hero instead?

[Because oh God, WoD werewolves in this place...]

[phantom_envoy]

...You're really milking this whole vampire thing for all it's worth, huh?

But that's a pretty good assumption for someone who hasn't actually seen any monsters. I don't think there are any hard and fast rules about this kind of thing, but my guess? Werewolves wouldn't cut it, unless they're the mindless kind that just try to devour everything in sight.

I'm hoping yours are a little more intelligent than that.

[angryyoungvamp]

Wait, what? ... Oh. No, "strained" is actually pretty good for werewolves. Most of the lupines I've met don't really like anybody much. I was kind of proud of myself for having an extended meeting with a couple of them once that didn't end with us fighting each other.

Yeah, no, they're pretty much human-level all the time as far as I can tell. Bloodthirsty, but not animals. So probably not likely to show up as monsters here if that's likely. I was just going by the way you talked about them fixating on wreaking havoc.

[phantom_envoy]

Oh. Right. ...There's this other thing, too.

[Phantom Girl frowns for a moment or two.]

I haven't actually seen them, but apparently... mindless monsters aren't all we need to worry about. It sounds like there's a faction of terrorists here who like wreaking havoc their own special way. They're called the Anoli.

If we've got smart werewolves showing up, it sounds like they'd be interested in that kind of thing.

[angryyoungvamp]

Great. There's always some idiot who makes a bad situation worse because they think their issues are more important than a big problem that threatens everybody.

What's these guys' problem, and why did they name themselves after a lizard?

[That's anole with an e. And I'm sorry, I just wanted to make this joke in continuity.]

[phantom_envoy]

Pretty much. And in any given situation, you'll have people who just want to make as much trouble as they can.

[Phantom Girl gives a small shrug.]

It has to do with Persona. It's kind of oddly reminiscent of Earth history, actually - they think Persona users are 'superior' and 'evolved'. You can figure it out from there.

And maybe they want to say that as many times as we cut their tails off, they'll grow back. Who knows?

[angryyoungvamp]

Oh, great. Yeah, I know plenty of guys who think like that. Let me guess, they think people who can use Personas should be in charge just because they can pull monsters out of their brain?

Video

[not_heavens_adam]

[Johnny winked and gave a small, joking, salute.]

Sounds good~ I'll see you then.

[phantom_envoy]

Got it in one.

[Phantom Girl gives a small shrug.]

Isn't that always the way? Among any group of sentient species, you can bet that someone is always arguing about who gets to be in charge because they're better somehow.

Anyway, their idea of proving superiority is apparently to blow things up and kill people, but... that's secondhand information.

[angryyoungvamp]

It always is. Even if they were better it wouldn't mean they could just go around killing people just because they weren't, but try telling them that.

Basically screw those guys.

[phantom_envoy]

Pretty much.

If they show their faces, I hope they're ready to take some 31st century style justice. Not that we're encouraged to use lethal force or anything.

[angryyoungvamp]

Well, yeah, obviously. I might have a few words with them myself if I run into them.

[Granted, his idea of a nonlethal takedown relies heavily on intimidation, because he's not good at fisticuffs and his other major nonlethal option is very unpleasant.]

[phantom_envoy]

...Anyway. If you want more information, you should probably ask someone who's been around a little longer.

[Phantom Girl gives a shrug.]

Here's hoping werewolves never become an issue.

[angryyoungvamp]

Alright, I'll have to see what I can dig up.

I hope so, too. They're nice to have on your side, but getting them there is not easy.

[phantom_envoy]

I'm guessing obedience school is out of the question?

[Cultural sensitivity is one of her strong points.]