Joscelin Fitzthomas (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
dredefulchilde) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
undergrounds2016-02-17 10:18 pm
dredefulchilde) wrote in undergrounds2016-02-17 10:18 pm
Entry tags:
If I had my way I would stay up here forever and never look down - February Open Post
Leaning from the balcony
Islington Nest, Early February - OPEN to vampires and vampire allies only
One hundred twenty years, almost exactly. That was how long it had been since Joscelin Fitzhomas had last been allowed in the Nest. He was surprised by how much had changed--he saw far more new faces than old--and how much had stayed exactly the same. Everything was so familiar; with the notable exception of the clothes everyone wore and the cell phones most now carried, it was almost as if he had not been deposed in a violent coup, been made to watch as every vampire he'd ever sired was killed in front of him, and had been banned for life.
Huh.
Well, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
He initially cast about for a familiar face, but quickly changed his criteria to a friendly one. He recognized many faces, of course, and he also recognized the openly murderous glares he was getting from every quarter. His reputation as a monstrous tyrant had apparently preceded him, because even vampires sired after his spectacular downfall didn't look terribly pleased to have him there.
Ah--a friendly face at last. Finally.
"Rough crowd tonight, hmm? It's almost as if they all remember my rather disastrous attempt at leading the Nest."
As if without a care
Kensington High Street, 14 February - OPEN
Ah, Valentine's Day. Chocolate and cards and plenty of soppy young couples drunk on wine and love and blissfully unaware that they were being watched by a small figure lurking in the shadows. After his embarrassing failure to feed on the American the previous night, Joscelin found himself quite ravenous. He stood a little away from the entrance to the Underground station, looking for an easy mark. It had been far too long since he'd had human blood, and even as old as he was his strength and speed were rather diminished because of it. Ah, there.
Quietly, he approached his chosen victim.
Wondering should I take the fall
Guilty Pleasures, 20 February - CLOSED to Kenzi
News around the Nest was that Jean-Claude had recently turned a pretty young girl. A former witch, even, to hear some of the younger ones tell it. How very interesting.
Joss felt it was his duty, as Jean-Claude's associate and even sometimes friend to investigate these claims and, if necessary, impress upon the newly made vampire the importance of her new situation as the progeny of the Earl of Poplar.
But mostly he was curious.
As strange, or even appalling, as the presence of a prepubescent boy in a strip club might have looked to the casual observer, this was hardly Joscelin's first time in Jean Claude's establishment. In fact, a nod to the bartender got him shown to his accustomed booth, hidden in a corner, and a large strawberry milkshake. If he was going to suss out the baby vampire, Guilty Pleasures was a good place to start.
And apparently his hunch had paid off. There she was, really not very far from where he sat. The others had been right--she was pretty.
"So it's you, then, is it?" He asked, more demanding than anything, putting out his small hand. "Joscelin Fitzthomas de Lisle, at your service."
Or should I take the stairs
The Jolly Roger, 29 February - OPEN
Leap years were somewhat less extraordinary to the admittedly ancient but Joscelin had always found himself fascinated with the idea of it, which came about far earlier than his own long-ago time. It was Aurelia who had first sparked his interest in all things antiquarian, when she was still alive, and in between telling him stories of Claudian Rome and her eventual journey to the newly established outpost of Britannia improved his paltry church Latin with the real thing.
He'd never admit it, of course, but he missed his sire desperately.
Because it was leap day, and because he still had yet to find a human surrogate parent who fit his exacting standards in brainwashed blood donors, Joss decided to debase himself by going to the local watering hole. Blood workers weren't ideal, but he had a bit of cash at the moment and it was far preferable to random drunks and stray pets. Despite his apparent age, certain others of his attributes had him quickly admitted to the back room.
Where he waited.
Islington Nest, Early February - OPEN to vampires and vampire allies only
One hundred twenty years, almost exactly. That was how long it had been since Joscelin Fitzhomas had last been allowed in the Nest. He was surprised by how much had changed--he saw far more new faces than old--and how much had stayed exactly the same. Everything was so familiar; with the notable exception of the clothes everyone wore and the cell phones most now carried, it was almost as if he had not been deposed in a violent coup, been made to watch as every vampire he'd ever sired was killed in front of him, and had been banned for life.
Huh.
Well, plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
He initially cast about for a familiar face, but quickly changed his criteria to a friendly one. He recognized many faces, of course, and he also recognized the openly murderous glares he was getting from every quarter. His reputation as a monstrous tyrant had apparently preceded him, because even vampires sired after his spectacular downfall didn't look terribly pleased to have him there.
Ah--a friendly face at last. Finally.
"Rough crowd tonight, hmm? It's almost as if they all remember my rather disastrous attempt at leading the Nest."
As if without a care
Kensington High Street, 14 February - OPEN
Ah, Valentine's Day. Chocolate and cards and plenty of soppy young couples drunk on wine and love and blissfully unaware that they were being watched by a small figure lurking in the shadows. After his embarrassing failure to feed on the American the previous night, Joscelin found himself quite ravenous. He stood a little away from the entrance to the Underground station, looking for an easy mark. It had been far too long since he'd had human blood, and even as old as he was his strength and speed were rather diminished because of it. Ah, there.
Quietly, he approached his chosen victim.
Wondering should I take the fall
Guilty Pleasures, 20 February - CLOSED to Kenzi
News around the Nest was that Jean-Claude had recently turned a pretty young girl. A former witch, even, to hear some of the younger ones tell it. How very interesting.
Joss felt it was his duty, as Jean-Claude's associate and even sometimes friend to investigate these claims and, if necessary, impress upon the newly made vampire the importance of her new situation as the progeny of the Earl of Poplar.
But mostly he was curious.
As strange, or even appalling, as the presence of a prepubescent boy in a strip club might have looked to the casual observer, this was hardly Joscelin's first time in Jean Claude's establishment. In fact, a nod to the bartender got him shown to his accustomed booth, hidden in a corner, and a large strawberry milkshake. If he was going to suss out the baby vampire, Guilty Pleasures was a good place to start.
And apparently his hunch had paid off. There she was, really not very far from where he sat. The others had been right--she was pretty.
"So it's you, then, is it?" He asked, more demanding than anything, putting out his small hand. "Joscelin Fitzthomas de Lisle, at your service."
Or should I take the stairs
The Jolly Roger, 29 February - OPEN
Leap years were somewhat less extraordinary to the admittedly ancient but Joscelin had always found himself fascinated with the idea of it, which came about far earlier than his own long-ago time. It was Aurelia who had first sparked his interest in all things antiquarian, when she was still alive, and in between telling him stories of Claudian Rome and her eventual journey to the newly established outpost of Britannia improved his paltry church Latin with the real thing.
He'd never admit it, of course, but he missed his sire desperately.
Because it was leap day, and because he still had yet to find a human surrogate parent who fit his exacting standards in brainwashed blood donors, Joss decided to debase himself by going to the local watering hole. Blood workers weren't ideal, but he had a bit of cash at the moment and it was far preferable to random drunks and stray pets. Despite his apparent age, certain others of his attributes had him quickly admitted to the back room.
Where he waited.
Kensington High Street
It isn't anything he really worries about now. Even when he was a young man, there were better times to play at romance than in the middle of winter. Especially a werewolf-related holiday, as he'd always seen Valentine's Day. His holiday of choice was Midsummer. As a witch, especially, Beltane had been his main draw.
And now?
Now, he's furious. He's out hunting, yes, but not for human prey. He's looking for the vampires responsible for the massacre not twelve hours ago. Because that? Wasn't authorised by the Nest. Which meant they were all perilously close to being exposed. Thankfully others had more than enough cause to protect them all.
no subject
Joscelin leans against a wall, arms folded across his bony chest. For once, he isn't smiling or teasing or trying to make a joke. He, too, wants to know who did this, how things could go so desperately wrong in so short a time.
"They had to have been young. No one else could have been so stupid."
He hopes Coward can get to the bottom of this and punish those responsible, for both their sakes. Millicent would see inaction on Coward's part as a sign of weakness, and Joss doesn't want to have pinned his chance for a return to favor on the wrong man.
"Dare I ask how many dead?"
no subject
"I have the scene locked down. Guardians only have access and any police they clear." After having let one of the werewolves snoop around a bit too, as a professional favour. "They will be brought to justice."
Someone he considered to be under his protection was attacked as well as someone close to the prospective new leader of the werewolves. If things continued the way they were going.
no subject
He doesn't envy Coward one bit.
"I'm afraid I don't have any names to give you. They'll all have been after my time."
no subject
Which he hated having to say, but it was true.
"They were a little smart. Midnight rave with only candles for light. Midnight, the candles went out. No one really saw anything. The videos that are online are just bloody."
Nothing specific. So, it had been easy to write off as psychotic individuals who just wanted a slaughter. But he still had to bring them down.
"Millicent... will be satisfied when I can present their heads. Attached to their bodies or not."
no subject
Young ones these days. Far too reckless. What were they, wolves? No one has any respect for the old ways anymore.
When Coward mentions punishment, Joss can only nod. Millicent's concept of justice had always been distinctly medieval. Having been on the receiving end of it before, he can't help a shiver thinking about what's in store for the perpetrators, whoever they are.
"I almost feel sorry for the poor bastards."
no subject
He doesn't let it concern him, really. What foolish, foolish ones of their kind have done. Young as he may be to vampires, he has more sense than that. And, at the very least, he can make a small mark by how efficiently he deals with them.
Because that is what he has to do. Keep his name known.
no subject
"My contacts aren't what they once were, but if my lord wishes it I can use them. To bring the perpetrators to justice, and all that." Just give me a few hours with them first. He hasn't been allowed to torture anyone in far too long.
no subject
"If you'd like to bring their heads to Millicent yourself, I'd be quite happy to let you have it."
After all, he'd get credit enough, and Joscelin wanted to regain some status. It would be a proper start.
no subject
Humble. Right.