Immortal's Club - Game Thread. Arc Five : Winter Soldier (Started, Open)

[Frission]

Shenshen was pretty confused by the brouhaha of various immortal personalities meeting and occasionally clashing together. His clouded mind slowly tried to piece together who each one of them was. He had met all of them as one of the first of course, but there was only so many memories that Shenshen's mind could hold before things started ... leaking.

Tut? Oh right, it was the pharaoh. Wasn't Shenshen one of his father's advisor once? It was so hard to recall.

He did realize however that he should probably stop the fop from hitting his nephew (or was that his father; he couldn't recall), but the chemist was faster.
"Er... thank you, thank you Mahmod". However when he finally was able to say that, the man had long since melted into the crowd.

Shenshen saw a walking metal man, but dismissed as one of the golems that once walked the streets of Prague.

He suddenly heard Ali say something about a German, and saw Ali (didn't he meet her once in Ming before). He found a chance to join in the conversation and decided to answer

"Ah, yes the Bavarian Corporal. Has he managed to gain power in the imperial diet? I remember the Hapsburgs have passed the catholic torch to Bavaria after... after". Wait did the Holy Roman Empire still exist? No no no. It's been dismantled ever since the first Napoleon.

After a moment of confusion he looked back at the group of women (Nadi... the lich, she was one of the first as well. Didn't she try to kill him once) and just asked "I'm unfamiliar of the man you speak of."
How is the world doing these days"?

 

[Baddamobs]

"I actually met a friend in America you might find really interesting, her original form was of an animal too, though she kept it."

Screecher's eyes widened in surprise, and she nearly griped the hand she was shaking into a vice, before her expression settled into a troubled frown.

"I...I see." Was all she could say in the end, dropping the other Immortal's hand from her's. Another that was like her? That certainly did sound like something she SHOULD be interested in, but there was a part of her that was hesitant. The main part was that this Immortal was still in their original animal form: she could relate to them on a certain level, that they would both live forever and both understand the way of the natural world differently to even the other human Immortals. But the ex-owl couldn't help but feel...resentment, that there was another who shared her longevity but not her affliction of humanity.
Screecher will admit she had grown used to her human body, and the fact her companions now mostly included other humans, but she had spent many of those first hundred or so years snapping at more or less every member of the club for simply being human in origin.

Maybe I've just gone through the grieving process too much...

Shaking her head of those somber thoughts, she forced a smile onto her face.
"T-that sounds extremely intriguing, Naditabirus, you'll have to tell me about over a drink or two."

Thankfully, before she was forced to continue this potentially painful conversation, Ali approached them, and after welcoming back 'Nadi', she turned to Screecher herself.

"Maybe I can even visit you in England. I've heard its quite nice there now. There's certainly less craters there from that nasty little man in Germany."

Screecher gave a non-committal shrug.
"Do what you wish Ali, I would have your company over that of any mortal at any rate. The country itself is fine, though I couldn't tell you about any of it's happenings: you know how petty mortal politics bore me." She folded her arms and looked away from the group slightly, hoping they didn't see the embarrassed light in her eyes. "I only ask that you don't visit around early spring time, as that tends to be a...hectic time, for me. I'd rather not anymore complicated then need be."

Before anyone could ask about this odd request, Shenshen (thankfully) chose that moment to join the group. He made a comment about... something Screecher couldn't keep up with, only really catching:

"How is the world doing these days?"

A good question if ever I heard one. Screecher grimaced slightly. It wasn't that she didn't care about the happenings of the world in general, just that she long ago learned that barring some important events that really stood out, there wasn't much point in concerning herself with it. Governments would rise and fall, languages would change, great works of art became famous and fade into obscurity within a blink, and throughout it all their little club remained. Why worry about something that you would eventually see turn to dust anyway?
For the actual conversation, she just waved the question off like one swatting a fly.

"The same old things, Shenshen. Short-sighted mortals doing short-sighted things, a few more inventions made to help in the killing of everything that isn't us, and," with a grin she gestured to the room. "the drinks just keep on flowing. I'll admit, I wonder about something though." To this, she addressed the three other Immortals before her with a curious expression, a gloved hand lightly on her chin. "Is this all you're first times in Paris? I'll admit that I spent quite a bit of time here myself, but it was under...much different circumstances. I wonder if any of you know this city better than my loose grip of the place?"

 

[Frission]

First time in Paris

Images flashed unbidden through the mind of Shenshen. Paris when it was known as Lutece, the first Capet king, and it's growth since then. This was followed by a veritable sea of faces.
Strange, for some reason the face of Jeanne came to his mind just now ( her eyes burned)

"No, I'm not really familiar with this place as I would like. I got slightly side tracked while I was getting to this party actually, but it's of no real matter since I got to explore the city. One point of interest was the Eiffel tower. Have you seen it? It's an ugly thing, but it's still the second tallest building I've ever seen! Not to mention it's use!"

Shenshen searched in the grubby depths of his shawls and pulled out a brown box.

"This is a Ra-do. It can allow you to hear from another being who is not actually there! We give men far too little credit. It's one of the many wondrous inventions of men and I was actually going to suggest that we adopted it. We are entering a golden age of men, mark my words and there will come a time when men will naturally be able to join us!

Shenshen nodded in approval to his own statement before suddenly frowning as he studied the face of the beings around him.

He had already conversed with the Lich, the Phoenix and the Wise Spirit several times already and most of those exhanges had ended with arguments about their respective views on humanity (in the gardens of Babylon, the banks of the Yangtze and a dark mountain ). He was struck by a sense of timelessness, as he realized that he had asked the same questions and gotten the same answer for hundreds of years (are all of us like insects in amber).

"Who's the new one?" He didn't see anyone unfamiliar in the room. There was the crusader, there was the kinslayer, the spice merchant, the cake eater, the conquistador and the rest. Only the eldest was missing. The room seemed to turn on it's axis as he recognized them.

"Have any of you err ... well have you done anything new since the last meeting?".

He realized he was still holding on to his jar of honey and mechanically extended his hands.
" Are any of you interested? It's from the nectar of a species of flower that is now extinct."

 

[JoJo]

Cadeyrn looked up expectantly at the robot, who seems to be suffering from the barrage of questions he'd had thrown at him.

"Gears", the machine finally answered, "My name is Gears. I do not eat, nor drink, nor sleep. I simply exist, and can never stop, like the rest of you".

"I like that name," Cadeyrn replied with a shrug, "Well good to meet you, I'm going to go eat,"

He hopped off to another part of the room, lighting his cigarette from the fireplace and then dining on some of the food that Gilles had prepared. He ate ravenously, stuffing various meats and and delicacies into his mouth until he had a veritable beard of sauces.

"Have any of you err ... well have you done anything new since the last meeting?".

Cadeyrn looked up from his plate to see Shenshen speaking nearby. The man was alright in his eyes, a little boring and clueless, like most grown-ups really. Cadeyrn had long ago sworn that if he ever got a chance to grow up, he wouldn't become like the rest of them.

"Are any of you interested? It's from the nectar of species of flower that is now extinct."

"I'll have a taste!" Cadeyrn volunteered, throwing aside his current plate, he loved sweet tasting foods. Aside from anything-else, they reminded him of his old home long ago. "I'm still looking for a way back to the Otherworld, my last lead dried up around Stonehenge. Those so-called druids were useless," the boy added in reply to the man's earlier question, before asking one of his own, "Any of you know anything about Guanyin?"

 

[drmigit2]

In a fairly rapid succession, quite a few people decided to head on over to Naditabirus' area. Probably best for Giles anyway, who was still busy trying to sort through the mess. Screecher seemed obviously uncomfortable at the idea of another immortal animal, and with a decent reason, the Lich figured. Still, she figured they would never really have that discussion, not for a while. She would drop the idea until Screecher asked about it herself. What did bother her is how this group of people managed to sit through the second world war and have nothing to say about it other than how it was apparently the "same old thing." Naditabirus had lived for almost four thousand years now, and while admittedly wars could bend together on occasion, the last two were different. Tens of millions, not thousands died over the course of a few years. Plus with the new atomic age, the mortals might very well blast the planet into oblivion. This was part of the reason Naditabirus left in the first place, but she sighed and gathered her wits.

"Have any of you err ... well have you done anything new since the last meeting?".

Naditabirus simply chuckled at that question, leaving her exploits vague. She didn't need to catch the ire of the club, yet. She had broken enough rules while in the Americas to warrant expulsion from the club, if they had the gall to do it. Even if she had spent most of her unlife traveling the planet and not interacting with the others, it would still be inconvenient to get on their bad sides, if they could even remember who she was.

"Is this all you're first times in Paris? I'll admit that I spent quite a bit of time here myself, but it was under...much different circumstances. I wonder if any of you know this city better than my loose grip of the place?"

"I used to know Paris quite well, but this has been my first time back since I left for the Americas on a settlement ship. Some of it is still the same, but much is different, I kind of like that, though. Gives me more to explore again."

 

[Frission]

Recent Activities

Few answered Shenshen's question and most just looked away or changed the subject. It was understandable of course, since immortals had always been secretive (when it was the eldest and him in a mud hut). It didn't matter as long as it didn't break the laws that were laid down by the eldest(he wanted to break the curse).

"That ... That's good. I hope you are all doing well and ... and "

He was interrupted as a small figure started to empty his jar of honey.

"Oh, hello Korr- I mean Caderyn. Please help yourself."


Guanyin

"I can't think of anything in particular about the Bodhisattva. I haven't seen any of the Buddhist members for the last few centuries""

"I'm sorry to hear about your search however. In the same way, I've looking for entrances to the underworld, but I haven't had success even with the one of old Utu. I've been thinking that perhaps only those who can die can see these locations. We might need to use a mortal to sniff out magical locations although that would be, ah, illegal of course so it wouldn't be... "

Wait. Rules. The fog lifted from Shenshen's mind for enough time for him to remember that he didn't come here to simply discuss pleasantries. He remembered that he had brought something else for this occasion. In a pocket right next to his pistol (the handle sticky from blood) he found a small memo with a note on all the immortals that were currently deemed in need of incarceration. In red were those were free or in danger of escaping.

" Actually while we're on the subject, I wanted to bring into attention that while I was making the rounds. Mid- Mr. Marco Polo requested a round to investigate the cages and I've noticed that the prisons for two immortals are weakening and one has escaped. I regret to say that it concerns the three great serial killers".

" The Blood Countess is still frozen in the Artic, but the ice is melting and it would be wise to find a new prison. Dumping her into the ocean doesn't work anymore, so we may have to find a new way to imprison her"

" Whereas the Ripper (he stunk of blood and worse) is getting antsy in his prison in London and I fear that he will soon be discovered. We'll need at least three strong immortals to hold him down while we put him in the iron box. I fear there may be no other way."

He looked at Naditabirus for this one.

"The Impaler has also managed to get away from his prison underneath the boulder. He uh licked his way out. We'll catch him if he starts causing havoc".

"All in all, the cages should still hold for a few years, so the situation isn't dire".

Shenshen examined the piece of paper a bit closer however, and noticed the timestamp of the memo.
His heart jumped a beat (such as when a elephant was falling on him) and after a moment he asked quietly:
"If I may ask, what year is it?"

 

[JoJo]

"1954, I think," Cadeyrn shrugged in reply to Shenshen as he dug into the man's jar of honey, he didn't really care about the imprisoning of murderous immortals though nor did he particularly object in these cases, the prisoners usually had been mean to him in the past anyway. He thought it might be fun to visit the Ripper some time so he could taunt him some more, Cadeyrn still hadn't forgiven the killer for trying to cut out his kidneys that one time. Presently he returned to the subject of his search.

"When I was at Stonehenge, I met some bald men in orange robes and they told me about Guanyin. They said she's really powerful and nice and she looks after kids especially, so I'm going to find her and ask her to let me back into my old home," Cadeyrn said with a wistful smile, "The only problem is, no-one knows where she is, not even the bald men. I was hoping one of you would know..."

He handed Shenshen back his honeypot and then turned to Screecher, sensing the opportunity for some amusement.

"Oi Screechers!" he cackled, prodding her gently in the back until she turned around, "Whatcha doing?"

 

[Baddamobs]

"I...believe the date is 1947." Screecher frowned for a moment in contemplation, but she refocused.

"If those three idiots really think they have ANY chance of getting off scot-free, clearly their imprisonments have made them soft in the head. If we need to put them back into the earth, so be it. This time, let's just make sure their cells can actually hold them, alright? Feels like we've blinked and we're already stomping the worms back into the earth." Screecher sighed, before adding. "If it's alright with everyone else, I'll go to the north: I'd rather be the one to put that...person, in her next place of rot."

About a thousand more appropriate ways to describe the 'Blood Countess' had come into mind, not a single one flattering, however Screecher refused to let her temper boil over tonight.

This is the first meeting where everyone is present in a while. I won't let these damn human emotions get the better of me tonight of all nights. Just take deep breaths, and -

"Oi Scheechers!"

Oh god... Knowing that jabbing her sides wouldn't cease until she did so, the Immortal turned with about as much reluctance as one could conceivably do so.

"Whatcha doing?"

Oh yes, that's right, eat it up you grinning, pint sized, black-hole of common sense.
Screecher would none too proudly admit she was gritting her teeth behind her frown. Cadeyrn was grinning up at her, in that infuriating fashion, like he knew the world's funniest joke and refused to tell it to her. Knowing him, whatever joke it was would be made at her expense.
She near seething levels of anger and he hadn't actually DONE anything yet.
Oh yes, she had noticed his arrival to the group earlier, and done her damn best to ignore it. She wouldn't be forced away from the conversation by his mere presence, no way in hell; that would be basically admitting defeat. And if there was one thing Screecher absolutely refused to do, was admit defeat. She would admit one thing however, that the 'child' had mastered getting under her skin.

Very well, two can play at this game...

"Why, Cadeyrn," Screecher put on the most sickeningly coy voice she could muster. "I was just thinking to myself how besides myself with worry I am for you. After all, smoking is a dirty habit, and can really..." She lent over, emphasizing her height, a predatory smirk overtaking her face. "...stunt a runt's growth."

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Ali observed the conversation with mixed feelings. First they turned to the grim business of monsters and killers then they talked about the date which always soured her. How was one to live life to tthr fulllest if their own life wasn't held down time death or injury? It brought her back to the first centuries of her immortality where she questioned everything. To an extent, she still does but she's very lenient on things now and why bother questioning everything when you could do just about everything?

She sat herself down, swirling her American wine before taking a few sips then something struck her. Ali got back up and went to Nadi.

"Nadi, what's America like now?" Ali asked curiously. "It's been an awful long time since I've been there. 1800's maybe? I don't quite know but I wish to go there. From what I've heard, they've done quite well in the war and it's quite easy to go there now with airplanes and what not. Are you staying here or do you plan to go back, love?" She was close to Nadi now, with a hint of deviancy in her relaxed eyes.

 

[booksv2]

After depositing the case of drinks in arms reach of Gilles and giving him a little wave Jack turns to look over the myriad of immortals that were spread out over the room in little groups talking or arguing as the case may be. Catching sight of the machine again and considering going over to talk to it he nods a few times to himself before his eyes go on and look for older friends he could talk to before getting to this new one.

Catching a glimpse of Nadi with Screecher and the child as well as a few others Jack raises his hand to pat his suit jacket softly. Walking Over towards that group up behind Screecher and pulls out a small metal flask from inside his jacket. Coughing softly and tapping his cane lightly on the floor.
"Screecher, i remembered you were looking for some strong drinks."

Holding out the small metal flask with his left hand, an owl with its wings open on the front. As she turns around to see what it is Screechers eyes light up as it catch's sight of the flask, the little owl making the light in her eyes turn into a sentimental look. As she takes it from Jack and rubs her thumb over the owl she is momentarily distracted from the what had been going on behind her.

 

[Baddamobs]

Screecher wasn't entirely sure what to make of the flask initially. On one hand, here it was: everything that had been taken from her, and everything she desired to return to. Glorious wings, strong talons, magnificent feathers... All beyond her reach, likely forever.

As much of a damning symbol as that mirror... and yet...

This was not the same as that mirror. THAT had been forced upon her, a memento to her downfall. This was a simple gift, something given by a friend with good intentions and faith. In a way, Jack was just trying to give a little piece of her back...

Besides, Screecher grinned slightly as she unscrewed the top and took a whiff, smelling the strength of the alcohol within. This is some good stuff.

"Thank you, Jack." She brushed her thumb against the owl one more time, before looking back up with a sincere smile gracing her features, thoughts of her previous employment with Cadeyrn far from her mind. "Sometimes I think you know me better than I do."

 

[JoJo]

"Why, Cadeyrn," Screecher put on the most sickeningly coy voice she could muster. "I was just thinking to myself how besides myself with worry I am for you. After all, smoking is a dirty habit, and can really..." She lent over, emphasizing her height, a predatory smirk overtaking her face. "...stunt a runt's growth."

"Hm!" Cadeyrn squeaked indignantly and stuck his tongue out at the woman. "At-least it'll keep me thin, unlike you!" he added. She turned to talk to Jack, the boy stamped his foot on the floor, there was little more annoying than being ignored.

"Guess what food I tried a few years ago when I visited China?" he said loudly, a mischievous grin returning to his face, "Owl," he licked his lips exaggeratedly, "Tastes just like chicken!"

 

[drmigit2]

"Nadi, what's America like now?"

Naditabirus shrugged. "It's a mixed bag." She began, "It's being run by some insane fellow who clearly does not know his history. Their fear of communists ruining their country, has caused them to ruin it themselves. Still, I have been to far worse places and their scientific progress is worthy of my attentions. I had left for a few years to study radiology, but after that stint I returned, with a whole lot of other scientists to boot! Apparently genocide isn't conducive to science, so Europe I expect will fall behind in the game while the USSR and America might just clinch the whole scientific race if things continue along this path."

Naditabirus sighed, "I don't know if I want to go back there for a while. I just spent the greater part of five hundred years in the country. I have seen most of what it has to offer. I kind of want to explore Antarctica next, I know there isn't a ton of civilization there, but I have yet to go and there is no point in waiting around." Naditabirus lit another cigarette and paid little mind to Jack and his booze. She hadn't had anything to eat or drink in hundreds of years. No reason for her to eat good food while others starved, especially since she didn't actually need it. Nobody however died from a lack of cigarettes, so those were fine.

 

[booksv2]

"Thank you, Jack. Sometimes I think you know me better than I do."

Smiling and pulling another flask out much more worn and obviously used Jack clinks it against Screechers and lifts it to take a small mouthful.
"I would never assume that madam. But i am glad you enjoy, i found someone who made some very good metal work."
Raising his own flask again to take a second sip he closes it and puts it back into his jacket. Looking behind her at the immortal child and waving his fingers at him.
"Hello Cadeyrn, a pleasure. But trying to provoke others is a game that can have harsh outcomes. I believe there is some flavored rock candy in the case i set over by GIlles. I think, i know i picked some up but i don't know when."

Looking around and at the others standing close.
"Ali, Nadi, Shen. A pleasure since the last time."

 

[Baddamobs]

The first insult, she had missed: she had been too busy admiring her new favorite flask to really pay attention. If she had heard it, there would be no doubt she would be...peeved. But that would be the extant.
She had the misfortune to tune back in just in time to hear,

"Guess what food I tried a few years ago when I visited China? ... Owl !"

For that one precious moment in time, everything was still. Her breath slowed to a stop. Her eyes and ears stopped comprehending all around them for a second. Her mind became completely blank. Not a single thought passed through her head.
If she had meant to enter this state, it might have been confused with a state of zen.

Then the shaking started. First her hands. Then her arms, followed swiftly by her shoulders. She swore she could feel her eye-balls start to shake. She could hear blood pumping rapidly through her ears.

W-what....h-he can't be-

"Tastes just like chicken!"

That...was just about the final nail.

"Wha...WHAT!?" Screecher earned her name shake, her pupils turning into dangerous pinpricks as she glared at the Immortal before her. "Yo-you wouldn't dare even think to...!"

She wanted to wring his neck; throw him to the ground, use her superior weight (...) to hold him there as she strangled him. But it would be a fruitless affair. Besides, he probably already accounted for that.

"I-it's one thing to... but then, to actually compare it to a-"

Damn human mouth! Stop failing me! She needed back up.

"Shanna!" About facing, she called across the room at said other Immortal, pointing her free, shaking, hand (the other still holding the flask) at Cadeyrn. "Get over here and- and...do something to control this... argh!"

Stomping away, she shakily unscrewed the cap to her new drink, and despertately taking a long swig of the burning alcohol. She was going to need A LOT more before the night was out.

 

[JoJo]

Cadeyrn had to grip onto a nearby chair to stop himself falling over with laughter, the ex-owl's response was exactly as he had hoped. Screecher was so easy to wind up, it was almost... beautiful.

"Bwah, bwah!" the boy started to make chicken noises in her direction, trying hard to stop himself giggling as he did so.

"You god-damn stop that, you pixie reject, or I SWEAR I'm coming back over there!"

Screecher turned on her heel and glared with as much malice as one could muster at Cadeyrn, her hands shaking so much it was a wonder that her flask wasn't sent flying from them. She was starting to realize the sweet realise of drink wasn't going to save this evening.‏

"I'm a fae, pixies are stupid and ugly," Cadeyrn stuck his tongue out in mock disgust, "What do you think is tastiest anyway, owl curry or owl stew?"‏

"Ugh!" Screecher suddenly clutched her throat, a sudden burning sensation nearly toppling her.

Did...did I just nearly throw up? Screecher shook her head, like a horse swats off a fly, before realigning her her sights. Her eyes held nothing but fury. She crossed back over the room, again assuming a position that stated her height over the other Immortal (again, he didn't seem very fazed by this). She was silent for second, before her next whispered words,

"I'll tell you this... child. You keep this up, and I'll personally see to your downfall. Even I have to bury you myself, I'll do it. You've always been a pain, but if there WAS a line, you have most certainly crossed it."
Pocketing her new flask, she turned to the door, calling out:

"I'm done for the evening, Gilles. May you all have a pleasent night." She stopped on the threshold, unable to hold back one last;

"Except you, Cadeyrn."


"I'd just dig my way out!" Cadeyrn called after Screecher as she left the building, he had no doubts her threats were ultimately empty, many had tried and failed in the past. He sighed and went back to the dining table, conversing with some other guests and sampling more food before finally calling it a night. He had nowhere booked to stay of course but from experience he know of a couple of hotels which were easy enough to break into at the right time of evening.‏


‎"Bye!" he shouted behind him as he bounced out of the door and into the Parisian streets, a wary eye over his shoulder in-case the troublesome policemen from earlier should reappear.

 

[PlastikThief]

Shanna's predilection for examining the most shiny new thing in the room at any given time often drew them away from most conversations and situations. It was an unfortunate habit that they had developed over the years of dealing with mortals. They could fluctuate between being the most mundane livestock, shuffling around like so many sheep on their way to the next field, to ferocious mobs of stone-throwers and torch-lighters, ready to incite riot and revolution over something as trivial as a mildly caffeinated beverage. It was something Shanna both admired and questioned, but it ultimately led them to being far more interested in more obscure or revolutionary developments of the century.

Exhibit A being the walking talking machine. Of course, Shanna was far to busy pondering their own thoughts to actually bother to communicate with the immortal. Soft spoken and distant minded, they were hard to converse with at the best of times, let alone in the presence of a wonder like this. It is thanks to this that Shanna entirely missed the ensuing conversations that sprang up around them, and it was only the indignant screech of their name that pulled them from the minute reverie.

To say that Shanna didn't have many close friends among the other immortals would be an exaggeration, but they mostly kept to themselves during most meetings. Screecher was one of those that Shanna could count on for a quiet conversation, and Shanna appreciated the Wise One's counsel on more discrete matters. They also bonded over their distaste for the Man-Child Caderyn. Now, Shanna was not one to throw out unwarranted aggression, but something about the immortals fae's antics rubbed them the wrong way. The archivist was, by now, used to, and even promoted certain instances of tomfoolery and trickery, they were an factor of cultural expansion through imagination and iteration, something which Shanna could not deride no matter how much it may irritate them, but Caderyn's consistently obtuse and obnoxious comments drove them up the wall.

In the end though, Shanna passed the rest of the evening being vaguely ticked off, and stole one of Gilles' fine almanacs as means of petty retribution. (Shanna vowed to place it somewhere it would be read thoroughly). They took to the streets after that, stopping in and out of shops and bars to find people to listen to.

 

[TheIronRuler]

The night was over, the morning sun lazily rising in the Parisian horizon and Gilles was busy waking Isaac up from his slumber. He shook him, hit him and screamed with all of his might for the giant drunkard to move. Nothing helped. All of his guests had moved away, the evening quite finished without more liquor to lighten the mood. The night seemed to have been somewhat of a success, and Gilles smiled at the future prospects of hosting more of these parties. He was relatively new, after all, and not all Immortals trusted him, but all he wanted to do was to be the most repsected and popular of the bunch. There was Utna, of course, but none could outdo him. All he had to do was carry on and try to subdue the feelings that overtook him at times.

When was the last time he felt the warm flesh of a child? When was the last time he sucked away the innocence in one violent thrust? Oh, Gilles shuddered in joy at the thought. His right hand was hovering around his belt-buckle, ready to undo the clumbsy clothing. A snore coming from Isaac made him snap out of his trance and remind himself there are better ways to spend the day. Gilles finally woke Isaac up, and after a brief session of violent struggle he threw him out of his cafe.

Gilles was left to his own, but he didn't carry on with his plans. A dark shadow descended, and he was convinced yet again that he couldn't preform such a vile act. He had to feel the real thing, touch it and smell it. Gilles left the cafe, a crooked grin on his face, looking for some poor street urchin to complete his evening. The world was still young, and nomatter the era, nobody thought twice about any missing beggars.

 

[TheIronRuler]

[HEADING=2]

?Death shall come on swift wings to him who disturbs the peace of the King? ? King Tutankhamun?s Curse​

[/HEADING]

[HEADING=1]

London, England.
​

[/HEADING]

I?m pretty much sure there?s a Queen Elizabeth on the throne. [small]But is it the first or the second? [/small]


Today?s meeting was held at a bankrupt theatre stage in downtown London, back-stage stacked wall-to-wall with brandy, scotch and wine for the ensuing party planned for the evening. The host of this humble get-together was the resident joker, the always talkative Tut. His place was reserved at the back of the stage on a small table, between the philosopher?s stone and the Holy Grail, staring blankly at the ongoing procession of immortal bodies coming into his domain.

Lilith and Idun were both helping with the guests and handing out refreshments, dressed in outrageously revealing black outfits that would make a Victorian lady scream in protest. They were prancing around from Immortal to Immortal, offering them an appetizer or a drink, smiling all the while. Tut seemed to have used all of his fortune and cashed in all of his debts ? Mahmod was at the center of the hall, offering special concoctions, blends and narcotics for all who would ask. Even Anansi was at his service, doing parlor tricks with his magic, juggling knives and performing stunning feats of acrobatics. Anything to entertain the guests, he thought, anything to keep the talking head quiet. Utna was at the front of the room, greeting all Immortals in the hall. The secret debt he had paid off will puzzle the other Immortals for hundreds of years to come.

Eshu, the runner demi-god and self-proclaimed adventurer had travelled through the world, scouring the lands and seas to find any Immortal who would agree to join the meeting. Underneath the pleasantries and invitations there was an ominous tone ? something was to be revealed that fateful night. Some great debt was to be repaid. A change is coming, one which would shake the very foundations of the Immortal?s Club. It wasn?t a newcomer, nor was it a sinful member ? the status-quo was due for a change, and today was the day feared the most.

?Welcome to our humble residence. Tut will be speaking shortly?, Utna would say to every confused guest as they entered the stage or sat down in the audience, sipping their drinks and sniffing the fine powder of Mahmod?s creations. Their glasses would never stay empty and their nervous smiles remained on their faces ? nobody knew what was yet to come.

?A day to remember? said Anansi as he walked on his hands, his bare legs juggling four long bastard swords with immeasurable skill. ?A day of excitement and fun!? he exclaimed, jumping back on his feet and expertly grabbing all four blades in his hands. ?Do wait and see what the great Tut will speak!? he finished, bowed and left the stage. The stage was indeed set for the theatrical show ? all guests went down to their seats, and at the front were only Tut and Utna, the one standing next to the other.

?Psst?Psst?? he whispered, a faint grin on his face. Utna turned to the talking head, held him from his neck and raised him up in front of him. ?Good? That?s good. I haven?t been this way for a long time. Alright, you filthy excuse for a crowd, this is my show tonight. I all out of patience, and so are you. There is a reason why you?re all here? he coughed violently, wheezed and gasped for air, spat on the floor and continued. ?I call on everything I owe and everything you owe to me. I need your help? he stopped, taking a long hard look at everyone in the audience. Somebody would help him, he was sure of it.

?Those fuckers have had the balls to showcase me in public. At least now I know they haven't made me into bonemeal and sold me in the black market to get snorted by a bunch of dumb Europeans. The British Royal Museum had made its last mistake. I am taking charge. I am taking my body back, and I need your help to do it!? he shouted at the top of his lungs, hoping his show was good enough to catch their attention. ?They?ve made a mockery of my own people, and I am here for revenge. I am here for a final rest. I am here to scratch my own fucking nose once and for all-? he looked up and wiggled a little in Utna?s hands, which prompted him to lean Tut against his chest and scratch his nose with his other hand, ?-thanks?, he whispered so that only Utna could hear. ?This is a dangerous mission, and you could all rot in prison for eternity and blow our cover ? but this is the end. I?m calling in my favors, my gifts, my loans. I?m leaving the club. If-? he spat on the floor and wrinkled his nose, ?When I?m back with my body, I?ll finally go back to sleep. I could end this never-ending nightmare. I could die?. A dark cloud fell on the whole theatre. The air was thick with sweat. ?So go ahead and get drunk, it?s all free. Whoever wants to join me tonight, I will see you back-stage. See me at the dressing room, behind the crates of Czech beer?. Utna walked off the stage with Tut, carrying him away to the location he specified. He stayed there alone, lonely in his Immortality, with nothing left to feel but his face.

[HEADING=1]At the back of the stage...[/HEADING]​

?There?s still much to do for you? his voice slithered like a snake as he went down the steps, ?A few potions won?t do?. Mahmod presented himself to the talking head, dressed in formal evening wear, a slick black suit and a red bow-tie to finish the look.

?I owe you, Tut?, his slurred words echoed through the hall leading to the room, and in came Isaac, sloppily dressed and heavily drunk. ?It takes half an hour for this to wear off, and then I?ll be as good as- *hiccup* - new!? he proclaimed victoriously, noticed the casks of beer and frowned. He wouldn?t be drinking anymore tonight.

?Last time we met, you were still on your feet?, a deep voice bellowed beyond the walls of the room, ?I am here to set things right. Help an old friend?, Mamnon swaggered to the stuffy room, his stoic expression showing nothing. ?We will need help, though. We don?t know this city?but I know someone who does? he spoke as if he was suggesting the most awful of sins, ?A certain fellow by the name of Jack. He wasn?t invited, though he is in the city still. First we need to? help him out?.

?As long as you return him to his cage later? Tut responded. A few more and they could head out into the city, break into the British Royal Museum and exact his vengeance.

 

[Mr.Ivebeenframed]

Ali's arrival in England had been amazingly... decent. The weather was a bit clammy and the boat did just fine as it chugged into the harbor from Calais. Just a few days before that, she was dining in a lavish French manor on the account of some wealthy industrialist that had caught her attention with gifts from Japan. He showed her his extensive collection of Japanese swords and relics which she was surprised to see. She has used at least three of the now rare katanas in her time during the reunification era. Nostalgia lead her to spend a few days with the wealthy industrialist until he got on his knees to marry her. That was her signal to leave.

She arrived to the party in a stunning, white silk dress which she immediately regretted when he heard of Tut's plan. She was all for a little bit of fun and thievey but doing such in a silk dress was a bit of a challenge. She said her greetings to the usual group of immortals as she thought it over. Ali milled it over with a bottle of brandy before deciding that stealing from a museum was something she hadn't done in a while so she gathered herself and went backstage

She politely knocked on the door when she heard voices from the room.

"Hello? Tut, it's me, Ali!" She said. "I would love to be part of your little plan. It sounds like a jolly good time."