<Omnipotent Being> Well, Eve speaks first, she's waiting for the two of you (Persia & Fletcher) to show up, she mumbles something about you guys being late and ushers you around the house to the back yard. When you guys get there and there are about 22 people there, including Herrick, there is a hush and she says, kind of shyly, "uh. This is Fletch"

<Fletcher> Fletcher mutters something about wishing he had his notepad.

<Persia> "Fletch???"

<Omnipotent Being> Fletch, you see the five people you know from the house, Kevin isn't there but you get the feeling he's watching anyway.

<Fletcher> Fletcher pats himself down, glancing around at all the various people.

<Omnipotent Being> Herrick and one other gargoyle are off to one side, lurking under a huge tree.

<Omnipotent Being> Eve sits on the ground next to where Blake's standing. Everyone's eyes are on you Fletcher except that one new Gargoyle, she seems to keep her back turned on the whole thing.

<Fletcher> say "hmm..." Fletcher tips his hat, and takes off his shades, looking around at the crowd. Fletcher coughs a close to human cough, and says, "Well, its good to see this many of us here..."

<Persia> *waves*

<Omnipotent Being> mumble mumble mumble, bread and butter, broccoli broccoli broccoli

<Fletcher> "I guess the first order of business will be simple introductions...My name is Fletcher Nightstalker. Nightstalker Investigations. This is Persia."

<Persia> "hi."

<Omnipotent Being> peas and carrots peas and carrots peas and carrots

<Omnipotent Being> there is one, quiet, catcall from the back

<Persia> *glare*

<Fletcher> "I'm sure you all know my friends and associates, Eve, Blake, 'mother'...etc. etc.

<Omnipotent Being> mumble mumble mumble, glancing around at each other, confused looks, mumble mumble

<Persia> "yeah…Hi all." Persia tries to move into the background and not be noticed....

<Omnipotent Being> She finds that there's nothing to hide behind except Fletcher, and in her nervousness, she thinks Eve is glaring at her

<Fletcher> Producing a cigarette from a nice, shiny cigarette case, Fletch'll light one up, and push his hat further back on his head, and peruse the look of the crowd.

<Omnipotent Being> there are jumps and flinches at the lighter flaring up & Herrick looks at Fletch with dismay as if to say "Bad Move"

<Persia> wonders if Fletch is gonna run in fear from the fire, again....

<Fletcher> Well, its only brief, and the lighter will disappear somewhere into his trench coat quickly. He doesn't keep the thing -lit- for a super long period of time.

<Omnipotent Being> still… some people have low courage and are very nervous of fire.

<Fletcher> Fletcher takes a drag off his cigarette, and then says: "Well...I brought us all here together cause we've all got something in common..."

<Omnipotent Being> Heckler: "Yeah, the city hates us!"

<Fletcher> Fletcher points directly at the heckler: "Bingo. The city hates us. We're more or less unwanted by its current group, and the opposition thinks we're the sign of the apocalypse..."

<Omnipotent Being> A man looks to Fletcher, "and you are the puppet of a puppet, why do we listen to you?"

<Persia> *looks up at the sky and grins briefly, and continues to try not to be noticed*

<Omnipotent Being> Persia feels eyes digging into her

<Fletcher> Fletcher will shrug, and pace, as if thinking. Continuing, he adds: "Not to mention, we're all dead...hmm? Good Well...that’s a good question. I never thought of myself as puppet. But I suppose you're right. I work closely...

<Omnipotent Being> "with Marwood" he says coldly

<Omnipotent Being> Blake looks over at him, almost as if to shut him up

<Omnipotent Being> mumble mumble mumble

<Fletcher> Fletcher says "With those who'd be the coterie that's closest to Marwood. Yep. Of course, because of that, it really woke me up to how crappy Marwood treats his clanless and the thin blooded."

<Persia> *looks at her feet, combat boots *

<Omnipotent Being> There is a coughing spasm from an upstairs window.

<Fletcher> Fletcher pauses, and looks up at the window, looking a little concerned, then turns back to the crowd...

<Omnipotent Being> there seems to be confusion and discontent in the crowd; Fletcher thinks maybe he’s got half of them on his side.

<Fletcher> Fletcher sighs, and puts the cigarette out on the ground, unfinished.

<Omnipotent Being> Eve watches as it falls to the ground. Maybe she's keeping an eye on her lawn; maybe she's getting a long look at his body... hmmmmm

<Persia> Uhhh, Persia doesn't notice.   Thankfully.

<Fletcher> "Listen. I'm not sure how many of you even know or understand completely what you are...what we all are."

<Omnipotent Being> Fletch seems to grab a few eyes/ears with that…

<Fletcher> "And if there’s one thing I can tell you…its that under the current Rule, on either side, you probably won't learn much...and unfortunately, in our game, what that amounts to ain’t worth a hill of beans.

<Omnipotent Being> 50/50% confusion and agreement (of the 80% that are really listening)

<Persia> what are the other 20% doing?

<Omnipotent Being> mumble mumble mumble staring at stars mumble

<Fletcher> Almost sadly, he adds: "and unfortunately, that means your ahh...life expectancy, if you can call it that...is quite short."

<Omnipotent Being> you seem to grab a few more, up to 86% listening

<Fletcher> "Right now, the only thing you have going for you is your wits, and your friends...so I'm trying to get everyone here together...to get all of -us- to work together."

<Persia> *smiles a bit and tries to look out into the crowd without being noticed*

<Omnipotent Being> random shout: "But what are we going to do?"

<Omnipotent Being> random shout: "Yeah, I mean we're just hanging on as it is."

<Fletcher> Fetcher, nodding his head toward the random shout "Good question, and really, its a tough one..."

<Omnipotent Being> murmur murmur murmur

<Fletcher> "I mean, we -are- up against all odds, here...but its not like we're defenseless. We've got contacts. We're closer to humanity than anyone else..."

<Omnipotent Being> from the back: "Yeah, closer to the Cattle "

<Fletcher> "I say...use them. Make friends. We, the twenty or so people here, start a network...some of us already have."

<Omnipotent Being> 'Mother' seems to sit up a bit

<Omnipotent Being> from the back again: "and what, let each other know when death is knocking?"

<Fletcher> Fletcher will smile a bit, and shake his head. "Well...yes. If we can start acting like a family enough, no singular threat can hurt us without hurting themselves."

<Omnipotent Being> silence

<Fletcher> almost smiling when he says it: "And…there’s always Vampire lessons."

<Omnipotent Being> Herrick mutters aloud, "Like Baboons"

<Omnipotent Being> There are giggles and mutters from the crowd.

<Fletcher> Fletch'll cough, and mutter a 'thanks Herrick" before continuing: "No really. Vampire lessons. I'm sure you've all noticed interesting supernatural powers...well, that’s part of the knowledge that this...ah, community would bring about."

<Omnipotent Being> One guy stands up, confidently; "What about me, I know what I can do and how to do it. Whatarya gonna teach me?"

<Fletcher> Fletcher'll size him up, and look him up and down. "I dunno, that depends on what you think you can do...and if you can do -everything- then ya could probably teach. Two people knowing that stuff would help better than one when "Death Comes a Knockin""

<Omnipotent Being> he humbles a bit and sits back, "yeah well........."

<Fletcher> Fletcher says, "Besides, we don't know everything. Nobody does...if we did, then we wouldn't be in the mess we're in now."

<Omnipotent Being> weakly from the back, "why can't we just move out somewhere safe?"

<Omnipotent Being> from the window: "And what about the people who aren't here?"

<Fletcher> Fletcher nods to the back "Well, actually, its funny that you should mention that. One of the things I was thinking of doing, was up and moving all of us to a safer location. Say somewhere roughly a half-hour away from San Cortia, I was thinking...but that ties closely in with...was it Kevin's question: what about the people that aren't here..."

<Omnipotent Being> from the window again, "cough cough, hrmmm yeah."

<Fletcher> "Well, this is sort of a grass-roots operation, right now. And moving's kind of a big deal, and depends on our population. Besides," Fletcher’ll add. "I figure no-one person can make a decision like that. While I’d be for it...would even want to help organize it...I figure if we all are moving, everyone should have a say. So that might be a topic of discussion for the next few meetings. Though it does bring up another question:"

<Omnipotent Being> murmur murmur, "some of us have friends…" murmur, "…and family…" murmur, "…and jobs."

<Fletcher> "Friends, family and jobs? Well, keep ‘em, I say. This isn't something to jump right into. Maybe we could move out most people, or something."

<Persia> *looks as if she's thinking...*

<Omnipotent Being> Jay Random stands up and says: "but I’ve been living in the same house since, well, before. And I'm not about ready to move out into some happy suburb just because you think it would be all nice and Gilligan's Island"

<Fletcher> "Like I said, we'd discuss that, at length, later. Though those of you with friends, families, and jobs...I'd defiantly say keep them close. Those contacts I mentioned earlier, that’s them" Fletcher will shrug, and nod to Jay Random. "I think you're right. I own and operate a private detective agency downtown."

<Omnipotent Being> Ted Noone stands and says: "but those 'contacts' you keep calling them, isn't that like using them?

<Fletcher> To Ted: "Like how? I'm not saying use Jedi-mind tricks with them. If you need help, ask them. Just try not to tell them you're a vampire. Humans look at you funny when you tell them that sort of thing..."

<Omnipotent Being> Mr. E says: "…And couldn't that be dangerous? Using them I mean… …getting them involved?"

<Omnipotent Being> mumble mumble peas and carrots mumble

<Fletcher> Sighing, and scratching his right eyebrow: "well...maybe it is. But then, I'm not saying you should get them to go up against some large and powerful vampire...just bits of information when you need it here or there..."

<Omnipotent Being> Bob Vious: "but they are always watching…"

<Fletcher> "…you know. Help. If they're your family and friends, they'd be willing to lend a hand. And I'm not saying try to use them, either, or manipulate them. Just keep them in mind. You're closer to them than anyone else..."

<Persia> *nods in agreement*

<Omnipotent Being> Bob Vious: "…but they really are watching us... I swear they are. Like that guy…" and he points to a bush.

<Persia> *strangely looks at the bush*

<Persia> *wonders if Zander can look like a bush*

<Fletcher> "They who? Marwood’s folk? Knighton’s? Maybe...."

<Fletcher> Fletcher looks at the bush, anything weird about the bush?

<Omnipotent Being> nothing, nothing weird

<Omnipotent Being> murmur murmur murmur

<Omnipotent Being> Blake heads for the side yard, Herrick shortly following. The female gargoyle hunches down, without Herrick to hide behind. They return shortly, shrugging.

<Fletcher> Shaking his head "Well, anyway...I dunno. Yeah, they probably -are- watching. That’s why we let them know that they can't keep us separated and scared."

<Omnipotent Being> Al Blivious says: "I'm scared, every day I'm scared. It's dark."

<Fletcher> "Think of it this way: Europe, world war two...without the Russians, or the United States...Nazi Germany would have turned England and the rest of Europe into nothing. Then he would have moved on to someone else, then on and on, until everyone was under him, right? Well, everyone got together, and beat him down. Strength in numbers. No need to be afraid if we're all together. Its cliché, but its cliché cause it works… and it works damn well. Look at how the Camarilla is set up..."

<Persia> *looks at Fletch sideways*

<Persia> *wonders to herself  "Yeah.  How IS the Camarilla set up?"*

<Fletcher> "Well. Those of you who even know how the Camarilla is set up...you've got lots of different clans, grouped together to help each other out. And no one really messes with them. Except the Sabbat...which from what I can tell is just a nastier version of the Camarilla..."

<Omnipotent Being> Herrick shakes his head at the Sabbat statement

<Persia> *beams a smile at Herrick*

<Omnipotent Being> grumble grumble grumble, "Camarilla bah," "Sabbat bah," grumble grumble

<Fletcher> "Anyway. I don't want to keep you folks here all night. To sum it all up...under Marwood’s rule, you’re all a little lower than nothing. Actually, I could see him forcibly tossing out all the clannless and thin-bloods when he gets control again.... except for those he deems "useful"...and to the Sabbat, you're cannon-fodder and frontline soldiers...

<Fletcher> "…if that. But together, if you join up in a network, or a family, make our presence felt, even...then there’s not much they can do: Sabbat, -or- Camarilla.

<Omnipotent Being> Jay Random: "But there's no WAY we can be as big as the other Sects."

<Fletcher> "True again. But we've allies, too. Like, for example, the Brujah...and the Gargoyles. Who are both here? We also have our own personal friends."

<Omnipotent Being> Al Blivious: "…but what about the black death?"

<Fletcher> "Good Question. That, I don't know, but I have my suspicions. We've some blood being tested down at San Cortia Med.

<Omnipotent Being> Al Blivious: "What do you mean having blood tested, what are you talking about..."

<Omnipotent Being> from the window: "He's talking about people like me."

<Fletcher> Fletch tips his head in recognition of Kevin. "Yeah...unless you were talking about something else..."

<Omnipotent Being> Al looks up to the window perplexed. "No, that's not what I saw... There's death in the city. I've seen its face."

<Omnipotent Being> murmur murmur murmur murmur murmur murmur

<Omnipotent Being> "what is he talking..." "...Death?" "...Where?" "...Who is that up..." "...Maybe this isn't such a good..."

<Fletcher> to Al: "You mind telling us what this's about? Herrick, you heard anything?

<Omnipotent Being> Herrick Shrugs

<Omnipotent Being> murmur murmur murmur murmur

<Omnipotent Being> Al Blivious walks to the front, "I've seen the end, I don't remember what the elder's called it, but there was death all around"

<Persia> *looks concerned*

<Omnipotent Being> "it was all one man, but he was everywhere, killing, but not indiscriminately"

<Omnipotent Being> "It was like a black blur, sweeping the streets of our kind"

<Fletcher> curiously: "Gehenna?"

<Omnipotent Being> Al Blivious: "Yeah! But it's all at the hands of one."

<Fletcher> "hmm..."

<Fletcher> *half to Persia* "Almost sounds like an Assimite, to me..."

<Omnipotent Being> Al starts heading back to his spot, sitting down.

<Persia> *nods*

<Fletcher> to Al: "where were you when you saw it? What all happened?"

<Omnipotent Being> Al: "I was sleeping. I saw it in a vision"

<Fletcher> hums to himself, and scratches his chin.

<Omnipotent Being> from the window: "sounds like another Wil, man.

<Omnipotent Being> murmur murmur murmur "…Black Death…" murmur "…Gehenna?" murmur murmur murmur

<Fletcher> Deep in thought turns the floor to Persia.

<Persia> Persia points out that though Marwood may not like them, their best option is probably to support him, rather than work against him. "I'm not here to win any popularity contests, so it doesn't matter if anyone likes me and I'm not here to run for some office, so you can trust me this isn't about ME, it's about helping YOU. I would suggest NOT doing anything that would piss-off Marwood, and possibly even do things to help-out."

<Fletcher> "Heh; make it so that it's hard for him to ignore them. Sorry, Persia, I’d have to disagree.

<Persia> "What!?!?  Ok, Marwood likes me, for some reason, and I’ll stand up for them in his presence."

<Fletcher> "While I think she's right, and that you shouldn't actively undermine Marwood, Nothin you do is going to make him see you any at all."

<Persia> "Well, if we work together on this, maybe we can change the way he views you people."

<Fletcher> "Well, maybe. But I doubt it. I mean, look at that whole road trip scenario...or scouting out the Undercity for him."

<Omnipotent Being> murmur murmur, "Why should we trust him..." murmur murmur, "Why shouldn't we..."

<Persia> "I'm not asking anyone to trust him, or even like him, but at the very least don't piss him off."

<Fletcher> "Well, I doubt any of us would actually go out to try and piss anyone off. That’s just bad policy."

<Omnipotent Being> murmur murmur malicious comments murmur "well..." murmur murmur 

<Persia> "well, I mean be mindful of your actions."

<Fletcher> Fletcher nods.

<Persia> "All I’m saying is that there's a lot of misconceptions on BOTH sides here and if you want to clean those up then you'll have to take the first step. I'll try to help on the inside, on Marwood's side, but you people have to help out as well."

<Omnipotent Being> Jay Random: "Bah, why should it be up to US!"

<Persia> "Because, like it or not, that's the way things are.  He hates you, so you reciprocate…"

<Omnipotent Being> Jay: "With HATE! "

<Omnipotent Being> 20-30% respond with cheers to Jay Random

<Fletcher> Fletcher adds: "He's got a good point, Persia...he seems to have pretty much shown me that he's not willing to be reasonable at all...he found out I was clanless, and blamo, I get the cold shoulder."

<Persia> "Like I said, I’ll try to wok on him on my side, but I need your help.  Otherwise I’m just wasting time…"

<Persia> "Well, look.  If you're happy with your unlives as is, then fine.  Support the status quo; but if you want change, you're going to have to change as well - meet Marwood halfway.

<Omnipotent Being> From here, things just filter down to a morality debate, some people start heading home, you guys can stay as long as you like, the main messages are out now, if you want to add anything else, go ahead

<Fletcher> I get phone lists distributed to everyone...probably though 'mother.' I'll also make another meeting date for sometime later; probably in a week or so, Then I was gonna open up the floor to anything else anyone had to say.

<Omnipotent Being> most people are ready to go by this point, there will probably be more people wiling to talk at the next meeting.