HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES
Most of the Maya logs are casualties of history. Here's one that's not. Maya is in Torpor, and unable to awaken. She needs the help of a powerful friend. But can even the power of Faith save her from the Shadowlands?
Library Vault 1 - Ogrek Manor(#4001RJSh)
This room is BIG. very big. And to think its only one of several,
kept cool and dry to preserve the books stored herein. There is a long
row of shelving, stretching across the whole room.. and most of them are
filled. A door is in the far wall, and in one corner is a sofa, a reading
lamp beside it.
Obvious exits:
Out to Airlock
Murphy looks over at Maya from where he's been meditating all day....and
lays down, so he can more easily leave his body.
This time, you are taken straight to the caves. Maya is kneeling on the
floor in shock...or is it homage? The vampire on the dais is sleeping
peacefully again, in the one cave...in the other, the darkness seems to
hover, silently waiting.
Murphy slips up behind Maya and rests his hands on her shoulders.
She is there, but not-there. It's as if she's trying to make herself very
small, but knows that Cloaking herself will do no good, and maybe more
harm than good. Even in this dreamland, she is willing herself away.
Murphy raises his eyes to the ceiling and sighs heavily, then begins
chanting softly, repeating Maya's name over and over, pouring his love
into her, opening himself to her and flooding her with more and more love
with each repetition of her name.
Maya shudders softly in dream, her Eye half-lidded. She whispers "Go
back..it's not safe here. It's not safe. He might find us." She covers
all her eyes with her hands slowly. "It's not safe. Go back."
Murphy murmurs softly, lovingly, reassuringly, "I'll go back...when you
agree to come back with me."
Maya tenses. "No...I can't be there when..when it happens. It's already
begun. I'm not strong enough..."
Murphy says "Not alone, you aren't. But FEEL how strong you are now, now
that you have my strength, too."
Murphy closes his eyes and focusses all his Love on Maya.
Maya shudders again. "He'll eat us..the way He ate them..."
The scene shifts around you, and you are back in the valley.
Murphy whispers, imperatively, "Then...we'll just have to dig our way
out. From inside him, if necessary. We. Will. Not. Let. Him. Win."
This time, shades seem to flit through the trees..and a book appears on
the ground before you both. Its writing is illegible to you, and a voice
is whispering words it seems you can almost hear, but not quite...
Murphy whispers, "A key....we can do it, Maya. But you must have faith.
You must BELIEVE."
Murphy stares at the book and strains to understand the voices, as if he
can do that much by sheer will.
Maya lifts her head, gazing down into the valley. A light is glowing down
there, seeming to beckon, but it is a cold light. Her gaze drops back to
the book. The voices intensify in passion, but not volume. You can count
different ones..perhaps five, some speaking with accents that are
hauntingly familiar to you.
Murphy murmurs, "That's it, Angel....BELIEVE....you and I together, are
more than each of us alone. And with others who love as we do....there
will be strength enough to defeat it. Perhaps to destroy, but definitely
to seal it away where it can not harm anyone."
Maya touches the page of the book, and it seems to liquefy, to run
through her fingers and up her arm, almost snakelike wrapping around it.
With terrifying speed, it courses up her body, into her Eye and is gone.
Murphy whispers gently, "Can you understand it, Angel?"
Murphy whispers to Maya, "Speak to me, Angel...Speak to me."
Maya lays her hand on the cracked ground. "It's here...I don't want
it...what if He finds it first?"
Murphy covers your hand with his. "What's here, Angel?"
Richard becomes aware of a feeling of Presence, as if someone is watching
over his shoulder.
Richard shudders and looks around the room. He stands and wonders the
length of the walls, pacing.
Maya slowly stands, holding her hand parallel to the ground. She seems to
be drawing something up from the soil, and as she uncoils from her
kneeling position her lips turn red, then smear with what looks like
blood. A glowing shape appears under her hand, pulled up as if by a
magnet.
Murphy shakes Maya suddenly. "NO."
A gust of wind batters both of you, as she completes her stand, and what
loosk like a whitehot bar of metal depends from just below her palm. The
whispers grow louder.
Murphy steps in front of Maya and looks into her eyes. He reaches out and
lays his hands on both sides of her head and focusses into her mind,
reaching....
Maya looks into your eyes and says with perfect, almost eerie clarity
"It's not for me! How can I get it back to him? He needs it, and I can't
go back. If I do, He'll find us!" The whitehot form begins to narrow at
one end a bit, and two smaller bars are sprouting about a fourth of the
way down, curling back towards the lower tip.
Murphy reaches deeper, trying to penetrate Maya's shields with his mind,
as well as his voice. "If he needs it, then he must never have it. NEVER.
He's already found us. We cannot fight him here. If we fight him here, we
will die...RICHARD will DIE.
Maya blinks. Blinks twice. She seems to be groping for words. The bar of
metal continues to shape itself, its form now visibly that of a sword.
Murphy says "Maya. Reach into my heart. FEEL ME. You know it is true."
You say "But he needs this, or He'll..."
Maya suddenly clasps the white blade to her breast. She cries out as it
sears into her skin, then it too vanishes like the book.
Murphy says "Maya. Open your eye. Look at me. Listen to me. The more we
do here, the more we disturb him. The more He awakens. If we do not
leave, he will awaken and destroy us, then go on to destroy those we
love."
Maya's body twitches in the realm. Or was it your imagination?
Richard runs his hands through his hair, becoming on edge. The Presence
has him spooked to the point where he misses the twitch. He eyes dart
back and forth nervously.
Murphy says "Maya. I will not leave you here alone. He will devour you.
Then you will not be able to protect Richard. You will not be able to
protect ANYONE."
The voices increase in volume, as Maya seems to blur in your hands.
Overlaying her like a shadow, there are five (?) figures. They seem to be
the ones whispering..to her? A high-caste Indian woman, a young, dashing
Frnchman of about the Revolution, a matronly German woman..a few less
clear...all whispering to her.
Murphy says "Maya. He is Awakening. The longer we are here, the sooner he
will awaken. If you love us...if you want to defeat him...you MUST come
home."
The figures force her slowly down, out of your hands, to her knees. They
keep whispering, and as one they place a hand on her head. A blessing?
sure looks like it. Then they all turn to you, and an Eye opens in each
forehead...filling the air around you with blinding light. The scene
shifts, and you are just outside your body..and she just outside hers.
Murphy takes Maya's hand and gently leads her into her body.
Maya beats her hands on her inert chest. The cord is thin, still..too
thin. She tries desperately to enter, but can't seem to make it.
Richard puts his hands over his face, shuddering, holding in his anguish
and rage. He feels so alone. Noone with him. No voices to reassure him.
Alone.
Murphy takes Maya's hands in his and gently turns her toward him.
"Maya...I can..strengthen the cord...but....you know what will happen if
I do."
For Richard, the sense of Presence vanishes...but the tension in the air
increases geometrically. The Blood within pulses: something is happening.
Maya looks up, eyes streaming. "I can't get back in! It's like a wall..."
Richard breaths in reflexively but the gush of air doesnt ease him. He
rubs his arms and walks over to the two inert figures. Carefully, slowly
he reaches out to Maya, his hand shaking. In a whisper he says,
"Love...come back to me...I promise I'll do better...this time...this
time I wont let them take you away from me. I wont lose you like I did
the others.
Murphy hugs Maya tight and whispers, "Take what you need from me, Angel.
Take what you can."
Maya looks at Richard, and begins to shake. "Is it..is it the only way?"
Murphy looks at Richard. "Beloved....how close to being bonded to him are
you?"
Maya whispers "One more taste. Just as with you...I knew I couldn't, with
him, and keep the tradition."
Murphy's eyes light up. "I have it! Come and rest with me a minute,
Angel. I'm going to summon someone. A friend. As long as she and Richard
don't fight, she'll be able to help you."
Richard clenches his eyes and blood tears begin to stream from them. "I'd
sacrifice myself if it would help...but I'm not strong enough...I dont
know how."
Murphy pauses...and his face falls. "Damn. No...that won't work. She's a
Mage, not a vampire. I'm afraid, love....it's going to have to be."
Maya kneels by Richard, trying to put her arms around him. "Then...do
what you have to do. Waiting won't make it better..."
Richard says "No weapon I have....nothing..."
Richard feels a chill pass over him.
Murphy kisses Maya's forehead gently and murmurs, "I'm sorry,
Beloved...."
Murphy slips back into his body and sits up.
Richard smiles a little and wipes his eye. He takes the blood from his
finger and runs it across Maya's lips. He shudders as the chill runs
through him. "I can still feel you with me though...maybe for once you
can kiss my tears away...
Maya lies there, silent...
Murphy stands, and walks over to Maya and Richard.
Richard flinches and quickly wipes his face as Murphy stirs.
Maya doesn't move.
Murphy says "She's here, Richard. I just have to help her wake up."
Richard opens his eyes wide. He tries to speak but doesnt find the words.
He looks down at Maya's face and looks alive again and he actrually
smiles. It almost hurts.
Murphy pulls out a scalpel and slices his wrist, then presses the wound
to Maya's lips. He cradles her head as if bottle-feeding a baby.
Maya doesn't move at first, then suddenly she grasps Murphy's wrist and
pulls it to her mouth, sucking hard and deep. The motion is reflexive,
animalistic...not like the old eay she used to drink.
Richard jumps and steps back, eyes open wide in awe and not a small bit
of terror.
Maya makes small, whimpering noises as she drinks frantically...as if
she's trying desperately to stave off the Beast.
Murphy whispers 'Once you're awakened, the bloods supply swiftly tapers
off.'
Richard says "My God....she's alive...Murphy you did it...you did...what
I couldnt."
Murphy whispers reassuringly to Maya, "Shhhhh, Beloved.....you wouldn't
want to end up looking like ME, would you?"
Maya doesn't stop, it may be she can't. Red trickles from the side of her
lips.
Richard says "I've never seen her so hungry."
Murphy gently lifts his arm, tugging it away without jerking.
Murphy mindsends to (Maya): <>
Maya clings to it, trying to follow..
Maya snarls as her food source is removed, and grabs it back to her lips,
eyes not even open yet, but growling low.
Richard isntictively flinches, recognizing the low growl in the back of
Maya's throat.
Richard pulls himself together and yells, "Murphy she's losing it. You
have to pull away and get her calm!"
Murphy mindsends to (Maya): <>
Richard moves closer, reaching out to Maya.
Maya struggles for control, eyes opening, the growls fading...
Richard holds his breath. (oh wait...what breath)
Maya's grip loosens slightly.
Murphy gently draws his hand away and covers the wound while it closes.
Maya can still smell blood...then is dissipates and she husg herself,
still white, shaking.
Murphy gestures Richard over.
Richard reaches out and gently...gently touches Maya on the arm. "Love?"
Murphy mindsends to (Maya): <>
Maya shudders, reaching up to touch her face. She looks up halfway, then
back down again. As if..ashamed?
Richard kneels down and lokos up at Maya. "I missed you."
Maya doesn't seem to react for a moment..then one hand slips into
Richard's hair. "I'm really here?"
Richard says "I hope so. If not I'm having one amazing dream. And I
havent dreamt in a long time."
Maya's forming smile fades, and she shudders. "No. No more dreams...No
more."
Richard reaches up and touches Maya's cheek. "Whatever you want
love...whatever you want." He puts his arms around her and hugs.
Maya doesn't seem to know how to react. She's not pulling away, but it
seems as if she's been shocked to beyond her core, and she's not just
palpably but visibly trembling.
Richard shushes Maya and kisses her cheek. "It'll be ok. It's alot better
out there now...the Storm is over...the healing has begun."
Murphy mindsends to (Maya): <>
You mindsend to (Murphy) with: <>
Maya whispers "I need to eat...I need.." She looks up, around at the
walls, looking almost detatched from her surroundings.
Richard pulls back. "We'll get you food...come on....can you walk?" He
reaches out his hand.
Murphy mindsends to (Maya): <>
Maya slips off the altar, shivering violently. "I'm so cold..."
Murphy looks up thoughtfully and murmurs, "I'm afraid it's going to have
to be *us*, Richard...until tonight."
Richard keeps his eyes on Maya, helping her with his strength. "She can
feed some from me. I fed recently. But I have some stuff on ice as well.
Its a little thin but it will take the edge off."
Murphy nods. "Good."
Maya licks her lips without realizing she's doing it.
Richard says "I've been saving it in case of an emergency. I think this
qualified. "Come on love, let's have some frozen dinners and trhen I'll
give you some dessert when the edge is gone."
Maya nods, following you out as if she doesn't trust herself to not bolt.
Ot maybe it's that she expects everything to disappear...
Richard steps out of the airlock.
Ogrek Manor(#7274RAHJLMhs)
You see a large manor-like estate, large but somehow managing to
blend in with the forest surrounding the area. The compound is walled,
and the front yard - despite the trees and other plants that seem to make
it more spacious - are designed so that the perimeter is easily secured,
and several obvious security devices are mounted all around the place.
The house itself is fairly small but spacious, being partly dug
underground with only the top floor sticking up aboveground. The place
itself is well furnished, and has a hospitable atmosphere created by the
layout of the furniture as well as the design of the rooms. There are
several bedrooms: a master bedroom, a smaller Bedroom, and several guest
rooms. A large kitchen is also present, with a dining room inside. The
walls are covered with shelves of books in the living room, and along the
halls are a few photos, along with the passageway to Ed's library vaults
. The floors are carpeted, but even then you can hear your footsteps echo
throughout the house.
Contents:
Richard
Obvious exits:
Out Airlock
Richard leads you into the kitchen and sits you down. He barely takes his
eyes off youas he prepares the blood.
Maya looks around, fearfully. She looks...you become aware that she looks
like some of the shelter residents, after a very bad night.
Richard brinsg the bag of blood over to you and holds your hand.
"Here...its not very much but its all I have."
Maya drinks it almost entirely too fast, making the porcelain of her skin
look a bit more like mother-of-pearl. Then she leans her head on your
shoulder and closes her eyes. If it weren't for her complexion, you'd
swear she looked bruised.
Richard says "I love you."
Maya whispers softly "And I love you...and when this goes awawy, I'll try
to remember it..."
Richard says "Shhh...dont worry about it love. Let's try to get our life
together again before we face the nightmare. Our light can shine more
brightly together. I have...I have much to tell you.""
Maya presses a bit closer to you. "Hold me..don't let Him get me...I had
something for you, but I think I lost it.."
Richard holds you tight. "No you didnt...everything I've always wanted is
right here in my arms." He kisses your hair. "I feel whole again."
Maya shudders convulsively once. "I know you'll...you'll never let me
fall. But the valley is so deep..."
Richard says "We'll scale it together. Together we'll shine the light."
You say "It burns him..."
You say "It burns us..."
Richard says "Maybe...but...I'm beginning to believe that is why we are
here."
Maya says somethnig in a language you don't understand, a language you've
never heard from her before. It sounds made for vampires, made to work
around extended fangs..
Richard says "What love? I didnt understand you."
Maya sighs softly, and repeats the phrase again.
Richard says "What does it mean?"
Maya opens her eyes. "What does what mean?"
Richard says "What you just said. Some other language. I dont recognize
it but then, I'm not good with languages."
Maya shakes her head. "I don't know.."
Richard touches your face. "You need rest love. Here, drink a little more
from me and then we can rest until you are ready to talk."
Maya whispers "I don't wwant to hurt you..."
Richard says "You wont."
Richard presses his finger to your lip and smiles at you. He looks the
happiest you can remember since the wedding. He looks like a ghost has
been lifted from him.
Maya slowly opens her eyes to behold this..
Richard looks into your eyes and strokes your face. "Drink love..."
Richard brings his wrist to your mouth as he caresses your cheek.
Maya shudders, but can't resist the lure. She bites into your wrist
deeply.
Richard sighs and smiles in pleasure. "Yes...drink..."
Maya does, deep, hard, long gulps. Once again, you are sharing the Kiss
after so long...once again, your existence feed hers...
Richard begins to shudder, after so long....the Kiss is intense and
revives so many tortured emotions as it heals not only you...but himself
as well.
Maya suckles your wrist deeply, the power within you flowing into her,
making her visibly stronger. It seems to last forever..
Richard arches as the pleasure crescendos. Finally the pleasure becomes
too intense and he pulls away, his voice now an exstatic whisper. "Gods I
love you."
Maya starts to follow, then reasserts control. She makes herself lick the
wound closed, then slumps back against you, pressing close as if to warm
herself in you.
Richard holds you tight. He says nothing. After so long, he isnt sure
what TO say.
Maya whispers "I had something...I know I did..something to help..."
Richard says "We'll find it..."
Richard says "But you need to get yourself back together, see what is
going on out there."
Richard says "The city has changed, some for the better...some for the
worse. Alot of people have come and gone."
Maya's eyes open. "How..how long was I...?"
Richard says "Since the storm...almost 2 years...."
Richard drops his voice low....gentle.
Maya closes her eyes again. "So short a time..so..."
Richard says "But the whole world has changed in two years...many have...
havent come back."
You say "I don't blame them..."
Richard is quiet. Too quiet.
You say "Who?"
Richard says "Kristen for one....she died in the storm."
Maya goes even quieter.
Richard says "I couldnt protect her either....but at least I avenged
her."
You say "....who else...?"
Richard says "Melissa...she left. Keemoc....I dont know where he is. He
just...disappeared."
Maya begins to shake a little.
Richard says "Dori....Dori and Adrian are gone too....I think Adrian
died. I dont know how...maybe it was the disease."
Maya sighs softly.
Richard says "I've tried to hold things together as best I can but..I'm
not a very good Prince."
Maya whispers "And I am? It's so cold.."
Richard says "It is. And you were. You were a Prince who cared about its
people. The city is healing Maya...we've survived. Now we have to
rebuild, just like....just like man."
You say "I'm not strong wnough.."
Richard says "Neither am I. But together we will be."
Richard says "We have to be....I wont let Joshua die out there because I
didnt do everything I could to keep him safe."
You say "He knows, love..He's waking up, and the others, and..."
Richard says "And we'll be ready..."
Maya smooths her dress, as if not noticing she has it on.
Richard says "There are souls to save Maya. Every one we do is one more
victory. I know we've lost alot of people....I've...I've watched some of
them go. But there are others...there are new ones as well...some you
alreazdy know."
Maya burrows in deeper.
Richard says "Like Molly and Jamie."
Maya doesn't move.
Richard says "And I think....I think the old man is back."
You say "Who?"
Richard says "Someone I new from Charlotte....Jessamy's uncle."
Maya shakes her head. "I don't know.."
Richard says "I know....I know. I'm not sure but I feel like I'm being
watched again. Its a feeling I havent felt since he was here before. But
that seems like ages ago. It was years though...when I was with Kristen."
Maya shudders again. "There are many watchers..."
Richard says "Like Tam'a."
You say "More..."
Richard says "Then we'll have to watch the watchers."
Richard says "We cant run in fear anymore Maya. I wont lose you out of
fear. I gave my soul to help you...I'm not going to waste that."
You say "You can't see all of them..they float through us, around
us...and we're so blind..."
Richard says "Then we'll have to open our eyes,."
Maya's does...and she looks at you one-Eyed. "Are you Seeing now?"
Richard says "Maybe we just need some perspective. A vacation. We could
go back to the island for awhile, look at what is ahead of us...get you
used to being in a new world...."
Richard pauses to look at you. "All I see is a future that I can shape
and a past I need to find."
Richard says "You are the mystery Maya. You have the secrets."
You say "I can't!"
Richard says "I've tried to find the answers in the books you kept, in
the books Eddy kept....you can. And you can teach me to see as well."
Richard says "You hold the key. I've been on hold for two
years....searching blindly. But you know what we are...who we are, why we
are here."
Richard says "You just have to remember and help me learn who I am."
You say "I don't know if you are...I'm so scared you're going to
vanish..."
Richard says "I'm not going anywhere Maya. I'm your knight remember.
Now...now I'm your priest as well. I've been trying to understand the
knowledge stored in the bus...the dog almost bit my hands off trying to
stop me. I know we are different. That's why we are hunted, isnt it. But
I couldnt put the pieces together without you."
You say "I don't know how to put it together. The book vanished...and the
sword burned."
Richard pauses, trying to understand. "Then we need to find it, right?
Maybe your friend in New Orleans canhelp us."
You say "No! She's Tremere! She'd know..."
Richard says "KNow what? tremere? Are you sure? Why would she invite us
to New Orleans then?""
You say "She did?"
Richard says "Y-yeah...it came in the mail a few days ago...she was
congradulating you on becoming Prince and asking you to visit."
Maya shivers. "Father..you knew.."
Richard says "What are you talking about Maya."
Maya shakes her head. "He knew. He called me for this..maybe he called
you to me too."
Richard says "maybe he did....our relationship has always seemed fated."
You say "He sent me..I should have listened, should have stayed, but
Eddie.."
Richard says "Eddie wouldnt have been safe Maya. He has given us all he
can to help."
Maya nods slowly. "New Orleans, then..."
Richard says "How long has it been."
You say "Years..."
Richard says "For me too. I wonder how much it has changed."
You say "I don't know...Marcel might not welcome me."
Richard says "I would hope your status as Prince here would give him
reason to welcome you. And I'm sure that if he made any noise about it
that Tam'a could sway him."
You say "Tam'a...eternal warrior, she is..."
You say "A daughter of Gangrel herself.."
Richard says "Mmm...maybe."
Maya goes silent a moment, then whispers "I can't think..everything is
shifting.."
Richard says "You need rest. Let's go to bed."
You say "No dreams..."
Richard says "No. No dreams. And when you wake up my arms will be around
you."
Maya whispers "Promise me?"
Richard kisses you. "I promise."
Maya turns her face to yours slowly, kissing you gently, feather-light.
Richard says "I promise I'm real as well."
You say "Take me with you?"
Richard says "always."
Maya slips her arms around your neck, and seems content to drift off
here.
Richard lifts you up into his arms and carries you to somewhere safe.
Maya's dress slips open slightly at the throat.
Richard looks down at the throat and kisses it gently but doesnt drink.
There is a mark there...
Richard lies you down and traces the mark with his fingers.
It's not reddened, but slightly raised. It looks like a sword with curved
hilts.
Richard makes a point to ask later but for now is content to let you
sleep.
Maya goes still again, quickly. For a moment, it's as if she never
woke...
Richard sighs and offers a silent prayer to any god that chooses to
listen. Then he bunks down with his wife, returned to him, and sleeps the
first restful sleep in 2 years.
HOME FIRES MISTS LIFEBLOOD SPOKES