T5: Challenge Accepted

[Ash]

Ash appears exactly in the spot she was thinking about at the time she blew her whistle. She looked down at her hand just in time to watch the used whistle shatter into light and float away.

Its job was done, hers had begun once more.

At her back was the Library she had gone to with Jaixe to research the topics that interested him the most. Specifically, she could remember Diablo and a couple of places that were important to his mind. 

She looked back over her bare shoulder at the solid wood door’s chipped finish. The dark stain was speckled with the lighter wood under it showing the damage. Some might find it symbolic that there was something gorgeous under the darkness. This metaphor was lost on her, or at least so needlessly happy that Ash wouldn’t give two shits even if someone pointed it out to her.

The Demoness stepped out and onto the steps, her nearly naked form bare to anyone lucky or unlucky enough to see her. She caught the colorful graffiti on the walls, decorating it with words that were difficult to read unless you squinted your eyes and cocked your head. She could make out some tags, had she not been on a mission she might stop to layer her own name on it.

Glancing down the other way she could hear hover cars passing the alley’s entrance, the little library almost lost to this world. She watched as a tumbleweed of trash drifted past her view, bouncing across the stage with utter delight. Opposite walls to her were stained with layers of green and red from various liquids oozing out of the pipes that occasionally appeared in the walls or along them. 

Ash grinned to herself. Like when she was hacking a computer, she found a back door and exploited it successfully. In her heart she was a little sad that she didn't get to see her ultra-marine boyfriend, but this way she might live long enough to go meet the man of the hour. Harlan Higgs.

She grinned wickedly. Ash paused long enough to summon two very important things.

First is a set of clothes as it was too dangerous to walk around Tier 5 with nothing on. The blue light began as a single circle at her center and split like a reproducing cell. One floated up and the other floated down, creating a magical girl method of changing her clothes but it worked. When it was done she had on her usual tiniest skirt possible - rust orange in color, skin tight leggings stretch across her ass that vanished behind knee high tight brown leather boots with laces up the front, her bright orange shirt clung to her upper body but only reached down past her rib-cage showing off most of her tattoo along her belly, it’s unusual amount of sleeves is covered by an army green crop-top jacket that was much looser than her skin; its sleeves were rolled up into large cuffs which were held up by brass colored buttons. Lastly, her arms up to her elbows were covered with dark army green and black arm-warmers, the single silver cuff still firmly locked on her arm.

Secondly was a Warp Whistle that sat around her neck. It worked with the ‘combat ready’ look she was going for, but the greens half clashed with her skin color, not by too much. 

Ash fished out a packet of chewing gum out of her pocket while she stepped much more confidently into the streets as she popped two pieces of the fruity stuff into her mouth. As she did it brought attention to both the tongue piercing and freshly summoned lip ring. In her brows were half circles of silver, a much-missed silver ring in her nose, and an almost long lost ring in her navel. From one of her ears hung a peculiar gold key, but the other holes were filled with the usual simple silver rings.

With her habit of gum satisfied and the rest of it stuffed back into her pocket, she used her communicator with the map she’d downloaded prior to decide where to go from there. She was only guessing where a classy vampire might be, but she wasn’t going to get anywhere standing around.

[Harlan Higgs]

It was a couple weeks after the grand opening of Prohibition Alley, and business couldn't be better. Well, in terms of economic success. The "gang war" front was still a hardline, but the boost in resources from the casino earnings had greatly aided the Gentleman Jacks campaign against the Ork and Hutt incursions. They'd suffered a few losses, and lost territory, but it had been made up in other places.

Like the shiny new helicopter currently parked on the roof.

Harlan Higgs sat in the back of the Casino at his personal table, looking at his hand. "Call, and raise." The Twi'lek to his left gave him a curious look, then tapped the table and moved his chips forward. "Match." The betting proceeded around the table, a fat ferengi matching as well as a sharply dressed imperial officer. Then it was back to the Ravnos.

He turned over the last card and grinned, placing his cards down. "Show 'em, boyos. Make or break time." Harlan showed a 9 and a King. With the river, it was a full house. He made as if to reach for the pot, but a clawed hand made it there first. "Not so fast, hew-mon." The Ferengi sneered and showed his cards. Four of a kind.

Well, damn. "You win, friendo. Enjoy." The vampire collected the cards back together and shuffled the deck. "Alright, next round...Minimum is 10k credits, Buy-in is 100k." Just then, Charlie sidled up to Harlan's seat and tapped the boss on the shoulder. "Hey boss. We got something needs your attention." Harlan put the deck down and withdrew a few chits from his jacket. "So sorry, friends. Business to take care of. Enjoy these comp chits on the gaming floor until the Pinkerton opens again."

The Ravnos stood up, cracking his dead knuckles. Usually when this happened, it was a simple matter. Cheaters. Tier 5 had no shortage of wiseguys who thought they could cheat their way to fortune. Although in the recent weeks it was equally as likely to be news of an Ork or Hutt mafia incursion, and Harlan would have to play General.

Either or, it usually involved violence.

[Ash]

Ash rarely needed to drive herself. Typically if she needed to be somewhere you could find her throwing her weight around among the light poles or building tops. If she was ever in a vehicle, it was a common thing for her to be in the back of a cop's car in handcuffs with her bare feet up on the cage and trying to get the officer up front to talk to her. Her casual nature tended to get ignored, but she had once or twice held a conversation with one of them while they drove her to the station. Once at the station, she was usually escorted to a room with a one-way mirror and Grayson.

Grayson was either the only one they liked handling her because he did get results after they played their games and talked their talks. Or because Grayson had a soft spot for the Storm Demon and refused to let anyone else touch his precious prisoner. She sure as hell didn't ever make it easy for him, but he knew what he was getting into when he came to see her. At least by now.

The bike was the best choice though. She wasn't getting very far in the massive underground play-area with her usual transportation. As fruitful as it had been.

From on top, silent like a cat, she'd caught a few words from people here and there. Whenever a trigger word showed up, almost like the game around her was catering to her needs, she'd stop and listen. From several sources, she finally gathered enough information about the area: Little New York.

It had a charming little name, she thought. Kind of unusual in a sense but familiar in another. It brought to the surface of her mind that normally wasn’t there, New York was a town from her own life. She didn't really know much about it except that it was miraculously standing from what they say. With glimpses of conversations that she wish would repeat if she stuck around long enough - it didn't - she pieced what she could. The Gentlemen Jacks, lead by Harlan Higgs himself, was the leading gang in this small bit of the city. The biggest topic of conversation was a brand new casino, which didn't register as important at first. Until she heard some opposing party - apparently - talking shit about how successful 'that fucker' must be to be able to afford an expensive place like that.

After gathering enough to understand that that's where her vampire was, she climbed to a safe spot and summoned a sweet motorbike she saw once. It was sleek, it was silver, and every part of it that could have been filled with the cosmetic lights was. Oh, it was hawt alright. It sent shivers down her body, and that was even before she got on it. Looking like something found in that game Tron she half-heartedly played before trashing it out of boredom, she climbed into the 'cockpit' and grasped the smooth rubber grips. It should be no surprise that even a machine could turn her on when you considered everything with Desman.

It roared to life and the wheels squealed as she held the beast in place. The back tire slid to the left just a little as she was holding it up by her right foot, the left was already tucked out of the way. There were a few animals that scattered out of the trash can with such a loud noise so close by, and then she pushed off of her right and the bike launched forward. The bike lifted to the one wheel as she exited the alleyway, looking like she could almost fly while her hair flew back out of her face.

With perfect balance, she twisted the bike in the air to face the direction of the casino and when it dropped down she was racing towards fate once again. In the back roads and obviously not traveled for one reason or another road, she flew across the city. Ash, always looking for the easy path, twisted and navigated her way through dangerous parts of the city. Even turning around at times because of the traffic in the way of her next section.



Ash pulled up to the doors, slowly letting the bike come to an enough stop to have to hold it up with her foot. She looked the front door over. It was your typical casino without being too typical. Flashing signs to catch the eyes of those with weak souls and low attention spans. She could hear the music from here, and see countless bodies milling about behind the dark windows, just barely through the doors that were being opened to let yet another group of satisfied or unsatisfied people pass through them.

She was greeted by a dark haired boy with an innocent face and a sleek vest. “Hello. Want me to take care of parking?”

Ash’s blank eyes swing over to him, he was just a little alerted by her blind appearance but breathed a little easier when she shared a smile. She kicked the stand into place and leaned the bike on it, sliding off the seat and in front of him. “Well, well.” She said, running her hands up his chest and shoulders, straightening the tie around his neck. “Aren’t you a dear. What do I owe you?”

He had to swallow hard at that. “N-Nothing.” He said, but if it was honestly what he was supposed to it was hard to tell.

The demon just grinned. “Take good care of it, okay?” She said, then pulled him closer to kiss him on the cheek before she began to walk inside. She could feel his eyes on her hips as they swung side to side. She let her tail flow behind her extra slow so he could enjoy the show. A bigger man pushed open the door as she approached, welcoming her in. He got a smile too, “Thanks, hun.” She said before slipping inside.

Instantly she was assaulted by flashing gold and red lights, bells, whistles, the clicking of slots stopping in place, and the sound of someone’s winnings crashing against a plastic cup as the lucky woman squeals in delight. Rows upon rows of machines invited her to come play, but the man of the hour called for her much louder than even the high pitched cries of glee that accompany loud rewarding sounds of a win. Since no one was rushing around to see what happened, Ash simply assumes these wins were small but satisfying and meant to keep people inside.

Her body bounced as she drifted through the main floor, towards the closest and highest point she could reach. She meant to merely mingle until she could find her man and then approach him casually, but without meaning to she advertised her presence pretty openly. Nevermind that she didn’t match perfectly into the background - then again blending in was never Ash’s strongest ability. While the wounds created by Dark Jak’s razor sharp claws have all but healed, the complex and more traumatizing of the injuries was still barely halfway through the healing process. Anyone sensitive enough would smell the intoxicating scent of a mage’s blood clinging to the air around her if they got close enough.

She perched close to the stairs in hopes to catch him on the way up or down. She ordered a fruity drink to look less intimidating and wondered briefly how amusing it was to look up and see a picture of sin drinking a pink cocktail while she kept her eyes out for anything of interest. Specifically Harlan Higgs. It crossed her mind as she took the straw by the tip and guided it to her lips that he might not be there tonight, but even as she sipped the drink through the colorful straw she decided to at least stay long enough for one drink.

[Storyteller]

The Vita Compass Rune blinked on his HUD with an increasing frequency as he neared the target. Imperial Stormtroopers had been steadily cordoning off the blocks that surrounded the so-called Little New York ever since the signal had stopped moving. As official policy, Imperial HQ tolerated the gangs and rabble that congregated so far down in the bowels of the Verse. It was good for the people, made sure they stayed strong, stayed ready. But only a fool would think that meant the Empire wasn’t watching. The Empire always watched. The Emperor always knew.

Brother Gaius stepped out of the lift, mechanized battle suit hissing from the hydraulics that powered the massive figure. He lumbered through the streets with an eager pace. Their security system had picked up a black-listed prime moving through Tier 5 openly. There would be no mercy this time.

---

Harlan Higgs stepped away from the interrogation to address the panic-stricken boy who had burst into the room. The lad was one of the tier’s urchins and Harlan occasionally tipped him for bits of gossip information. The boy was a bit slow sometimes, but doggedly loyal, and that was enough for the Ravnos’s purposes.

“What’s got your knots all twisted up, boy? You look like you’re about to ruin those pants.” He asked with a careful joviality. He needed the boy lucid if he was going to get any useful information out of him.

“Stormtroopers! They’re all over the place! Closing off streets, making barricades! You don’t think they’re going to wipe us out do you?” The boy’s eyes were wide with terror. Harlan shook his head with a confident grin.

“They ain’t shutting down the house yet lad, we’ve barely opened our doors.” He motioned towards one of the men standing nearby, “Get him a meal and some change.”  He ordered before striding off towards the front of the house.

It was all well and good to put on a brave face, but if the Empire was planning to interfere with Little New York than his operation was in serious danger. Harlan was confident in his men. They would fight the Empire if he asked them to. But they would lose. He needed to know what was going on and fast.

He pushed open the lavish double doors and made his way out onto the balcony of the casino. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, the good-natured tension was still in the air, whatever was going on had yet to reach his home.

In seconds however, the illusion of calm was shattered as the front door of the Casino burst inward off of its hinges. A massive figure ducked through  before charging through the shocked crowd. White-clad stormtroopers spilled in through the door, nearly a score of them by Harlan’s quick estimation. He traced the Imperial marine’s path, and his eyes caught the blue-skinned demoness as she pulled a metalic object up to her lips. The Marine launched a white sphere, which struck the demoness before expanding into an opaque shell that pushed the nearby patrons away, hiding her and the Marine from view.

The Static-laced amplifiers of the squadron commander echoed through the room. “This Premise is under Imperial Sanction pending an investigation into ties with a known and blacklisted Prime. Any attempts at interference will be handled swiftly and harshly. No Running.”

---

Brother Gaius smiled as the demon’s warp whistle refused to sound. She looked confused at first, but the imminent threat of the Space Marine made her focus elsewhere quickly.

“Don’t you think this is a little bit much for just little Ol’ me?” she asked with a cocky grin.

“There will be no mercy this time, Demon.” Brother Gaius intoned. Vox amplifiers reverberating and echoing around the isolation sphere. He lifted his bolter rifle, preparing to finish the arrogant demon who dared to set foot in this verse. The Verse he had sworn to protect.
“I don’t care if you serve the Lord of Pain, or the Changer of ways. I will send you to stay with the rest of your kind, now.”

The Bolter opened fire spraying metal and death at the Chaos that encroached on humanity. Sometimes Brother Gaius Astopheles was sure he was doing the Emperor’s will.

Ash has been struck with an Isolation Verse, ensuring a one on one duel with her favorite ultramarine. You have three days to post your end of the fight, with a max. post size of 1000 words. Best of luck (‘cause you’re going to need it!)

Harlan can get involved or claim ignorance as he wishes. Your call here, Higgs.

This has been your neighborhood dispenser of the Emperor’s Justice. Please come again!

[Ash]

His voice sent shivers through her body but not even his authority could distract her from the aimed weapon. She barely managed to keep one step ahead of him, finding the edge of the isoverse with her back as she slammed firmly into it. The distance made his accuracy weak, but that wasn't enough to save her. Her left arm sporadically slammed into the 'wall', the silver cuff rattled like a wind chime.

Brother Gaius took his time reloading.

She clutched her wounded arm forcefully while a grin slid across her face. "Just so you know, I love it rough!" She moaned, finding actual pleasure in the pulsing pain. "Why don't you come over here and take out that pent up stress on my body?" She offered, licking her lower lip seductively.

He shot her a dirty look, his face twisted with disgust.

This made the Deamon pout. Groaning, "Aw. Come now.." Ash smirked once more. "It's just you and me in here, Luv. Tell me your every fantasy... I'll make them true."

The Ultramarine was not pleased and punctuated this by slamming the mag into the ammo slot and aimed. Before he could pull the trigger she was already dodging. Four thick bullets pepper the wall she was just standing against. Neon blue bolts manifested and crackled along her body, her eyes and horns began to glow brightly. In hunter mode, she chased a shadow of hope in a serpentine-like pattern, leaving a trail of midnight blue in her wake while she maneuvered around his shots.

She feigned a punch from her injured left hand, only to kick with her right leg which found his armored arm. It felt like she'd kicked a building. "Just say the word and I'm all yours, baby~!" She winked at him. He responded by punching her with his free arm, which she used a technique to redirect it away from her. This left Ash with her back on his chest. "Don't be shy, hot-stuff, you just couldn't wait to see me again. Could you?" 

Meanwhile, she was starting to upset him. "Save you filthy words, foul deamon spawn!" He said as the urge to kick her like he had those many days ago hit.

Ash responded with a vulgar gasp. She let out another sultry moan as she hugged his armored bicep. "Talk dirty to me, daddy~!" 

He ripped his arm from the impure prime and shoved her away. He raised his weapon once more but she was already focusing energy into her hands, turning to him and spreading them out like she expected him to hug her. Just a moment before he pulled the trigger she clapped. The sound of thunder exploded from her finger tips, his full set of armor rattled in place, the gun clattered to the ground like a cheap toy, and even the great ultramarine was pushed back a mere inch.

His vision doubled as a ringing split his head in half. The blurry image that was his opponent seemed to melt into the white background. Five seconds later he was able to see clearly and he saw nothing but the pure white room. His eyes narrow in frustration as he looked around. He was already tired of this game, now she assumed him to be stupid as well? If she expected him to think she has escaped and will drop the isoverse she will be disappointed. That was a rookie-level mistake

"Neither of us can leave until one of us is defeated, stop wasting my time!" He attempted to bait her. She was dumb enough to trespass, but not stupid enough to reveal her location. He'd have to chase her out. His eyes settled on the discarded gun and wondered if she planned to ambush him.

Ash, as a precaution, fled to be behind the Marine in hopes he wouldn't look behind him. In her hands, there was already a massive charge of energy coming to life. She guessed he'd see it if he just turned around, but held her breath and hoped he wouldn't; concentrating a bit too much on his ass.

There was a silent stillness that filled the area while he bent over and retrieved his gun, like the calm before the storm.

Without warning, Brother Gaius twisted around and fired blindly into the collection of dancing wild sparks that clung to the air, a split second before she released her Chain Lightning and appeared where he guessed she would be. While her attack traveled past the bullets and slammed into his chest, his bullets found their mark as well.

As the engorged bolt of energy surged through his body, Ash was penetrated by the huge forceful bullets, one piercing her heart. She struggled to breathe as she watched the light show. Colbolt liquid oozed from her wounds and turned to ink-like stains against her sweat soaked body or into paint droplets on the floor. She needed a couple seconds to recover.

As the crackling lightning died down she expected him to be unable to move. At worse, she singed his hair. She did see smoke rising from his armor, but what was left of her heart sank when she saw him start to move immediately. "No more foreplay? Will you at least rip my clothes off!"

Ash watched her lover cast aside the gun before pulling out an intimidating blade and charge at her. She braced for his attack, but nothing would prepare her for his massive sword slamming into her; hard and fast. The wounded demon coughed up a large amount of blood, then laughed softly.

"What's so funny.." He sounded as sympathetic as ever.

"I knew I'd have you inside me by the end of this, but I wasn't expecting it to be so big." Her hands grabbed the sides of his head and pull him down into a heated kiss, smearing her unholy blood upon his lips. Satisfied she pushed away and released her final attack right against his temples.

WordCounter.net
1,000 Words.

SP Used: 1 of 4
T1 TRANSFORMATION: STORM DEMON
Current Stats:
ATK: 4
DEF: 1
SPD: 5
TEC: 5

Ash Used(In Order):
Thunder Clap
[spoiler]
Requires: Strength Prof and Debuff prof.
Used at close range, no further than 5ft away, Ash takes up a defensive stance and fuses her palms with magic just before smacking them together in a clap making the spell instantaneous. This creates a white sound wave that explodes from her hands to throw the target off their feet harmlessly, and up to 10 feet back if they are particularly light. The power of this attack is gauged by how wide her hands are when she claps; the wider her hands and the more force she uses the more powerful the clap. (At least 1ft[30cm] apart to activate, and up to 5ft[1.5m]. Power meaning bigger targets need more force to be pushed down.) This leaves a harsh ringing in their ears and deafens a target for 5 seconds, leaving them confused and disorientated, as well as open to any sneak attacks.
The closer the target and the more distance between her hands before she claps risks real damage to the eardrums, which can be healed by normal means after the fight. (This is fodder.)
Ash can do this as many times as she can endure the painful sting in her hands after each smack. (Usually, only 3-6 times in a row without rest, depending on how hard she claps. She can do it more than this, but risks damaging her hands.) While its not that strenuous on her energy, it hurts her hands which are important to her. This is used more for defense and crowd control, but cannot be performed while moving or in combination with other moves; however as soon as the sound wave leaves her hands she can act normally. 
[/spoiler]
Chain Lightning
[spoiler]
Requires Ranged Attack Prof, Debuff prof, and Area Attack Prof.
Ash concentrates for 15 seconds - as long as she remains unharmed she can maintain this concentration while moving but cannot use any other action  - to charge up a large amount of destructive blue electrical energy which she then releases at a target within 20 feet of her. It strikes as fast as natural lightening at the intended target, and continued to course through the group of people with little to no slowing or lowering of power. Hitting up to seven people almost simultaneously, the electricity jumps randomly from the original target to the next within 3 feet but never back as it follows the direction its casted. She can only control the aim of the spell to the first person but cannot control it enough to spare any friendlies in the group if any. No one is safe from becoming a lightning rod except herself as it does not move backwards.
On top of a powerful shock, enough to tear through the flesh (and flesh like substance) it touches and can leave multiple painful smoking rips in the body, every successfully hit target suffers paralysis for 10 vulnerable seconds. In these spare moments, Ash and anyone who can still move, can attack the paralyzed target(s), bind said targets with whatever will work at the time, or steal what they deem valuable at the time.
Ash can only do this move twice a fight before she needs a rest as it is very draining, and really should only have to do it once.
[/spoiler]
Shocking Grasp 
[spoiler]
Requires Physical Prof and Debuff Prof.
Bright blue lightning sparks to life around one or both of Ash's hands. (Having it in both hands does not increase its power in any way, it just looks cool.) Ash's hand(s) continue to pulse with electricity until she makes a successful touch attack, or voluntarily releases the energy from her control. (If she does choose to continually ready the attack, it drains Ash of her energy faster.) Once she touches someone, friend or foe, the electricity transfers and shocks the target. Depending where on the body she got her attack off, it hurts more or less. This move can stun a weakened opponent.
[/spoiler]

Also made use of Burst Movement, Supression/Stealth combo, Insight/Forsight. Physical Prof.

[Storyteller]

Brother Gaius reeled backwards, his runes flaring an indignant red as the electricity coursed over his ceramite armor. The Space marine grit his teeth and planted his stance, weathering the storm demon’s barrage of desperation with the discipline of the Empire’s will. His flesh charred and cracked as the dying demoness poured all of her remaining power into the attack. Acrid smoke started to hiss from between the cracks. The last of her energy spent, Ash sank down, hand reflexively going to the massive blade still wedged in her gut. The Space marine stood immobile, the hilt of the sword dropping from his hand as Ash fell backwards.

The suit of armor stood resolutely above her for a moment, its colors vivid against the blank whiteness of the isolation verse, then the space marine toppled forward with a loud crash, the bulk of the armor coming down on her right leg. She let out a yell of pain, struggling to prop herself up on her elbows as spots started to swim in her vision.

“Are you really that easily finished? So disappointing.”  the demoness coughed weakly, blood trailing from her mouth. Her leg was quite effectively pinned under the armor’s weight, getting away from this situation wasn’t going to be simple.
 
The whiteness of the isolation verse started to fade, slivers of the outside world starting to peak through. Ash leaned her head to the side, trying to catch sight of the other imperial soldiers who had accompanied the space marine. The casino had been more or less emptied, aside from a few stragglers, the only occupant seemed to be the owner of the establishment, discussing in earnest with the squadron’s commanding officer. The man would almost have to be Higgs.

There was a sharp pain in her abdomen, that jerked Ash’s attention back to her present situation. The Ultramarine had planted an armored fist on the hilt of the blade, and was using it as leverage to force himself back up. Ash cried out in pain as the Space marine staggered up onto his knees.

“By… the Emperor’s will.” Came the unsteady voice of Brother Gaius through the marine’s Vox-caster “I banish you… Demon!” the Space marine lurched forward, one hand clutching a purple etched disk that he slammed onto the demoness’s forehead.  A circle of black lines shot out of the ground around her, pulling the prime into the floor and out of sight.

The Isolation verse faded, exposing the battlefield to the casino at large. Brother Gaius Astopheles lay face down on the floor, his sword gone with the demoness and his bolter discarded nearby. Imperial stormtroopers swept into the area, two moving to check on the unmoving ultramarine.  The Squadron commander turned away from Harlan Higgs to get a report. The casino owner had proved entirely unhelpful as to the blacklisted prime’s intentions, if he had any idea why she had returned he was too good at evading the questions to let any information away.

“Report!” the squadron commander ordered.

“The target has been exterminated sir. Brother Gaius is unresponsive and his condition diagnostics are way in the red. We’re going to need evac. STAT if he’s gonna have any chance of making it out of this.”

“Understood, get the cleanup detail down here to profile any possible connections the prime was trying to contact.”

Harlan Higgs just watched, a slightly baffled and well-intentioned grin on his face. He stayed benevolently useless and out of the way as the Imperial troops asked a few more questions. Finally, thankfully, the soldiers seemed to be wrapping up their investigation. Higgs allowed himself a slight moment of satisfaction. The imperials either hadn’t found any information on his activities or his current plans weren’t enough at odds with the system to be crushed just yet.

One didn’t get around the Empire by sheer force. You had to learn to play their games better than they did.

Ash has been banished, and will respawn into the Underverse. Apologies for the delay in rendering a verdict.

Harlan hasn’t done anything high-profile enough for the Empire to mess with him, though you are now in their database as a potential connection to a black-listed prime. Nothing was proven so there won’t be any direct consequences.

Ash and Harlan are no longer engaged in a storyteller situation, and may resume posting as they wish in their new locations.

[Harlan Higgs]

Harlan surveyed the broken lobby of his casino and the leftover mess from the Imperial intrusion. OH well. Costs of doing business. He'd been raided more than once before, and cops were the same everywhere. Shock and awe, and nary a hand left to help clean up the damage from their paramilitary storming. He didn't think it would be wise to bill the EPD for damages, though. No. In any case, this was another good opportunity for community outreach. Hire some local citizens as labor and style it as a renovation. Not to mention the news buzz Prohibition Alley would receive from being visited by one of the Emperor's personal guard. Still, though...

Who -was- that girl?

Harlan whistled, and motioned to his majordomo. A bald, scarred man ambled over and nodded at the gang boss. "Charlie, I want you to do me a solid and find out what you can about that dame. She brought a hell of a lot of heat into our little establishment, and I intend to turn that to my advantage." The vampire rubbed his temple, adjusting the grey derby upon his brow. "We're gonna need all the edge we can get, with this fuckin' war heating up. Speaking of which, see if you can find Luci, too. We gotta square some business up."

Charles nodded and sauntered off into the casino's upper levels to put the word out to the rest of the gang, leaving the Ravnos mulling over the few broken tables and wreckage from the battle's climax. There was blue blood staining the floor in spots, and he wrinkled his nose, smelling the sharp tang of vital fluids. Hmmm...

Stepping over to a particularly large puddle, he knelt down and wiped a finger into it, inspecting the azure fluid, before gingerly licking it with a dry tongue. Almost instantly, his head spun, and he felt forty feet tall, towering over the casino floor before his perception narrowed again and rocketed back into his skull, the vampire reeling from just a taste.

Splitting his lips into a sinister grin, he looked at the blood spattered all over, and hissed a single word. "Mage."

Now he really wanted to find this girl.