*comment ñáéç…— *hide_reuse *advertisement *temp knowsCultsBad false *if sirethoughthewasagod or stlouis_cult *set knowsCultsBad true *temp interlocutor "Bailey" *temp ia false *if revolutionary_credentials < 50 *set interlocutor "Aichinger" *set ia true *if eliot_rapport > 60 *set interlocutor "Eliot" *set ia false *temp west_prob false *temp status_from_odonnell false *if m_sib and patricide *set west_prob true *temp com_gudhrun ((speaks_english or speaks_french) or speaks_german) A few months later, you find yourself socializing with ${interlocutor}. "Have you heard the news?" he inquires. "What news?" "@{ia That [i]Wikingerin[/i] has been appointed|We have a new governor}." "I'm sorry?" "Gudhrun has been named Governor by Consul Stone. She will administer her province from St. Paul, and it includes both St. Louis and Chicago." "That is quite the appointment. Is there even a quaestor there?" "There is not. It is…unprecedented, to my *if interlocutor = "Eliot" knowledge. Like our mortal kin, it seems as though there is a land-grab happening. The west calls even to those whose blood no longer flows." *elseif interlocutor = "Aichinger" knowledge. It is an [i]Anschluss[/i] of the west." *else knowledge." "Were there even members of our kind there?" "@{ia [i]Ja,[/i] of course. But I do not know them|Surely, but they are strangers to me}." "Does that mean a new Senator will be elected?" you inquire. "@{ia So many questions!|I can't say.} Can the population of that city even support one of our kind? Much less three or four?" "Should Memeskia take it as an honor that he was not removed from his position?" "Do you @{ia |truly} think Memeskia would be sorry to see his title removed?" *choice #"I suppose not." ${interlocutor} smiles, happy that you have reached the same conclusion as he. #"Wouldn't you?" *set discretion %-5 "I would, but you did not answer my question." "I cannot speak for the Quaestor." @{(interlocutor = "Eliot") He laughs. "Dear ${given_name}, always playing coy."|"I suppose others find your circumspection charming."} You try to smother your reaction to ${interlocutor}'s dig. #"Yes, of course he would. How could he not?" *set discretion %+5 ${interlocutor} shakes his head. "I think you have not been paying attention, ${given_name}. Memeskia was cajoled into the role of Quaestor, he did not seek it. He wishes to go back to the days when this country was populated by his people. If all the Europeans and Africans and Chinamen went home or died tomorrow, he would not shed a single tear." You nod in deference to ${interlocutor}'s judgment. "In fact, I suspect that we will host the Governor again soon," ${interlocutor} continues. "Oh?" "She will wish to look Memeskia in the eye. Perhaps to answer this very question for herself." "Why St. Louis, and not Chicago?" @{ia "Because she knows how foolish that would be."|"Clarifying her relationship with Memeskia will lay the groundwork for challenging O'Donnell."} *if ia "Foolish?" "I would not set foot in a city that did not want me there. I value my existence too highly." *page_break If Gudhrun's attendance last time was an event of note, this time it is even more so. Bécard has come from Jefferson City, @{heard_of_fragala Fragalà from Kansas City,|} Yates from Chicago, @{(applethorp_alive = 1) |and }Partridge from Louisville@{(applethorp_alive = 1) , and even Dido Applethorp from Memphis|}. @{((first_memphis_reception_attended = 1) or (second_memphis_reception_attended >= 4)) (It takes very little prompting for Partridge to visit St. Louis.)|} @{heard_of_fragala |There is even a vampire whom you don't recognize—someone ravaged by leprosy, as best as you can guess. }Everyone convenes once again at Schnaider's. *if (applethorp_alive = 1) *if applethorp_rapport > 55 When Dido sees you, her face splits into a huge grin. "Well, hullo." "Hello, Dido. I'm glad to see you awake." "Thanks to you." "How is Apollo?" "He is good. He says hullo." "Why are you here? Is Memphis assigned to the new province?" "Nah. But Apallah thunk it'd be best if'n Ah came anyways." "And Memphis?" "Them damn generals. They is still at it. We gots one now…he's gettin' on in years, but he still makes a heap o' trouble for us. Tommy Latham. We gots tah put him in the ground." *if year > 1900 "What's he doing?" "He bought up all the water for the city! And now his wife's gone and made a park for that beast Forrest. She's buildin' a statue for 'im an' everything. Thinks we wants to see his ugly mug every day. If Apallah would let me, Ah'd melt that damn statue down myself." "And why does Apollo not just kill Latham?" @{knows_hardings_plan "Yus knows as wul as we does: that bitch Elinor. She'll jus' send anuddah wun."|"Deh state gov'ment wul jus' send anuddah one. They gots them Confed'rat generals an' kernals commin' outta their ears."} You chuckle. "Yes, I suppose you're right." Before you can continue further, the room is called to attention. *else When Dido sees you, she barely seems to register your presence. You offer a curt nod as the room is called to attention. *elseif (applethorp_alive > 1) and ((perception > 0) and becardeliot_romance) Bécard and Eliot are certainly looking chummy. The stand close to one another—much closer than most vampires can stand to stand to one another. Especially in public. *elseif heard_of_fragala = false The other vampires greet the leper with familiarity. Björnsdotter enters. She gives thanks to Memeskia for hosting her this evening and offers a few words regarding her vision for the province. *if perception > 2 There is a peculiar dance between her and Memeskia—neither one is willing to submit to the other. *if memeskia_rapport > 55 Then again, you cannot imagine Memeskia submitting to anyone. @{(independence < 40) You try to keep yourself still; all this standing-on-ceremony makes your skin crawl.|} *if com_gudhrun "What are you going to do about West?" someone asks. Heads crane, until everyone realizes that it was Senator Partridge that spoke. "Is there news of West?" the new Governor asks. "Yes. He murdered one of my progeny last month. He is ranging far and wide, hunting the least of us," Partridge affirms. "One of mine as well. Two years ago," @{heard_of_fragala Fragalà|the leper} chimes in. @{(compassion < 50) At a moment like this, you might expect some expression of condolence—some recognition of what it means for a parent to lose a child—but Gudhrun offers no such gesture.|} "I defer to Memeskia on this. But I suspect that his answer will be the same as mine: until a pattern can be discerned in West's movements, we will be at a loss," Gudhrun replies. Partridge's face remains rigid. @{(perception > 2) You sense that there is something more to this tale than Partridge is sharing. Regardless, this|This} was not the answer that he was looking for. "Is there anyone that he is known to care for? Living or undead?" "Other than his scion, Quaestor Memeskia…" Bailey begins, "@{(sire_name = "West") and his other scion, ${mr} ${surname}, here, |}I know of no one else, living or dead." *if (sire_name = "West") She looks at you. "I have not seen him or spoken with him in some six decades," you announce before she can even ask the question. She turns back to the room at large. "Well, he gravitates around St. Louis for some reason, yes? He must care about someone or something here. Either that, or he simply finds the prey sufficiently…plentiful." *if west_prob Or, it could be someone pretending to be West, trying to draw out his murderer—you. *else You consider the matter for yourself. *fake_choice #I suspect he's here because of Memeskia. *if (m_sib) #I suspect he's here because of me. #He's here because the vampires are sparse and disorganized. *if (lore >= 3) #Could some other force be controlling him? If so, what would their objective be? Without a firm answer, the vampires remain at something of a loss. "Is there anything else?" Gudhrun asks. She is met with silence. *if sod_founder = "duplessis" This is not an auspicious start to her tenure. The vampires of St. Louis offer their congratulations—whether sincere or manufactured—to the new Governor. *else *set heard_of_vdaniels true "Then I have something else to inform you of. The Quaestor of Cleveland has been destroyed. Most likely by mortals." That sets the room abuzz. "Mortals? Hunting us?" Bailey exclaims. "What did you expect?" Partridge replies. "Of course they're going to come for us eventually." "Quaestor Daniels was young," Gudhrun interjects, before thinking better of herself. "He was young…and what, Governor?" Bailey presses. "He was young, that is all," she replies. Her stance clearly indicates that this line of questioning should end now. Bailey, ever the diplomat, drops the matter. "Allow me, then, to be the first to congratulate you on your appointment, Governor." With that, the vampires of St. Louis pay their individual respects to her. *else Once again, the audience is conducted in English. Partridge begins, expressing some sort of concern—Eliot whispers that West consumed Partridge's scion—but these concerns find no resolution. *if sod_founder != "duplessis" *set heard_of_vdaniels true Further, it is disclosed that the Quaestor of Cleveland—Vernon Daniels—has been destroyed by mortal hunters. Eliot is horrified by this revelation. Björnsdotter listens to these concerns assiduously, her presence radiating confidence. There are some small gifts presented. Afterwards, Partridge@{(applethorp_alive = 1) , Applethorp,|} and Bécard each offer their @{(independence < 40) sweet nothings|congratulations}. *comment Maybe Indianapolis as well? *temp yates_advocate 1 *if com_gudhrun Finally, Yates clears his throat and steps forward. "Congratulations on your appointment, Governor. My dominus wishes to convey his respect and submission to you, and looks forward—" "If he wished to convey his respect and submission, why does he not do so in person?" Björnsdotter interrupts. Yates clears his throat again. There is a saying that has become popular of late: don't shoot the messenger. You suspect something of that sort is running through Yates's head right now. "He extends his sincere regrets. He had business to attend to.…" "So he will attend me in St. Paul soon?" "I believe that he will make every effort to do so." "'Every effort,' he says—" she's now addressing the room, "—no, that coward will never set foot in St. Paul. But he'll send you, Mr. Yates, into the lion's den on his behalf. What do you think about that?" "Excuse me?" "Are you a mouse? Will you squeak for us?" "I'm sorry…" "I have my axe around here somewhere," she says, facing the room at large. "Should we see if this mouse squeaks?" @{(perception > 1) You note that Memeskia seems intrigued by the idea.|} *comment TODO can there be a way to get Yates's arm severed? *choice #I let this play out. Whatever dominance the Governor wishes to assert is hers to assert. *set independence %+5 *set discretion %-5 *goto bjorns_unleashed #I have never seen a vampire behave in this way. How far will she go? *set independence %+15 *goto bjorns_unleashed #"Will you cut off his limbs until he squeaks, Governor?" *set yates_advocate 3 *set robert_yates_rapport %-20 *set revolutionary_credentials %+10 *if status = 0 *label low_status_interrupt *set bjornsdotter_rapport %-10 *set memeskia_rapport %-10 *set bailey_rapport %-10 "Is that squeaking that I hear?" Björnsdotter says. "I feel like I heard another mouse! Memeskia, do you have a rodent infestation?" @{(eliot_rapport >= aichinger_rapport) "Shush, you fool. You have no place to speak here," Eliot whispers.|"[i]Stille![/i] You should be seen and not heard here," Aichinger whispers.} *label bjorns_unleashed "Where is my axe?" she wonders aloud. "Squeak?" Yates whispers. Björnsdotter's eyes light up. "There! I knew it!" Her head darts around. "Do I hear it again?" "Squeak," Yates says, louder this time. "Oh, heavens! A mouse has wandered into my lair! Whatever shall I do?" she says, her hand plopping down on Yates's shoulder. "Squeak!" Yates erupts, eyes wide. *gosub squeak "Good mouse. Now, was there anything else we needed to discuss?" *goto general_convo *elseif status = 1 "Yes, ${mr} ${surname}. That is exactly what I intend to do." She rolls her eyes, as though you have completely undermined her performance. *goto bjorns_unleashed *else *set bjornsdotter_rapport %+10 *set aichinger_rapport %-10 "What an interesting idea! What do you think, Quaestor, would you mind if we tested the theory of ${mr} ${surname}?" Memeskia's face @{(perception > 1) is|remains} impassive. "I think that's a yes! Sigrid, will you fetch my axe?" "Governor," Aichinger interrupts. "Please, we have enjoyed such a lovely evening so far. Why should we ruin it over the…disrespect…of someone who is not even here?" "But, Herr Aichinger, have you not determined that lessons learned in blood are the best lessons?" It is around this moment that Sigrid appears. She carries what you can only describe as a Viking battle-axe, only writ large. Neither the head nor the haft is particularly ornamented, but it is much larger and more @{(discretion > 50) impressive|intimidating} than any a mortal would use. Gudhrun must not shy away from using the immortal strength of her frame to wield it. "Squeak!" erupts from Yates's direction. "I hear a mouse!" Björnsdotter says. "Squeak squeak!" *gosub squeak She raps the haft of her axe on the ground twice. "${mr} ${surname}, it seems we have found our mouse. No dismemberment necessary. I'm disappointed." *if discretion >= 50 "As am I, Governor." "Perhaps we will find some other form of entertainment, then." *else "Perhaps Herr Aichinger is right?" "Perhaps." *goto general_convo *label squeak Björnsdotter looks directly into his eyes. The two vampires are about the same height, yet Björnsdotter could have a hundred pounds on him. "Go back to your mousehole, little mouse, and tell your mouse-chief that this lion expects her due." "Yes—" Björnsdotter raises her hand. "Squeak if you understand." "Squeak?" *return *if (discretion > 35) #"How can you torture this poor man like this, Governor?" *set yates_advocate 2 *set robert_yates_rapport %+10 *if status = 0 *goto low_status_interrupt *elseif status = 1 "${mr} ${surname}, if I wanted your opinion, I would have asked for it." "But Governor…" Another glance from Björnsdotter silences you. *goto bjorns_unleashed *else *set robert_yates_rapport %+10 "${mr} ${surname}, you are a respected citizen of St. Louis. @{(revolutionary_credentials > 50) Why would someone of your station seek to interrupt my lesson?"|But you are also known for your errant sympathies. Do you seek to save your compatriot from a well-deserved lesson?"} "I'm simply concerned that you would taint such a lovely evening with bloodshed between our kind. Should the Rule of Restraint not also apply to dismemberment?" "We have a sophist in our midst." "Do you really want your first act as Governor to be one of cruelty?" *label general_convo Bailey claps his hands together. "With business aside, I believe that there are some refreshments in the next room.…" *else At this point, Robert Yates steps forward and confronts Björnsdotter. The two exchange heated words—you spy Yates quavering—but eventually the matter is set aside without the two coming to blows. Bailey claps his hands, drawing attention to himself, and announces the presence of refreshments in the next room. And so the welcoming of the new Governor is concluded. *page_break Aichinger and Bécard retire into the next room to enjoy the refreshments. *temp inside true *choice #I introduce myself to Yates. *set robert_yates_rapport %+5 *set revolutionary_credentials %-5 *set odonnell_rapport %+5 *temp convo_time 0 *if yates_advocate = 3 *if status >= 2 Yates's eyes are slits when you corner him. "Yes, ${mr} ${surname}?" "I simply wanted to introduce myself." "After calling for me to be dismembered?" "It was a jest. Besides, you would have survived." "Perhaps we should feed your hand to a wolf?" "A wolf would have no interest in my dead flesh." "No, I suppose not. But I find the thought amusing." "Yes, well, I wanted to ask you something." "Go on," he says. *else "You just advocated for me to lose an arm." "Yes." "And you think I would like to speak with you?" "Why not?" Yates turns and goes into the next room. *goto court_end *elseif yates_advocate = 2 *set robert_yates_rapport %+5 "Thank you for your intercession. You very well might have saved one of my limbs." "You're welcome. I'm ${given_name} ${surname}." "Please, call me Robert, a pleasure to meet you." *else "Hello, I'm Robert." "A pleasure. I'm ${given_name} ${surname}." *label further_yates_convo *if inside = false @{(convo_time +1) |The performers are singing their hearts out. You almost feel bad that you can't pay more attention to them.|The music has reached something of an interlude, wherein the villain offers his monologue. He recounts his dastardly plan while the audience stretches their legs and orders another round of beer.|The music swells. You suspect the performance is coming to an end.|The performance has come to an end. Around you, the patrons have returned to their steins and private conversations.} *if convo_time > 3 *if robert_yates_rapport >= 50 He smiles. "It's getting rather late, ${mr} ${surname}. Perhaps we can continue this another time?" "I'd like that, Mr. Yates. Enjoy your stay in St. Louis." "I shall." *goto court_end *else He frowns. "It's getting rather late, ${mr} ${surname}. If you will forgive me…" "Yes, of course." With that, Yates exits your presence. *goto court_end *choice *if (convo_time > 1) #"Is Quaestor O'Donnell worth this loyalty?" *set convo_time +1 *if robert_yates_rapport > 45 *set robert_yates_loyalty %-10 "Have you been free of your dominus for long?" "Over half a century," you reply. "I have been so long in his company, I have difficulty conceiving of what life would be beyond the reach of his gaze." "And yet you do wonder." "Perhaps I do." *else *set robert_yates_loyalty %+5 *set odonnell_rapport %-5 "I'm not sure why you would think that is an appropriate question to ask." "Sending you here, alone…" "Your disrespect of Quaestor O'Donnell will be noted." *if inside *goto court_end *else He stands and leaves you in the suddenly quiet garden. *finish Next *if ((knows_about_stakes = false) and ((lore <= 2) and met_andrew_jackson)) #"Something has been bothering me, and I don't know whom else to ask…" I ask Yates about stakes. *set convo_time +1 *set knows_about_stakes true Yates looks at you quizzically. "You're not intending to use one against me, are you?" "Would I be asking you what they do if I did?" "No, I suppose not." He glances around the room, observing the interplay of the other attendees. "A wooden stake through the heart of a vampire will render them immobile. Paralyzed. Conscious, but incapable of moving. For a time, anyway. Eventually, the need for blood will overwhelm them and they will become insensate." "That sounds…dire." "Pray that it never happens to you, ${mr} ${surname}." "I shall." "As you can imagine, it is the closest thing that we have to a prison. Trapped within our own minds, until some passer-by plucks the splinter of wood from our chest." You nod. "Horrible." For the briefest moment, you reflect on your encounter with Andrew Jackson, as well as ${maddox}'s attempt to murder Dido Applethorp, before turning your attention back to Yates. #"Have you spent much time in St. Louis?" *set convo_time +1 *set robert_yates_rapport %+5 "No, I have not." "What do you think of it?" "You do not have the stink of the stockyards, so you have that in your favor." "Stockyards?" "Yes. There is a whole city of hogs within Chicago." "A city of hogs?" "It is how we defeated @{((ethnicity = "yankee") or (male and (ethnicity = "german"))) the Confederates|you}." "How do you mean?" @{(ethnicity = "southern") You try not to let that rankle.|} "The Union concentrated their meat production for the war in Chicago. Did all the slaughtering in one place and shipped it to the front as needed. Much better than the Confederacy's reliance on local resources. "And now, Chicago has engulfed the city of hogs, and I wonder who rules there?" *if (revolutionary_credentials < 45) #"Should we discuss your dominus…elsewhere?" You have demonstrated your devotion to the Loyalists; perhaps your deeds have carried beyond St. Louis? *set convo_time +1 *set inside false *set robert_yates_rapport %+5 "Yes, let us adjourn to the [i]biergarten[/i]." The two of you bid adieu to the gathered vampires and head into the night. Finding a seat near the performers, you hope that the singing will make eavesdropping difficult. "Your dominus, how does he stay openly defiant of Stone?" "Our kind are reticent to engage in open warfare. We do not have armies marching from city to city, crushing our enemies. It would be challenging to dislodge a quaestor who has been ensconced for over sixty years." "Expensive, you mean." "Yes, very expensive." *if yates_advocate = 3 *set robert_yates_rapport %+15 He pauses a moment. "I must ask. Why did you provoke the Governor?" "I can't let them think we're friends. Not as long as this mouse is in the lion's den." Yates nods sagely. *if (yates_advocate = 2) and (status = 0) *set robert_yates_rapport %+10 *set status_from_odonnell true He pauses a moment. "Why do you tolerate these traitors? They clearly do not care for you." "I have found no others." "Let us see what I can do about that," he replies. #"What do you do for fun?" *set convo_time +1 *set robert_yates_rapport %+10 *set robert_yates_baseball true Yates laughs. "Of all the questions, that is not the one that I expected." "No? Does no one take interest in you?" That stops his laugh short. "No, they are interested in Seamus." "Well, tell me, how do you pass your immortality? It cannot all be serving as a messenger." "Actually, I am fascinated by this new sport, base ball." *if memphis_baseball "Yes, I remember when I first noticed the game in Memphis. Mostly because the fever made people anxious to attend the games." "Yes, the fever. It was wretched, wasn't it?" @{bloodsweats "You have no idea."|"It was tragic."} "But the game? Have you watched one?" "I can't say that I have. They tend to be only during the day." "Of course! But you should make every effort to see one, given the opportunity. A team was just reörganized here; they're called the Brown Stockings." "Thank you for the advice." *else "Base ball?" "Yes. They have sticks, and they try to hit a little ball 'out of the park,' as they say." "And why do they do this?" "I can't rightly say, but I cannot get enough of watching it." "I wonder if they have base ball here?" "They do! St. Louis has a team called the Brown Stockings. They just completed their first season! You should go see them play sometime." *goto further_yates_convo *if (applethorp_alive = 1) #I approach @{(applethorp_rapport > 50) Dido|Applethorp}. *gosub applethorp_in_stl_convo *goto court_end #I chat with Senators Bailey and Partridge. *temp convo_time 3 *set bailey_rapport %+5 *set partridge_rapport %+5 *set revolutionary_credentials %+5 *temp partridge_present true "Ah, ${mr} ${surname}," Partridge begins, "@{(partridge_rapport > 50) so good to see you again!|you're still with us.}" "@{(partridge_rapport > 50) Thank you, Senator.|So I am, Senator.}" "What can we do for you?" Bailey interjects. *label bailey_loop *if convo_time = 0 "I believe the night has slipped away," Bailey says. @{partridge_present "So it has," Partridge concurs.|} "I wish you goodnight, then," you conclude. *goto court_end *choice *if (partridge_present and ((cockerill_condition = "executed") or (cockerill_condition = "lynched"))) #"I'm sure you've heard about that newspaper editor…" *set convo_time -1 *set partridge_present false *set shepherd_credentials %+5 *set bailey_rapport %+10 "He got what he deserved," Bailey says. Partridge looks askance at his partner. "Oh?" "The Slaybacks were noble servants of our country…" "Whose country, John?" "You know what I mean, Samson." "No, I'm afraid I don't." "We have only one country…" "You didn't like Mr. Cockerill because he made the Slaybacks out to be fools. And rightly so. They were traitors." "They were not traitors to the founding principles of this country." "Founding principles which cast legions of innocents into bondage." "If that was their lot in life, who am I to argue?" "I…I can't," Partridge says. "If you will excuse me, ${mr} ${surname}." "Of course, Senator." With that, Partridge goes in search of fairer conversations. *if ((perception > 2) and partridge_present) #I seek to speak to Partridge alone. @{notice_partridge_betrayal Perhaps he will tell me why he betrayed Stone's cause during the Memphis caucus?|} *set convo_time -1 *set discretion %+5 Bailey has been momentarily distracted by Aichinger and you have seized the moment. Partridge scowls at you; has he anticipated your question? *set partridge_rapport %+5 "I was @{(compassion < 50) sorry|disappointed} to hear about your offspring, Senator." "Thank you. It was a significant loss." "Had they been with you long?" "Just a few years as a vampire. But some time before that as well." *if (maddox_status = "west") and ((compassion < 60) and (wilson_embraced_by_withers = false)) Some small part of you wantsto tell him that West did the same thing to you, taking ${wilson} from you after decades of service concluded by your turning him. But then you'd have to explain why ${maddox} was still alive, when you were told in no uncertain terms to find and kill him by Quaestor Carothers. Is this why vampires say so little to one another? Because every thing they might wish to share is also a secret that would condemn them to death if taken the wrong way? Finally, you manage a response: "It must be difficult, knowing the murderer is still out there." "Yes, very difficult." *if notice_partridge_betrayal "Senator, something has been bothering me since the caucus in Memphis…" *if knows_hardings_plan and (stlouis_cult or (stlouis_enterprise = 8)) *set knows_partridges_secret 3 It's then that you put the pieces together. @{stlouis_cult You've heard about a rival cult|Due to you contacts among the mediums and spiritualists, you have heard about a cult} in Louisville. Partridge@{stlouis_cult , like you,|} has a cult; and Quaestor Harding both knows and has used it to blackmail him. Your eyes go wide with the realization. @{(discretion > 50) "You are…" you begin.|Your mouth tightens, but he sees and understands.} Partridge stands and blocks your line of sight with the rest of the room. "Unless you plan on squandering this particular chit right now, I'd suggest dropping the matter." "I understand," you reply. At just this moment, Bailey draws his conversation with Aichinger to a close and returns to you; you appreciate his return, as it will take you some time to ponder this@{stlouis_cult and what it means for you|}. *goto bailey_loop *else "John!" Partridge interrupts, calling to Bailey. Bailey draws his conversation with Aichinger to a close and returns to you. That was…a more dramatic response than you were expecting. Whatever it is, he does not want to talk about it. *else *set partridge_rapport %+15 The short, clipped answers are frustrating you. He seems both genuinely happy that you want to speak to him, yet too suspicious to engage in any real conversation. Whatever is bothering him, it does not seem that he will acknowledge it this evening. Instead, he directs the conversation to the recent resurgance of revivals in the area—from Indianapolis, to Louisville, to Nashville, to St. Louis, preachers have been stoking religious fervor in the populace. He is unsure what it means, but is wary of the potential consequences. A moment later, Bailey rejoins the conversation. #"Do we need to worry about Quaestor O'Donnell?" *set independence %+5 *set revolutionary_credentials %+5 *set convo_time -1 "Worry?" Bailey inquires. "Yes. He sends his envoy…" "Yates? No, I don't think we need to worry about him. In time, O'Donnell will see the error of his ways. Or, at least, the wisdom of abandoning them." "You really expect for him to change his mind?" @{partridge_present Partridge snorts at your question.|} "No, not at all," Bailey replies. "What sort of ally can he be, then, if he proffers lies?" "The only sort of ally a vampire can have: one who is sufficiently cowed as to be unwilling to betray you." "Are all your allies of such fidelity?" "The ones that I would count as allies? Yes," he replies. @{partridge_present You can see Partridge wondering what he is to Bailey.|} #"Do you intend to stay in St. Louis indefinitely?" *set convo_time -1 *set bailey_rapport %+5 *if partridge_present *set partridge_rapport %+5 Bailey looks at you askance. "That is a peculiar question," he begins. @{partridge_present "But not totally inappropriate," Partridge jibes. "Louisville would love to have you."|} @{partridge_present Bailey rolls his eyes at his companion.|} "Our kind does seem to relocate as new opportunities present themselves; Gudhrun is an example of such. Who knows what sorts of opportunities will arise in the future?" "I admit, Oregon does seem appealing." "Oregon? Whyso?" "The legislators there are seeking to avoid the racial strife of the past. By excluding all colored individuals from the state, harmony abounds. That sounds like paradise to me." *if (ethnicity = "african") and (compassion < 65) "So I would not be welcome there?" you proffer. "Oh, ${given_name}, you're one of the good ones. I'm sure we could find a way to let you in." "No, thank you. Why would I want to be a part of such a place?" Bailey cocks his head, as though to say, "why wouldn't you?" *if partridge_present but Partridge interjects instead: "Do you support Liberia, then?" "Very much so! It seems an ideal solution to our troubles." You follow upon on Partridge's question: "Then how much have you donated to the Resettlement Fund?" *else but instead counters with, "If Oregon is so bad, then how can anyone support Liberia?" "Are you saying you support Liberia?" you retort. "Very much so! It seems an ideal solution to our troubles." "Then how much have you donated to the Resettlement Fund?" *elseif (ethnicity = "choctaw") and (compassion < 65) *set bailey_rapport %-10 "So, will they support another pogrom against the Paiute and the Coquille? And all the other tribes that have been there longer than you colonists have been on the continent?" "Oh, ${given_name}, it's not the Paiute that are the problem. It's the freedmen." "So, each to our own place then? Would you have the tribes retire to their own lands?" "That does seem ideal." "And the settlers would leave those lands?" "Just so!" "There's the door," you say, gesturing. "This land is all our land. Go back to Europe." "Oh, ${given_name}, you always take things too far. I meant more like Liberia. A place that you can call your own." "Liberia? You support that project?" "Very much so! It seems an ideal solution to our troubles." "Then how much have you donated to the Resettlement Fund?" *else "Do you support Liberia, then?" @{partridge_present Partridge seems very interested in Bailey's opinion on this.|} "Very much so! It seems an ideal solution to our troubles." "How much have you donated to the Resettlement Fund?" Bailey huffs. "It's not my responsibility to contribute to that fund. Let the freedmen pay that bill themselves—or the Republicans that wanted them freed in the first place." *if partridge_present *set partridge_present false "So, after centuries of enslavement, we set them free, but demand that they pay their own way home?" "Do you expect for me to pay for it, Samson?" "It's the least you could do, John." "I will not…" "Enough, John," Partridge interjects. "${mr} ${surname}, if you will excuse me," he says, departing in search of fairer conversations. *elseif justice < 45 "But not those who brought them here at a profit, or those that profited from their servitude for centuries?" "Certainly not! No one should be given things by the government; to be given something means taking from someone else." "Was their freedom not taken from them first?" "Two wrongs do not make a right, ${mr} ${surname}." You realize at this point that pursuing this particular thread will bear no fruit. *else "Then whose reponsibility is it?" "They must make their own way," Bailey replies. "But I know it is none of mine." The answer hangs in the air for a moment as you decide to change the subject. *if (knows_hardings_plan = false) #"Why do you think no one was chosen to be the Senator of Memphis?" *set convo_time -1 *set independence %+10 *if partridge_present Partridge shifts in his seat. "Because the Senate could not come to an agreement." "Come now, I thought elections such as these were decided beforehand and that the election itself was simply theater," you reply. "Then apparently you were incorrect." "It seems a pity that everyone spent so much effort to assemble, only for nothing to come of it." "Yes, a real pity," Bailey interjects. Something passes between the two of them@{(perception > 2) ; disappointment on the part of Bailey and shame on the part of Partridge, if you're not mistaken|}. There is something that they are not telling you, but it is clear that you will not persuade them to divulge any more on the matter at the moment. *else *if (bailey_rapport > 65) and (revolutionary_credentials > 65) *set knows_hardings_plan true *set notice_partridge_betrayal true Bailey looks over his shoulder at Partridge, who has found other companions. "Quaestor Harding was blackmailing Samson." *if heard_of_harding = false "Quaestor Harding? Who is that?" Bailey cranes his head at you. "Harding is the quaestor of Louisville, where Samson is the senator. She and Carothers are broodmates." You frown. "And she was blackmailing Partridge…to not vote?" *else "Blackmailing him? To not vote?" "Yes." *if intelligence > 2 *if heard_of_harding = false "Does she support Stone?" "No, not at all." You think on that a moment. Whatever her exact motives, you conclude that *else You know that Harding is a Loyalist, which means that whatever her exact motives, it was more important to her that Memphis not have a senator at all than it was for it to have a Loyalist one. *else *if heard_of_harding "But she's a Loyalist, isn't she? Why *else "Wait…does he support Stone? Or does she side with Adonis?" "She thinks Stone was misguided." "If she's a Loyalist, then why didn't she just have him support Pickering?" "Apparently it was more important to her that Memphis not have a senator at all." You peer at the back of Samson Partridge's head. What could Harding be holding over him? And what is so important to Harding that she would trade a seat on the senate for…spite? Against her broodmate Carothers, no less? *set heard_of_harding true *else *set bailey_rapport %+10 Bailey throws a glance towards the back of Partridge's head. "I suppose it was because the Senate could not agree on a suitable candidate." "Aren't these things decided in advance, with the event itself being simply theater?" "Not always, ${mr} ${surname}." "I suppose I'm surprised to hear that." "If I have learned anything in my time, ${mr} ${surname}, it's that politics is a messy business." "So it would seem," you say with a smile. #"How will we bring down West?" *set convo_time -1 *set independence %+10 "Bring down West?" Bailey exclaims. *if partridge_present "Yes, funny how ${he} says, 'we,'" Partridge continues. "You mean…" "We—" Bailey says, indicating himself and Partridge, *else "You sound surprised," you reply. "We—" Bailey says, indicating himself and the now-absent Partridge, "—will stay one step ahead of that slathering beast, have no fear." "And you would leave the rest of us to die in his maw?" "For a debt, I'd be happy to extend my protection over you." "What sort of protection would that be, if you will not face him?" "Make the trade or not, it matters little to me," Bailey retorts. "Thank you for the offer, but I decline, Senator." *goto bailey_loop *if (eliot_rapport > 55) #I suggest to Hiram that we feed in the next room together. *set eliot_rapport %+10 *set compassion %-5 The two of you retire to the next room. There are men and women of various sorts, reclining on couches and trying to stay awake. Aichinger and Bécard are in opposite corners of the room, "deep in conversation" with their respective vessels. Following the subtle gestures of Hiram, the two of you settle on a young man, who greets you with a smile. Within a few minutes, you are both fang-deep in the flesh of the man. His gasps are sonorous, and send shivers of excitement along your forearms. Amid the feast, your eyes lock with Hiram's. Whatever the endurance of your emotions, in moments like this, desire floods you. Without quite realizing it, the two of you press yourselves against each other, rubbing each other's pallid skin that is momentarily warmed by the mortal's blood. You steal what peace you can from these moments of frenetic vulnerability. Your heart again stills and your skin begins to chill. The desire fades from your lips. Hiram coughs nervously. The two of you stand and compose yourselves; you must return to being vampires. *goto court_end *if (status > 1) #@{met_bjornsdotter I privately congratulate the new Governor on her appointment|I introduce myself to the new Governor}. *set independence %+10 *temp convo_time 3 Gudhrun turns to you as you approach. "${mr} ${surname}?" "Yes, governor." @{met_bjornsdotter |You are somewhat surprised that she knows your name; but you suppose you shouldn't be.} @{met_bjornsdotter "Congratulations on your appointment."|"Welcome."} "Thank you." *temp just_discussed_od false *label gudhrun_loop *if convo_time = 3 *if met_bjornsdotter "How have you found St. Paul since last you were here?" "It is not home, but it has its echoes of home." "What do you miss most?" "The smell of herring." "Herring?" "I have lived with the smell of smoked herring for hundreds of years. Suddenly, it is gone. Sometimes, they bring it in by boat or on the railcars, but that is different from smelling the process of smoking it. But surely you did not want to hear me speak of herring." "In fact, I did have something I wanted to ask you…" you begin. *else "Tell me…" you begin. *if convo_time = 0 *set met_bjornsdotter true Another moment passes. You observe that the other vampires in the room have begun to disperse. "Perhaps I should excuse myself. It has grown late, and Herr Aichinger seems to want to see us out." "You are not wrong," she replies. *goto court_end *choice #"What are we going to do about Quaestor O'Donnell?" *set convo_time -1 *set discretion %+5 *if revolutionary_credentials > 45 *set bjornsdotter_rapport %+5 *set revolutionary_credentials %+5 "You are to the point, I see." You nod. "It will be difficult to dislodge him. A quaestor worth his blood will be deeply enmeshed in his city. It would take an exceptional soul to infiltrate the city and dispose of him." "Can't you…I don't know…" "Hire the Pinkertons and have them assassinate him?" "Yes, that would obviously violate the Rule of Reserve…" "Which is not to say that using mortal pawns to dispose of an unwanted rival has not been done before. But remember, his death wouldn't be a cure-all. It would be better to convince him to support Consul Stone, even if only nominally." *set just_discussed_od true "Then, I suppose, you have a plan for that?" "Perhaps. And perhaps, in time, you will play a role in that plan. But first we must become better acquainted." "Of course, Governor." She nods benevolently. *else *set bjornsdotter_rapport %-5 "We?" she says with a snort. "I respect your influence in the Society, ${mr} ${surname}, but you have not made a name for yourself as a supporter of Consul Stone." "No, I can't say that I have." "Then perhaps you should stick to less…dangerous subjects." #@{(discretion < 65) "How are you acclimating to St. Paul?"|"You left Copenhagen for…Minnesota?"} *set bjornsdotter_rapport %+5 *if discretion >= 65 She smiles at your candor. "It's not exactly the radiant courts of Europe, no. But I'd grown too soft there. Too many nights of indulgence. I miss working with my hands. I miss the scratch of furs not quite keeping out the cold…" "Are you planning on retiring to the woods and making yourself a log cabin?" "No, I suppose not. But the woods are vast and deep, and I look forward to exploring them. And many mortal related to me have already settled there; it's like home, only better." "And how long before St. Paul becomes as decadent as Copenhagen?" "Point made, ${mr} ${surname}. I cannot answer that. Fifty years? One hundred? Two hundred? I have seen several centuries pass already; and yet, I have a hard time imagining what the future will bring to this quaint city on a river." *if (watching_james) #"The James-Younger gang finally splintered when they tried to rob a bank in Minnesota…" "If you're asking if I had anything to do with that, no, I didn't. I had only just arrived in Baltimore at the time." "Ah. That's too bad." *if carothers_ford_reveal = false *set convo_time -1 *set carothers_ford_reveal true "Quaestor Carothers did play his hand well there." "Excuse me?" Gudhrun smiles a private smile. "It may have taken him several years, but Carothers succeeded at unmasking the Ford brothers' networks in the Memphis area. When they went through town one time, Carothers confronted Charlie Ford." "Confronted?" "What else do you call it when you surprise a mortal with the weight of your presence and compel them to betray their brother-in-arms?" @{(ethnicity = "choctaw") "We would call that Afterbirth Boy. The unwanted or unexpected twin, who is found amid the afterbirth."|"I'm not sure that I have a word for that."} @{(ethnicity = "choctaw") That gives her pause. After considering a moment, she continues:|} "I suppose I would call that brother Loki," she observes. "I didn't realize he had it in him." "You would be amazed at the things that you become capable of as the decades pass, ${mr} ${surname}." #"Why did you not attend the Memphis caucus in '77 or '78?" *set convo_time -1 *set independence %+5 *set bjornsdotter_rapport %+5 "I intended to, in fact. For the one in '78, anyway. But the consequences of Quarrington's death were still being felt in Baltimore, and I simply couldn't leave." @{(perception > 2) You can sense that she's dissembling, but you can't discern about what, and it would be improper to accuse her of lying.|} *if heard_of_quarrington "I'm sorry to hear that, but it is surely for the best. You heard about the plague." *else *set heard_of_quarrington true "Quarrington?" "The Quaestor of Cumberland, Maryland. A notional title, yes, but the railroads through that town made it an important chokepoint. When he was murdered by rioters in the Uprising, it sent shockwaves through the Society." *if (discretion > 60) and (withers_rapport < 45) *set bjornsdotter_rapport %+5 "Not unlike the title of Quaestor of Vicksburg?" Gudhrun purses her lips as she bites back a smile. "Something like that." "And the caucus?" *elseif ((discretion > 60) and (independence < 40)) or just_discussed_od "Are you so sure it was rioters?@{just_discussed_od As you said, sometimes we employ mortal pawns.…|}" @{just_discussed_od "Obviously, you are capable of drawing your own conclusions,|"I'm sure I have no idea what you mean,} ${mr} ${surname}," Gudhrun replies. You start to reply, but she cuts you off. *else "I had no idea!" *line_break *line_break "As you can understand, then, I was unable to attend the caucus in Memphis." "Well, I'm sure you heard about the plague there." "Yes, of course. And how horrible for everyone involved.@{(applethorp_alive = 1) | I heard that Quaestor Carothers had to put down his own scion.}" "It was horrible. *if (applethorp_rapport > 65) and ((applethorp_alive > 1) and (compassion < 40)) Dido was a special person. Her loss was a blow to everyone who knew her." *set carothers_rapport %+5 Gudhrun peers at you. "That's quite the statement to make about one of our kind." "She was not really one of us. She was better than us. I wish…I wish I would have been better to her." Gudhrun clearly does not know what to make of your flowery words. Finally realizing how uncharacteristic they are, you decide to change the subject. *else @{(applethorp_alive = 1) |And Carothers was bereft; I can think of nothing more difficult than being presented by a choice like that.} But we survived." "So you did." *if ((sire_name = "Padre Carlos") and sire_alive) #"Did you meet my dominus, Padre Carlos, in Baltimore?" *set convo_time -1 *if sires_faith = "observant" *set bjornsdotter_rapport %+5 She nods sagely. *elseif (sires_faith = "faithful") or (sires_faith = "self") *set bjornsdotter_rapport %-10 She grimaces. "Praetor Carlos is your maker? Of course he is." She sighs. "He will do a fair job in the role, though I fear he may be a bit young for it." Young? That is the first time anyone called Padre Carlos young in your presence. You know that he was turned…sometime in the early 1600s. But she's right, by some estimations, that is still quite young. @{(sire_rapport > 55) "I'm sure that he will excel in the role."|"He'll be fine. He always is."} "Without a doubt. We shall all tremble when he announces his impending arrival." "Better than not announcing it," you quip. "We are in agreement there." *if (heard_of_carlos and ((sire_name != "Padre Carlos") or sire_alive)) #"Will you call for @{(independence > 50) Praetor|Padre} Carlos to deal with West?" *set convo_time -1 *set independence %+5 Gudhrun eyes you suspiciously. "Are you saying that your city cannot defeat this monster?" *if discretion > 55 *set bjornsdotter_rapport %+5 "Yes." She is clearly startled by your candor. "Not many of our kind would be so candid about their failings, ${mr} ${surname}." "It's not a failing. *else *set bjornsdotter_rapport %-5 "I didn't say that…" "But you want to imply that I am already failing in my station as governor?" "No, certainly not…" "Then what are you trying to say? Spit it out. Or do I need to fetch my axe?" "What I meant to say is that West is over a thousand years old! He bathes in the blood of our kind! What can we do against that?" Gudhrun glances in the direction of Memeskia. "West is not the only old one in St. Louis, ${mr} ${surname}." Of course Memeskia is old…but is that all Gudhrun means by this remark? #"Is there a Senator yet for St. Paul?" *set convo_time -1 *set independence %+10 "No, but I suspect there will be one soon." "Do you have an eye on a candidate?" "Come now, ${mr} ${surname}, you cannot expect me to interfere in the workings of the Senate?" "No, of course not, Governor." *goto gudhrun_loop *label court_end Looking around, you realize that Memeskia is nowhere to be seen. Has he fled his own soirée? But the night is getting late. Sigrid is at Aichinger's elbow, and both of them are standing by the door, prepared to usher the guests out. A few curt goodbyes and you are on your way. *if status_from_odonnell *page_break *if status > 0 *bug *set status +1 *set revolutionary_credentials %-20 Some weeks later, you receive a most peculiar note in the evening post. It seems that Quaestor O'Donnell has recognized you for calming a tense situation between his scion and the new Governor of St. Paul. It seems that you are, once again, a full member of the Society. *comment *page_break *comment TODO Civil Rights Cases, 83-10-15 *finish Next *label applethorp_in_stl_convo *temp via_gudhrun true *if year >= 1903 *hide_reuse *set via_gudhrun false *if via_gudhrun = false You catch up with Applethorp outside the exhibit of Yoruba tribespeople. "Are these your kin?" "Ah think so. Dey look like mah momma's people. She would sing ta mean when Ah was little, afore bed." "Do you remember the song?" "Ah've tried. Ah've talked ta all sort uh folks, tryin ta figure it out. But Ah think her people were jus all taken." *if (ethnicity = "african") or (ethnicity = "choctaw") "So many were." "Iz hahd to think dat dey jus ain' no mo'. Dem folks lived dere fuh centuries, and den dah colonists came an' dey all gone. Deir tongue, deir stories…all dat remains is dis song in my head dat Ah can't remembuh dah words fuh." "What about them?" you say, gesturing to the tribespeople before you. "Dey kin, but dey ain' her people. Ah axed. Day wun ovah dere, she knowed dah song, but she don' remember dah words eider. Ah think her gran mighta been related, but she gone now too." *else "Taken?" "Uh course. Dah whole people. Rounded up, put on ships, brung here. Dere ain't no more o" *elseif applethorp_rapport > 55 "Congratulations on your new gov'nah." "Thank you." "Is you fittin' in here?" *choice #"I am." "Ah's glad to hear it. Now, what'd you wann talk about?" #"No, not really." "Ah's sorry to hear it. It takes time to make friends in a new city." "Friends?" "We don' have to just associate with other suckers. Ah don'." *comment she uses "suckers" as slang for vampires. #"I think it will just take time." "Ah can 'magine. It takes time to make friends in a new city." @{(compassion < 50) "The moreso for our kind."|"I'm not sure why I would need 'friends.'"} "To each their own." *else *set applethorp_rapport %+10 *set carothers_rapport %+10 "You're awake." "Ah is." "How are you? How is Memphis?" "We gots a bunch of Confederates in charge of the city. It's mighty shitty, ifn you askin me." "Why doesn't Carothers just kill them?" @{knows_hardings_plan "You knows as well as we does: that bitch Elinor. She'll jus send another one."|"The state gov'ment will jus sen' another set. They gots them Confederate generals an' colonels commin' outta their ears."} You chuckle. "Yes, I suppose you're right." *label begin_applethorp_convo *set spoke_stl_applethorp true *temp convo_time 3 *temp knows_hester_dead false *label applethorp_convo_return *if convo_time = 0 *if (apollo_and_hester = "met") and (knows_hester_dead = false) "Ah should also tell you. Miss Hester done passed on." "Hester Carothers?" "Yeayah. She done pass on in her sleep @{via_gudhrun last month|abouts twenty years back.}" "I'm glad that she and the Quaestor were able to meet." "So is Ah." *if (compassion < 50) or (independence > 65) "Please, extend my condolences to the Quaestor." "Ah wuls." *page_break The night is getting late. *if via_gudhrun *if year > 1900 *bug "Ah suspect we should be sayin our goodbyes," she observes. "Yes. I can sense Aichinger getting anxious." *if lied_to_carothers_about_pb = 2 "Here he comes, in fact," she says. Approaching, Aichinger clasps his hands together. "So good of you to come, Ms. Applethorp." "Thank you, Mr. Aichinger." "It seems so many residents of Memphis come this way. I hope you make it back in one piece." "What do you mean?" she asks. *if charm > 2 *set applethorp_rapport %-10 Realizing what he is about to say, you interrupt him. "He simply means that it has not been a smooth transition for me. And we all hope that you get home safely." Aichinger seems surprised that you interrupted him, but before he can reassume control of the conversation, you spin him off in the direction of Gudhrun, and escort Applethorp to the door. "He's…" she begins. "A charmer, yes," you reply. "But you should go now. I look forward to the next time we have the opportunity to speak." She scowls at you; you're not wrong, but she's also suspicious of you. "Good night, ${given_name}." *else *set lied_to_carothers_about_pb 3 *set carothers_rapport %-40 *set applethorp_rapport %-30 *set carothers_humanity +1 "Well, besides ${mr} ${surname} here, there was that ${maddox} fellow." "${maddox}?" she inquires, looking from him to you and back again. "Yes, that was his name, wasn't it, ${given_name}? He was in the area for a while, before West went and ate him up." Applethorp blanches. But then the significance of this disclosure strikes her. "You lied to Apallah?" "I…" "I don' want tah heah it. G'night," she says, storming out of the [i]biergarten[/i]. Before you leave yourself, you shoot Aichinger a glare; *if revolutionary_credentials > 60 he seems delighted by this turn of events. *elseif (revolutionary_credentials >= 40) he seems indifferent to your plight. *else he seems chagrined by his inadvertant disclosure. *return "Is he doin' dat all duh time? Standin' by the door and waitin' fuh erreybody to git?" "I'm afraid so." "Ah'll make sure that Apallah knows ta' steer clear uh dis town." You chuckle. "That's probably wise. It was good to see you." "An' you, ${given_name}." *return *else *label yoruba_exit The Yoruba are putting out their cookfires and preparing for bed. "Ah think they wants us to git." "I think you're right." "Well, it's been good to chat with you, ${given_name}." "And with you, Dido." *if sire_name = "West" "Be careful out dere. Ah knows better'n most what an evil maker can be like." "Any suggestions?" "Ah wish Ah did. All Ah can say is to outlive 'em. But that ain' so easy when he be huntin' you down." "You are right there." "G'night." *return *choice *if (via_gudhrun = false) #"Tell me about Memphis? How is Quaestor Carothers?" *set convo_time -1 @{(applethorp_rapport > 55) Her face splits into a huge grin.|} "He is good.@{(carothers_rapport > 50 ) He says hullo.|}" "Why are you here?" "For the fair! Ah's been lookin' fo'wad to it for uh lon' time." "And Memphis?" "We is done with them damn generals. They was causin' all sorts ah problems. But they gone now." "I'm glad to hear it." "But jus' cuz they ain't the boss no mo' don' mean they don't have power. But now they use that power to change the law—they makin' new laws lef' 'n right to put all us black folks in jail. An' now the girl dat's been writin' all 'bout it, they gone and run her off." "What do you mean?" "This journalist by the name o' Ida. They gots her fired from her job as a schoolteacher, and then they burnt down her newspaper. Now she done gone up to Chicago. Ah hears she gone and got married. It's good that she found a lil' bit of peace." *if (ethnicity = "african") and (shepherd_credentials > 45) "If you mean Ida Wells, yes, she has married, but I doubt she has found much peace. Not in this country. Not with our skin." "But at what poin' do we just start burnin' it all down? They ain' never gwine give us nothin'." "We simply have to take it." She nods. *goto applethorp_convo_return *if ((knows_about_stakes = false) and ((lore <= 2) and met_andrew_jackson)) #"Did you ever figure out why ${wilson} tried to stake you?" *set convo_time -1 *set applethorp_rapport %+5 *set knows_about_stakes true Applethorp smiles at you. "Ah asked Apallah 'bout dat. He tol' me dat a wood stake through dah heart of a vampiah knocks one out cold." "For how long?" "Apallah says forevah, unless someone goes and takes dat stake out." "That sounds horrible!" "Why, yes, yes it do." *if (via_gudhrun and ((harding_animosity_known > 1) and (carothers_ford_reveal = false))) #"Has Carothers made peace with Quaestor Harding?" *set convo_time -1 *set carothers_ford_reveal true Applethorp laughs at that. "Nah, Ah don' think dat wul evah happen." "No?" "Dere is too much bad blood b'tween dem. An' you can guess who Ah believe in." "Of course, you are his offspring…" "Ah tells you, Apallah ain't no dummy." "That's clear." "Wul, he finally gone an' got rid uh dat James fella." "Jesse James?" "Sure, das him." "Carothers got rid of him?" "When dat Charlie Ford came through Memphis awhile back, Apallah made friends wid 'im. Good friends." "And now James is dead." "So he is." *goto applethorp_convo_return *if ((via_gudhrun = false) and (carothers_ford_reveal = false)) #"What schemes has Carothers been perpetrating?" *set convo_time -1 *set carothers_ford_reveal true "Schemes? Wut you think he is, uh robber-baron?" You shake your head at that. "No, but I know that Jesse James was a thorn in the side of Carothers." "An' now he be dead." "As are both of his assassins." "Wul, Charlie couldn' handle wut Apallah axed o' him." "Carothers…asked Charles Ford? To kill James?" "Axed. Told. When we wants somethin' from duh beats, who can say how it gits done." "The beats?" "Duh ones with duh 'art-beats." *goto applethorp_convo_return *if (clay_street_foundation) #"How is the Clay Street School faring?" *set convo_time -1 *set applethorp_rapport %+20 *set carothers_rapport %+10 "So dat was you?" "Guilty as charged." "Dat was mighty good o' you tah do. Those chillins be dah best dat Memphis has tah offer. Dey is already makin' Memphis a bettah place." "I'm glad to hear that." "Dey say its named for Clotho, that woman who was stirrin' up dah trouble for Mr. Barnum?" "So it was." "What was your dealins with her?" *choice *selectable_if (compassion < 65) #"I loved her like no other." *achieve human_contact *set applethorp_rapport %+30 *if atrocities > 5 *set atrocities -1 Dido's eyes soften. She reaches out and takes your hand in hers. Suddenly, your face is wet with tears of blood. @{applethorp_human_contact You held Dido once while she cried, decades ago. But since|Since} becoming a vampire decades ago, no one has touched you so simply. Sure, you've fed from humans and touched others in lust, but no one has held your hand out of simple compassion. When the tears don't stop, she steps closer and pulls you into an embrace. You do your best to catch your bloody tears with your handkerchief, lest you ruin her clothes. You're on the verge of sobbing. She doesn't shy away. She simply holds you until the tears stop. *page_break *if via_gudhrun *set aichinger_rapport %-5 *set bailey_rapport %-5 *set partridge_rapport %-5 *set eliot_rapport %+5 *set becard_rapport %+5 At some point you become aware of the other vampires in the room. Applethorp may have done a good job obscuring the sight of your tears, and vampire blood does not evaporate as quickly or as noticeably as fresh human blood, but the other vampires have noted that something is amiss. You pull yourself together. With Applethorp's help, you clean up your tears. *return *else Here, in the Exhibition, displays of emotion are quite common. None of the passing mortals take note of your moment of vulnerability. *goto yoruba_exit #"She was a strong advocate for the school. I thought her worthy of the honor." *set discretion %-10 *label deny_clotho "Ah sees. Wul, that was good o' you." "I'm simply happy to hear that it continues in its mission." "So it is. You should be proud." #"I had a passing fancy for her." *set discretion %-5 *set compassion %+5 *goto deny_clotho *if (((stlouis_affair = 3) or (stlouis_affair = 8)) or (stlouis_affair >= 13)) #"I was infatuated with her at the time, but now I have found another." *set compassion %-5 *set discretion %+5 "Oh? Who is dat?" "Her name is Annie Jones. Perhaps you've seen her handbills; she is known as 'The Bearded Lady.'" Applethorp gasps. "Ah do! Ah saw her when she done come to Memphis with the circus! You and her? Nah…" "Yes!" "Well, Ah'll be tarred and feathered. Ah wish you dah best with her." "Thank you," you reply with a secret smile. *if (founded_school_for_the_blind) #"How is ${blind_school_name}?" *set convo_time -1 *set compassion %-5 *set applethorp_rapport %+5 *set carothers_rapport %+5 *set knows_hester_dead true *if apollo_and_hester = "unaware" *set applethorp_rapport %+30 *set carothers_rapport %+45 *set carothers_humanity -2 "Dat was real clevah o' you ta find Miss Hester." "It was pure happenstance." "But you found her, an' you took right good care o' her. An' you didn' ask for anythin' in return. You didn' even tell Apallah." *if (priest and (rationalism > 40)) or ((rationalism > 65) and (religious_tradition != "pagan")) "'But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth.'" "You sz uh godly @{male man|woman}." *goto resolve_generosity *else "I have my own reasons." "Wul, we appreciates it, wutevah dey is." *goto resolve_generosity *label resolve_generosity "And the school?" "The school is good. Dey doin' some real learnin' ovah dere." "I'm glad to hear it." "Miss Hester did good wid wut you started. Now dah white folks and dah black folks is givin' dah school money." "And Ms. Carothers?" "Ah is sorry tah say, but she done passed @{via_gudhrun last month|abouts twenty years back.}" @{(compassion < 50) A frown creases your face.|} "I'm sorry to hear that." "It had ta happen sometime, Ah reckon. It was in her sleep; as good a way ta go as any." "As good as any," you echo. *if (via_gudhrun = false) #"Would you help them stay, if you could?" you say, gesturing towards the Yoruba. *set convo_time -1 "Ah don' know. When dey go home, dey wul go back to dere families. Ifn dey stay heah, wut wul dey have? White folks spittin' on them? Tryin' ta string 'em up? Dey may live longer, but what's dah value of livin' longah ifn your life is miserable?" "But what if you gave them the choice?" "Ah could. Ah wondah wut Ah would've chosen." *if ethnicity = "african" *choice #"I would have chosen to stay." "Ah can r'spect dat." #"I would have gone home." "Ah can r'spect dat." #"I don't know either." *set applethorp_rapport %+5 She looks at you for a long time. Some might say she looks at you with sadness, but it's the sadness of decades of trudging through horrors, when someone has set aside that sadness because you've simply grown tired of it and they have no more space for it. How could anyone make an impossible choice like that? *if ((knows_hardings_plan) or (harding_animosity_known = 2)) #"Do you know why Harding sought to ruin the caucus in Memphis?" *if applethorp_rapport > 55 *set convo_time -1 *set harding_animosity_known 3 Applethorp stops and considers. @{(via_gudhrun) |Before you, the Yoruba are going about their routines, having long-since grown used to being gawked at.} "You knowed dat dey share a maker?" "Yes, she made that clear." "Well, Ah thinks she is jealous o'pallah. He was made aftah her, and Ah think deir maker loved Apallah more. Or, at least, dat's what she's thinkin'." "Jealous?" "Yeah. Ah heards a story once, that dah first thing she did when she was made a leech was tah go back to her plantation and drink her husband dry." *comment doesn't Dido have a word for vampires? "Why was she so angry at him?" "Like Ah said, she was jealous. When folks pick someone else ovah you ovah and ovah again, Ah 'magine it gets difficult." "Picked over again and again?" "When she went home to kill her husband, it weren't just him dat she killed. Dey called it a massacre, 'cause the next day, dah mastah was laid out with twelve o' his slaves, all dah spittin' image o' him. Dey blamed it on dah Nan'coke and went and killed a bunch o' them. Nobody thought that ol' Mrs. Hardin' had it in her tah kill her husband and twelve of her slaves." @{(ethnicity = "choctaw") You grimace; you wonder how many Nanticoke died due to that lie.|} "And she carries this animosity with her into her dealings in the Society?" "Dere's a reason Ah stay in Memphis with Apallah. 'Sho, he done released me back when, but it's a small town. Ah was tickled dat we didn' get no Senator. We is all trapped in prisons of our own makin'. An' Ah don' wan tah have tah deal with no one else's mess ifn Ah don' wanna." *if compassion < 50 "Dido, you may be the wisest vampire I've met." "You must not uh met many o' us, den." *else "Ah don' care tah gossip 'bout such things." "Oh, forgive me." "You fine, honey," she says to smooth the waters. #"Have you seen any evidence of West in Memphis?" "Ah wish Ah could say that Ah has, but Ah ain't." "That's unfortunate." "Ah 'spect that we've done seen enuf misfortune down Memphis-way. Let this particklar one pass on by." "Yes, let us hope." *if sire_name = "West" *set convo_time -1 "Your maker weren't no good, was he?" *if patricide or fled_from_sire "I can't say. I barely knew him before @{patricide he abandoned me|I escaped his grasp}," you reply@{patricide , silently hoping that she cannot sense your deception|}. @{patricide She gives you a funny look.|} "Wul, from wut evahbody says, you shud be grateful dat he left you on your lonesome." "It's hard to say." *else "When I was younger, I told myself that West was nature incarnate@{(intelligence > 2) : red in tooth and claw|}. He killed like it was inevitable, in the same way that the winter is inevitable. But now…now I'm not so sure. What does it mean that he can only sustain himself on the blood of our kind? That's not nature. That's a snake eating its own tail." "Urberos." "What?" "Urberos." *if (intelligence > 2) or (lore > 2) "Ouroboros? "Yeayah, that's the word." "Yes, exactly. Dah cycle dat nevah ends." "But we aim to end this turn of the cycle." *else "What are you talking about?" "Dere's dis idea 'bout a snake eatin' his own tail. Dah beginning will consume dah ending, but dah cycle nevah ends." "Perhaps on this turn, it will." "From your lips tah God's ears." #"Have there been any more instances of the yellow fever in Memphis?" *set convo_time -1 "Evah since *if lied_to_carothers_about_pb = 2 you killed ${maddox}?" "Yes." "Nah, nothing." "I'm glad to hear it." *if via_gudhrun and ((aichinger_rapport < 40) or (bailey_rapport < 40)) *goto pb_lie_exposed "We is too." *elseif (maddox_status = "west") or (gallagher_status = "west") ${maddox} escaped up heah?" "Escaped. Yes, that's a kind way of putting it." "Nah, nuttin." "I'm glad to hear it." "You knows, Ah is suhprised dat Carudders let you leave dah city. He was mighty sore about ${maddox} gettin' away." "And you?" "Ah'd say we all was nearly six feets undah." *else you killed ${maddox}?" "Yes." "Nah, nothing." "I'm glad to hear it." "We is too." She pauses. "Now we jus gots tuh deal with dis @{via_gudhrun Merriwether|Williams} fellow. He gots tuh go." *if via_gudhrun *if shepherd_credentials > 40 "I've heard about his petition to end the city's charter." "It's terrible. Dey be killing @{(ethnicity = "african") our|my} people lef' and right. Dah po-lice jus show up an' drag 'em away. Sometimes dey come back, all halla-like. Sometimes dey don'." *if shepherd_credentials > 55 "Why not kill him?" "Ah's said dah same tuh Carudders. But he's right; dey'd jus' send anudder. We gots tuh get dah charter back, and elect a mayor that can do sumthin' for dah people." "And that will fix things?" "@{male No suh|No'um}. But it'll bring dah fight back home, where we have a chance of makin' things better." "And Carothers supports this plan?" Applethorp hems and haws at this. Finally: "He don' stop it." *else "Won't the humans sort these things out themselves?" "Ah knows you don' care much for your mortal kinfolk, but Ah do. Ah's born tuh nothin', Ah lived fuh nothin'. But now Ah's got the power tah do somethin' fuh my people. If you don' care, then jus' stay outta my way." *else "Whyso?" "He done made the city disappear! Legally, anyways. He an' hisn Confed'rates went an' got permission tah run dah county whichevah way suit 'em. An' now, they just be doin' what dey like." @{(discretion > 50) "I see," you reply. This line of conversation is already boring you.|"I'm sorry to hear that," you reply. Though you're not really sorry; you just want her to move on.} *else "Williams?" You admit, it has been some time since you thought about the political landscape of Memphis. "He the new mayor. He's makin' parks for all them white folks, but not for none of the blacks. And it were Robbie Church that helped the city get its charter back, not those who live up in Greenlaw or out in Overton Park. Nah, we's the ones that bought the city out of debt, but now that we're back, they wants to be in charge." *if (justice < 35) or (ethnicity = "african") "As long as Confederate sympathizers are allowed access to power, this will continue." "No doubt," Dido replies. *else "I'm sorry to hear that." #"Did you ever meet West?" *set convo_time -1 *set knows_applethorps_age true "Nah. He lost his way before Ah was turned. Did you know Ah is younger den you?" "No, I didn't." "Yeeyah. Ah weren't born 'til 1815. An Ah was jus' twenty-five when Apallah made me." "I don't know that I realized that." "Wul, Ah nevah met West." "No, I suppose not." *if (heard_of_fragala and (met_fragala = false)) #"Did you have a chance to speak with @{(compassion > 45) the Leper|Fragalà} when he was in Memphis?" *if compassion > 45 *set applethorp_rapport %-5 "His name is Callygero," she says with a frown. "Yes, Ah done met him. He asked me some questions about the steamboats that put in at Memphis. He seemed real innerested in them." "Oh? What'd you tell him?" "Wut he wanted tah know." "And then what happened?" you prompt. "Nothing, as far as Ahs can tell." "He wasn't interested in the outcome of the caucus?" "Nah, he said it weren't gonna happen, so no point in gettin fussed over it." *if knows_hardings_plan That's curious. How did Fragalà know about Harding and Partridge? #"Does Memphis now belong to Björnsdotter?" *set convo_time -1 *set independence %+5 "Nah. Governor Overstreet still oversees Memphis an' other points south." "She has quite the territory!" "Territory, I s'pose, but there ain't nearly as many livin' folks as in Governor Townsend's." "A lord of people or a lord of land, yes." She looks at you askance. "Yeyah, somethin' like that." *if ((founded_school_for_the_blind = false) and (apollo_and_hester = "aware")) #"Did Carothers ever meet his daughter?" *if carothers_humanity = 5 *set carothers_rapport %+5 "Nah, he nevah did. Ah axed 'im tah several time, but he don' wanna." "That's too bad." "But she done passed @{via_gudhrun last month|abouts twenty years back.}" "My condolences to the Quaestor." "Ah wul let 'im know." *else *set convo_time -1 *set carothers_rapport %+10 "Yeyah, dey finally met up a bit afta you left. Dey didn' talk long. What could either o' dem say?" She pauses. @{(applethorp_rapport > 65) "But Ah'll tell ya, Ah swear ta Jesus dat Ah saw 'im cryin' blood when Ah was walkin' her out."|} You nod. "And what's happened to her?" "Ah is sorry ta say, but she done passed @{via_gudhrun last month|abouts twenty years back.}" "I see.@{(carothers_rapport > 60) Please extend my condolences to the Quaestor.|}" @{(carothers_rapport > 60) "Ah wul."|} *if ((founded_school_for_the_blind = false) and (apollo_and_hester = "met")) #"What news of Hester Carothers?" *set convo_time -1 *set carothers_rapport %+5 "Ah is sorry ta say, but she done passed @{via_gudhrun last month|abouts twenty years back.}" "I see.@{(carothers_rapport > 60) Please extend my condolences to the Quaestor.|}" @{(carothers_rapport > 60) "Ah wul."|} @{(compassion < 35) Some still-human part of you wants to ask if Carothers and his daughter ever enjoyed a meal together, or took a walk in the park, or otherwise shared something that a father might do with his child—whatever the uncanny circumstances that finally brought them together after decades apart. But such questions do not pass between vampires.|} "It was good of you ta find her. Ah knows dat Apallah was mighty grateful." "I was glad to do it." *if ((spencer_sister_status != 1) and (spencer_sister_status != 6)) #"Did you know that those Spencer sisters relocated here?" *set convo_time -1 *set applethorp_rapport %+10 @{via_gudhrun "Dat don' su'prise me."|"Wut evah happen' tuh dem?"} "It's the same charade, I'm sure. But here they are in St. Louis, plying their trade." Applethorp grins at you. "Someone shud show dem girls wut uh real demon be like." "Dido, I can't possibly know what you mean." *goto applethorp_convo_return *label pb_lie_exposed *set lied_to_carothers_about_pb 3 *temp ia *temp one_eared_freedman "one-eared freedman" *if maddox_num = 2 *set one_eared_freedman "one-eyed Cajun" *if maddox_num = 3 *set one_eared_freedman "gap-toothed Irishman" *if bailey_rapport < 40 *set ia "Bailey" *else *set ia "Aichinger" ${ia} interrupts your conversation. "${maddox}? The ${one_eared_freedman} that West consumed a few years back?" Applethorp @{(applethorp_rapport > 60) looks confused|frowns}. "No, ${mr} ${surname} heah done killed ${maddox} back in '78, right aftah he done stuck me with a stake." She unconsciously rubs her chest, remembering the pain of that night. ${ia} smiles maliciously. "Oh, no, you must be mistaken. West killed ${maddox} in Ste. Genvieve in '80. We had to deal with the survivors." He wrinkles his nose at the thought. Applethorp looks from you to ${ia} and back again. "You lied to Apallah?" *choice #"I did, I'm sorry, Dido…" *set compassion %-5 *set compassion %-5 #"I couldn't bring myself to kill him, Dido." *set compassion %-10 #"I am not Carothers's attack dog. I do not kill on command." *set independence %-10 *set applethorp_rapport %-30 *set carothers_rapport %-40 "Apallah will hear of this," she says before storming away. *if ia = "Aichinger" "[i]Unglücklich,[/i]" is all Aichinger says. *else "Oops," Bailey says, covering his mouth in mock dismay. You glare at ${ia}. *return