*comment ñáéç…— *hide_reuse *advertisement *gosub_scene util check_flow *temp masked false *temp late false *temp mask_revealed false *temp jesse_abandoned false *temp surprise false *temp our_dear_dominus "our dear dominus" *temp change_feeding false *if jesse_is_broodmate = false *set our_dear_dominus "${new_orleans_quaestor_address}" *if outing_with_jesse = false *goto waterfront You nearly throw yourself from your bed upon waking the next evening. *if jaundiced Turning to your mirror, you are shocked to see that the whites of your eyes have gone yellow during the day…not unlike the eyes of Lonergan and Casey. *choice #Jesse can't see me like this. What if I have the yellow fever? I must cancel on him. *set jesse_rapport %-20 *set discretion %-10 You write a note to Jesse, *goto plague_account #Jesse can't see me like this. What if I have the yellow fever? I do not go to meet him. Let him draw his own conclusions. *set discretion %-5 You stay indoors, and do your best to avoid dwelling on your condition or on Jesse. *if jesse_rapport > 60 It is a few hours later that there is a knock at the door of your home. Franklin answers it and shortly thereafter announces Jesse. *else *page_break *goto plague_account *selectable_if (creation > 1) #Jesse must not know of this. I will use a theatrical concoction to tint my eyes white. *set discretion %-10 *set anachronism %+5 *set masked true *set late true You will not have time to dally with Jesse, unfortunately. You've never used such a thing—not since your death, anyway—and you have no idea how long it will be effective. Unfortunately, it will take a little while to make the tincture; but you do your best to hurry. *page_break *selectable_if (stealth > 3) #Jesse must not know of this. I will use my powers to disguise myself in his memory. *set masked true Steeling yourself, you prepare to push thoughts of normal-looking eyes into Jesse's mind. Feeling yourself ready, you set out for the waterfront. *page_break #All the more reason to hurry. Perhaps Jesse knows what's wrong…and what can be done. *set compassion %-5 *elseif first_memphis_caucus_attended As you are preparing yourself for your rendezvous, Franklin enters, pale with dread. "The whole city has gone sick!" he cries. "What are you talking about?" "Everyone is sick…dying! It's the yellah fever!" *if compassion > 60 With a grim smile, you brush off his concerns. "Thankfully, I have nothing to worry about." *elseif compassion >= 40 "Are you all right?" "I am, thank you, but…" "Do not fear. I have nothing to worry about from the plague," you interrupt with a wave of your hand. Nodding, he withdraws. *else "How dreadful! Are you all right?" "Yes, I am fine, but there are people dying in the streets!" "Is there anything we can do?" "We could flee the city. There is nothing that can be done for the ill but pray." *if (rationalism < 40) "Franklin, do not speak such nonsense. There will be no praying here." You are not sure whether Franklin's continued distress is a result of the ill or your outspoken atheism, but either way, he falls silent. "Though I detest such encouragement, deliver some money to the priests at St. Brigid's; they will no doubt be at the front lines of the relief efforts." "Y${es_suh}." *elseif religious_tradition = "pagan" *set stlouis_valet_loyalty %-20 "Franklin, do not speak such nonsense. If your god cared, he would not have have unleashed this plague upon this land." Franklin's eyes widen at your blasphemy. The matter of your different faiths has rarely been an issue, but his incessant babbling has truly grated on you these past few nights. "Finish the task at hand, Franklin," you order. He snaps to attention and resumes tending to your hair. *elseif (rationalism <= 80) *choice #I pray that the plague be lifted. *goto pray_for_victims #I proceed to my rendezvous with Jesse. *set compassion %+5 *set rationalism %-5 You are no physician, and no deity would be so foolish as to listen to your prayers. *goto toilette_resolved *else *label pray_for_victims *set rationalism %+20 *set compassion %-20 *set shepherd_credentials %+10 *set jesse_rapport %-30 *set jesse_abandoned true "You are right, Franklin. @{literate I shall draft a note to Jesse, which you must deliver immediately. I cannot see him tonight.|Please draft a note to Jesse pleading forgiveness, but we shall have to have another rendezvous.} Right now, I must pray for the sick." You spend most of your waking hours for the next few weeks praying for the plague to lift from the city. *set local_fame %+10 *page_break *goto_scene memphis_first_intermission Your toilette attended to, you set out for the waterfront, where you are to meet Jesse. No plague will stand in your way. *else *label toilette_resolved Your toilette attended to, you set out for the waterfront, where you are to meet Jesse. *label waterfront *set outing_with_jesse true *if jaundiced and (masked = false) *temp head "head" *if male *set head "heart" When Jesse first lays eyes on you, his horror is undeniable. "What has happened to you?" "You've heard of the plague that has been ravaging this town?" "I have." "I can think of no other explanation, but I must admit, I have never heard of a vampire falling ill before." Jesse pauses for a moment before continuing. "It is very rare, but I'm afraid I have heard rumors of such. When I resided in Port-au-Prince, I met a vampire who claimed to have fallen ill with cholera." "What does it mean? Can it kill me? I thought we were immortal!" "Calm yourself, dear ${given_name}. You are already dead. My visitor said that a few nights rest and the symptoms passed. He claimed he never even felt ill." You pause for a moment. Come to think of it, you do not find yourself weakened. Putting your hand to your ${head}, you continue: "You are right, dear Jesse. I had not realized it, but other than my eyes, I feel no different than any other night." "There, there now. Let us pretend that there is nothing amiss, and we will simply enjoy ourselves this evening?" "Yes, let's," you reply, as jauntily as you can muster. *page_break *elseif avoided_new_orleans Whitaker greets you with a plastic smile. *if jesse_is_broodmate "I suppose it's time that we were better acquainted." "Yes, it is," you reply agreeably. *else "Thank you for joining me this evening," he says. "It is my pleasure," you reply. *elseif late *set jesse_rapport %-5 Jesse is clearly frustrated by your tardiness. You make up some excuse, and whether he believes it or not, he soon lets the matter slide. *elseif jesse_rapport > 55 Jesse greets you with a smile. You can't say it's warm, but some affection animates its edges. @{male He grips your hand forcefully and shakes it.|He kisses you on both cheeks when you near.} "It has been too long." *choice #"It is good of you to say so." His smile only grows more tortured in response. #"Perhaps it is just long enough." His eyes twinkle with mirth at your jibe. #"Or perhaps not quite long enough?" Apparently, he takes your retort as a jest, gliding over it with nary a backward glance. *elseif first_memphis_caucus_attended or (first_memphis_reception_attended = 1) Jesse greets you with a polite nod. "It seems Memphis is treating you well." "So it is. Were you satisfied with the outcome of the caucus?" Jesse rolls his eyes. "I should have known better. Of course this was going to be a waste of time." "Coming here wasn't all bad, was it?" He peers at you. "That remains to be seen." *else Jesse greets you with a polite nod. "Memphis is treating you well?" "Well enough. I assume that you are here for the caucus?" "I am." "You traveled well?" "I did." "Welcome, then." "Thank you," he replies. *if date_location = "greenlaw" The two of you put aside your conversation as you adjourn inside the opera house for the performance. *page_break *set jesse_rapport %+20 By the time the actors take their bow, the two of you are in stitches. Jesse has done an admirable job of mocking the performers, leaving you heaving with laughter. The two of you tumble out of the opera house, and find yourselves wandering arm in arm down to the river overlook. *if avoided_new_orleans After a period of silence, you sense a hint of melancholy. *if jesse_is_broodmate "It really is unfortunate that you fled from our dominus," he begins. "Oh?" "I think you and I would have had a grand time in New Orleans." *elseif sire_name = "West" After a period of silence, you sense a hint of melancholy. "It really is too bad that you were given the gift by that ill-mannered beast, West." "What makes you say that?" "Oh…I was reflecting on the past few decades. You were turned just outside of New Orleans, were you not?" "So I was." "Had you come to the city—well, I think we might have had fun together." *else *comment patricide "It is curious that you became one of us so close to New Orleans, and yet neither you nor your dominus came to pay respects to @{(sire_surname = "Van der Velde") Villanueva|Van der Velde}." "My dominus abandoned me. To pursue what, I don't know. But what are you getting at, Mr. Whitaker?" "Oh, simply that it's unfortunate @{(sire_surname = "Van der Velde") Villanueva|Van der Velde} didn't find you and take you in. I think you and I could have had fun together." "Fun?" "Yes, it was a grand time to be vampire. There was this evening when Governor Overstreet and her broodmate—I think you know her, Samantha Withers—came to pay their respects to @{(sire_surname = "Van der Velde") Villanueva|Van der Velde}. But Sam—still a fool, despite being dead for decades—sought to entice me. And so I taught her a lesson she will never forget. And to think she's angry at me!" "What lesson did you teach her, Mr. Whitaker?" "Please, Jesse!" "What lesson did you teach her, Jesse?" "That vampires are incapable of love." *if compassion < 50 "That sounds like a hard lesson to learn." "Perhaps, but an important one," he adds. *else "That was thoughtful of you." "Wasn't it!" he exclaims. "Come, I am hungry!" says. You descend into a brothel by the water. There, @{(feeding_style = "vegetarian") you watch as Jesse chooses a young man and begins|you each choose a prostitute and begin} to indulge. When @{(feeding_style = "vegetarian") he is|you are} finished, you clean yourselves up and go your separate ways. *goto plague_account *elseif story_of_jesse_in_haiti = false After a period of silence, you sense that Jesse has grown melancholy. "There is something I've been meaning to say to you," he begins. "Please, I am all ears," you say, good-naturedly. *goto jesse_in_haiti *else You take the opportunity to propose feeding together, a proposal which Jesse takes up with abandon. The hunt is short. The blood is sweet. The sudden flood of blood over your lips pushes your heart into motion, and before long you are staring deeply into Jesse's eyes. *goto feed_with_jesse_1 *else *if first_memphis_reception_attended != 1 "There has been a revolution in the Society since last we saw one another," you observe. "So there has!" he agrees. "And what do you think of Stone's deeds?" *if jesses_revolutionary_credentials > 60 "They were long overdue." "Overdue?" "Yes, it was time for the Americas to throw off the yoke of Adonis. This is a New World, in need of new leadership." "It is good to see you have such a clear opinion," you reply. *elseif jesses_revolutionary_credentials >= 40 "The consequences are still unfolding. Consequences that will reverberate throughout the continents and the centuries. It is too early to have an opinion." "Pragmatic." "You could say that," he says, grinning. Self-interested is more like it, you think to yourself. *else "In a word? Reprehensible." "Reprehensible?" "Yes. To murder a Praetor in cold blood, to throw the Society into chaos, to stomp on centuries of tradition? Reprehensible." "I see," you reply, noncommittal. The initial greetings concluded, you must decide how you want to conduct yourself during this conversation. *choice *selectable_if (discretion > 35) #I will be aggressive. Any opportunity to slight Mr. Whitaker will be taken; any faults observed will be pressed mercilessly. *set discretion %+10 *if charm > 3 *set jesse_rapport %+20 Jesse gives as good as he gets. The two of you stroll along the waterfront, exchanging barbs and witticisms with lightning-like acuity. While the words are sharp, soon any venom is gone. *if story_of_jesse_in_savannah *set jesse_rapport %+10 *if sire_alive *set sire_rapport %+10 Reflecting on the conversation, you realize that you feel closer to Jesse than you ever have before. *goto jesses_conclusion *elseif story_of_jesse_in_haiti Once it seems that the conversation has finally spent itself, Jesse sighs. "There is something I've been meaning to say to you," he begins. "Please, I am all ears," you say, good-naturedly. *goto jesse_in_savannah *else Once it seems that the conversation has finally spent itself, Jesse sighs. "There is something I've been meaning to say to you," he begins. "Please, I am all ears," you say, good-naturedly. *goto jesse_in_haiti *elseif charm = 3 *set jesse_rapport %+10 The two of you trade barbs for a good hour as you stroll along the waterfront. Jesse does get the better of you, but he seems to appreciate your enthusiasm. *goto jesses_conclusion *else *set jesse_rapport %-20 Your barbs and witticisms fall flat. Jesse dances around them, poking fun at your ill-timed jests and malapropisms. Soon, you lapse into silence, unwilling to further subject yourself to ridicule. *goto jesses_conclusion #I will propose feeding with him. There is nothing more pleasurable for two vampires to share. @{(feeding_style = "vegetarian") Though I do not normally feed from mortals, this time I will make an exception.|} *if jesse_rapport > 60 *label feed_with_jesse *set jesse_rapport %+10 After some initial pleasantries, the two of you find your rhythm, and soon the evening has begun in earnest. When you propose feeding together, Jesse leaps at the opportunity. The hunt is short. The blood is sweet. The sudden flood of blood over your lips pushes your heart into motion, and before long you are staring deeply into Jesse's eyes. *if feeding_style = "vegetarian" *set compassion %+5 *set discretion %+5 It has been decades since you have tasted the blood of mortal. Instantly, it goes to your head. You want more. And more. Some small part of you, however, recognizes that Jesse will not stop feeding until this person—this human being who is looking at you with dark brown eyes—is no more. *choice #Why did I ever stop drinking the blood of mortals? That was foolish of me. I feast! *set compassion %+10 *set shepherd_credentials %-10 *set change_feeding true Your fangs rip into the man. You drink and drink and drink. @{(perception > 0) Out of the corner of your eye, you observe Jesse smiling, aware somehow that he has sullied your soul.|} Finally, the two of you part. The body has grown cold. The two of you stand and clean yourselves off. You scrub at your sleeve; a spot of blood has ruined it. "I should go…" he begins. "As should I…" you return. "Good, then," he says, a little too quickly for your taste. "Fine." "We should…" he begins, gesturing towards the body. *if discretion > 50 *set jesse_rapport %-10 "You should, yes," you retort. "Goodnight," is the last thing you say before departing. *else "I'll take care of it. Go do whatever it is that is so important." "I…" "Go." He looks at you, at the body, back at you, and then leaves. You are reminded of yet another reason why you did not feed on mortals for so long. #It is unfortunate about the man, but if this is what it takes to be close with Jesse…and I want to be close to Jesse. *set compassion %+5 *set shepherd_credentials %-5 *goto driven_by_sympathy #No, Jesse must not kill this poor man. *set compassion %-20 *set discretion %-10 *set jesse_rapport %-20 "Stop!" you thunder. Jesse reels back, startled. His fangs drip with blood as his lips curl, an animal preparing to defend his kill. "We must not kill him!" you exclaim. Jesse snaps at you with his fangs. "Please, calm yourself," you try again. Jesse regains his composure and his fangs recede. "You are no fun, ${given_name}." "Better that than a murderer," you retort, doing your best to clean the blood from your face and hands. "You really are a child," he retorts before turning and stalking away into the night. You lick the man's wounds; they close almost instantly. You help him to a sitting position, furnish him with some whiskey, and flit away before he has quite regained his senses. *goto plague_account *elseif story_of_jesse_in_haiti = false *label driven_by_sympathy Driven by the sympathy of your heartbeats, you push yourself up and cross the line of the body that separates you, pressing your bloody lips to Jesse's. At first he bares his fangs, a wolf defending his kill, but within a few moments you are wrapped in each others' arms; the corpse slowly cools between you, now merely an obstruction to the press of your bodies. *page_break When your bodies and lips finally part, you realize that Jesse has grown melancholy. *goto jesse_in_haiti *else *label feed_with_jesse_1 *set jesse_rapport %+20 *set compassion %+10 Driven by the sympathy of your heartbeats, you push yourself up and cross the line of the body that separates you, pressing your bloody lips to Jesse's. At first he bares his fangs, a wolf defending his kill, but within a few moments you are wrapped in each others' arms; the corpse slowly cools between you, now merely an obstruction to the press of your bodies. When dawn approaches, you rise and bid farewell to Jesse. The return to your haven is made more challenging by the tattered remains of your clothing; to be seen in such a condition would provoke unwanted questions. *goto plague_account *elseif (jesse_rapport > 40) and ((status > 2) or (charm > 3)) *goto feed_with_jesse *else *label proposition_fail *set jesse_rapport %-20 Your flatteries fall on deaf ears, so much so that by the time you propose feeding together, Jesse repudiates you without a flicker of hesitation. *goto jesses_conclusion #I feel our relationship is too tenuous to propose a feeding; however, I will use this opportunity to build on whatever goodwill he has towards me. *set jesse_rapport %+20 *if (charm > 3) or (status > 1) *set jesse_rapport %+10 *if (charm > 4) or (status > 2) *set jesse_rapport %+10 The two of you stroll along the waterfront, enjoying the breeze that pushes up the bluffs from the river. *if exiled_from_new_orleans He kindly avoids the circumstances of your sudden departure from New Orleans. Instead, he tells you how he spent the war smuggling supplies through the Union blockade. It is unclear if Jesse actually supported the Confederates, but he certainly made a profit from his endeavors. *elseif (avoided_new_orleans = false) You spend the time reminiscing about your time in New Orleans together, and he tells you how he spent the war, smuggling supplies through the Union blockade. It is unclear if Jesse actually supported the Confederates, but he certainly made a profit from his endeavors. *elseif jesse_is_broodmate He relates to you stories of your maker, ${sire_name}. He sounds like a fearsome vampire, one from whom you should be proud to have sprung. *else He tells you stories of life in New Orleans under the rule of ${new_orleans_quaestor_surname}—you quaver at the thought of ever coming before him. In exchange, you tell him something of what life was like in St. Charles parish. By the time dawn approaches, you feel as though you and Jesse have come to a deeper understanding of each other. You part with warm words and make your way back to your haven. *goto plague_account *if (knows_jesse_mason) #I ask that he tell me more about the Masons. *label discourse_on_masons *set heresy_of_masons +1 *set jesse_rapport %+20 *set knows_jesse_mason true Jesse smiles broadly. "I am so happy that you asked, dear ${given_name}." He clears his throat before beginning. "The Freemasons seek to understand the nature of the world by meditating on the images of the principles of our culture. Unfortunately, the principles of the Society are perverted. It is ruled by tradition, superstition and innuendo, rather than law." "And the Freemasons would seek a set of laws to govern the Society?" "Yes." "And what of the governors and quaestors?" "Such authority is anathema to democracy." *if jesses_revolutionary_credentials >= 50 "And what of your support for Isaiah Stone?" "A means to an end. He has claimed the title of Consul for himself. He is not a Mason, and he does not champion our cause. However, the current success of his efforts demonstrates that the time for revolution is coming." *else "And what of your opposition to Isaiah Stone?" "Stone's goals are his own. He does not seek to revolutionize the Society. He only seeks to supplant Adonis." "And you think that vampires are capable of being governed by a body of laws?" "We do." "If you will forgive me, I must think on this." "Of course. Take all the time that you need." *goto jesses_conclusion #I'm mostly interested in information. I want to see what I can wheedle from him. *if (sire_name = "West") and (rumors_of_west = false) *set jesse_rapport %-5 *set rumors_of_west true The two of you stroll along the waterfront, enjoying the breeze that pushes up the bluffs from the river. The conversation is pleasant enough, until Jesse sighs as though preparing to unload a great burden. "It is with a heavy heart that I tell you this…" he begins, before launching into a story about your maker. As Jesse would tell it, West has gone mad, taking the form of a wolf and terrorizing his way north through the Mississippi river valley. You question Jesse on the matter as best you can, and he admits that he has only heard the stories third- and fourth-hand, but he insists on the reliability of his sources. *goto jesses_conclusion *elseif helios_plot *set jesse_rapport %-5 *set heard_of_helios_cult true The two of you stroll along the waterfront, enjoying the breeze that pushes up the bluffs from the river. The conversation is pleasant enough, until Jesse sighs as though preparing to unload a great burden. "It is as if the whole world has gone mad. There is some vampire traveling across the west, claiming to be the incarnation of ${helios} and founding temples to his own worship. The Quaestor of St. Louis had to have one such temple forcibly dismantled…" Jesse continues with his story, oblivious to your disquiet. Did Cecil Lynch take your jests too far? *goto jesses_conclusion *elseif (heard_of_ogier = false) and ((revolutionary_credentials > 50) and ((jesses_revolutionary_credentials > 50) and heard_of_malloy)) *set jesse_rapport %-5 *set heard_of_ogier true The two of you stroll along the waterfront, enjoying the breeze that pushes up the bluffs from the river. The conversation is pleasant enough, until Jesse sighs as though preparing to unload a great burden. "I worry about the candidacy of Malloy for Senator. She has such an unfortunate lineage…" With that, Jesse begins to relate a tale of the dominus of Siobhan Malloy, one Arnoult Ogier. His alleged heresies earned him an execution at the hands of the now-deceased Praetor Miele. "They say he was a Child of Abraham." *if (heresy_of_abraham > 0) or (heard_of_heresy_of_abraham) "What is that? A Child of Abraham, I mean," you say, feigning ignorance. *if (heresy_of_abraham = 0) and (heard_of_heresy_of_abraham = false) *set heard_of_heresy_of_abraham true "What is that? A Child of Abraham, I mean." *comment endif Jesse pauses before responding. "Some vampires believe that we can find the origin of our kind in the sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham. And, if our kind was made by divine intervention, then the Bible should be a guide to our unlives." "Have you ever met such an individual?" Jesse looks over his shoulder nervously. "To admit to such would be to court a summary execution, dear ${given_name}. No, I cannot say that anyone has ever admitted to being a member of such a cult to me." *goto jesses_conclusion *elseif (heard_about_bounty_on_hugh = false) and (met_hugh_in_vicksburg) *set jesse_rapport %-5 *set heard_about_bounty_on_hugh true The two of you stroll along the waterfront, enjoying the breeze that pushes up the bluffs from the river. The conversation is pleasant enough, until it turns to a certain gap-toothed Irishman. "Yes, there is a bounty placed on this vampire's head." "Hugh Gallagher, you say?" "Yes. Though I am unsure of his crimes, it seems neither Stone's supporters nor his detractors hold any interest in defending the fellow. And since he has not been clever enough to ally himself with one side or the other, no one is at pains to save him." *goto jesses_conclusion *elseif (knows_jesse_mason = false) and (heresy_of_masons = 1) The conversation begins innocently enough. However, on a lark, you elect to flash the hand-sign taught to you by your maker, on the off-chance that Jesse too is a member of the Order of Freemasons. To your surprise, Jesse responds immediately with the counter-sign. It seems your maker was more profligate with his initiations than you had realized. You decide to take the opportunity to ask Jesse to educate you further on the mysteries of the Order. *goto discourse_on_masons *elseif (heresy_of_masons = 0) and (male and (jesse_rapport > 60)) "Have you ever thought much about our condition, dear ${given_name}?" *choice #"Of course. Such questions keep me awake at night." A sad smile comes to his face, and he nods at your words. "These questions disturb me as well. #"No, not really." He frowns at your lack of curiosity. "These questions do not disturb you? Well, I can tell you that they disturb me. #"Why, Jesse, I never took you for a philosopher!" He scowls at your flippancy. "These questions should disturb you. They do me. Or, at least, they once did. Are you interested in learning some answers about the nature of the world and our kind?" *choice #"Absolutely." *label jesse_on_masons *set knows_jesse_mason true "There is an organization…a brotherhood…of vampires that recognizes both the power of God Almighty and the immortality of the soul. We do not claim any special knowledge, but we offer the tools for you to find your own insight into the nature of the world and the government of vampires." He pauses. "Is this something that appeals to you? Would you be willing to join such an organization?" *label masonic_choice *choice #"Yes." *label join_masons *set independence %-15 *set heresy_of_masons +1 *set discretion %+10 *set rationalism %+10 *set jesse_rapport %+10 "I am glad to hear it." Drawing a cord and a cloth from somewhere, he continues, "normally, we would need a host to welcome you into the Order, but our numbers are few. Here, let me tie these around you." Taking the cord, he ties it around your midriff three times and the cloth he uses to cover your eyes. Thus secured, he takes your hand and leads you to a door. He raps upon the door three times, and then opens it, escorting you inside. From there, the ceremony of initiation begins. *page_break "I wish I had more time to stay and teach you further," he says wistfully. "We will continue another time, dear Jesse." "Yes. I look forward to it." With professions of goodwill, the two of you part ways. The sun will rise soon. *goto plague_account *if (ethnicity = "african") or (ethnicity = "choctaw") #"And I thought that individuals like me were not welcome among the Masons." "We seek to free all men from the bondage of ignorance. The color of your skin matters little to the mortals, and less to the vampires." "That is generous of them." "What say you, then?" *goto masonic_choice *selectable_if (rationalism <= 70) #"And what if I do not believe in the God Almighty?" *set discretion %+10 "Faith is a precondition of admission to the Order." *choice #"I cannot swear to something in which I do not believe." *set rationalism %-10 *set discretion %+10 *set jesse_rapport %-10 "I cannot fault you for your honesty, dear ${given_name}." *goto jesses_conclusion #"I was just curious. I believe in God Almighty, and will swear to it." *set discretion %-10 *set rationalism %+10 *set jesse_rapport %+15 *goto join_masons #I lie to gain admission to this Order. "I will swear." *set rationalism %-10 *set discretion %-10 *goto join_masons #"No." *set discretion %-10 *set jesse_rapport %-15 *goto jesse_goes_mum *if lore > 1 *selectable_if (discretion < 60) #"Aren't such questions forbidden by the Society?" Jesse scowls for a moment, before breaking into a wide grin. "You had me there for a moment, dear ${given_name}. *if jesse_is_broodmate And our dear maker says *if (jesse_is_broodmate = false) and (avoided_new_orleans = false) And my dear maker says *if (jesse_is_broodmate = false) and (avoided_new_orleans) And they say you have no sense of humor! Now, let us begin…" *choice #Let him continue. *goto jesse_on_masons #Interrupt him and insist that you want nothing to do with this heresy. *set discretion %-20 *set jesse_rapport %-20 *goto jesse_goes_mum *if heresy_of_abraham > 0 *selectable_if (discretion > 40) #"Do you mean like the Children of Abraham?" *set discretion %+15 *set jesse_rapport %-10 A scowl crosses Jesse's brow. "The Children of Abraham are a vile heresy. Some would say that even uttering their name is a crime within the Society." "Then what is the Order of Freemasons, if not a heresy?" "Yes, it is a secret society, but we fight for what is right…" "I imagine that the Children of Abraham think that they are fighting for what is right. I'm not sure that I see the difference." "The Children of Abraham seek the answers to their condition in coded messages that are subject to interpretation, reinterpretation, translation, and revision after revision. There is no evolution, no opportunity for growth for the Society as a whole among the Children of Abraham. Only sitting around with the same scraps of paper for decade after decade. The Order of Freemasons seeks to aide the Society, effect revolution, and save vampire-kind from its stagnation." *choice #"You are right. Please, allow me to join." He looks you in the eye, seeking any falsehood. After a few moments, he straightens himself up and begins. *goto jesse_on_masons #"I think you are deluded to draw a distinction between the two. In the eyes of the Society, they are the same." *set jesse_rapport %-30 *set independence %+30 Jesse begins to become hysterical. He shouts at you to leave his presence. Not wanting the situation to escalate any further, you pay heed and depart. *goto plague_account #"I'm sorry, but I cannot be a part of this." *set jesse_rapport %-15 *goto jesse_goes_mum *if heresy_of_abraham > 0 #I will feign interest. Is there a second secret organization within the Society? *set discretion %-10 *goto jesse_on_masons #"No." *set discretion %-10 *set jesse_rapport %-5 *label jesse_goes_mum *set independence %+10 Jesse looks at you with evident surprise. "That is…disappointing." *goto jesses_conclusion *else *set jesse_rapport %-5 *set barnum_thompson_plot true The two of you stroll along the waterfront, enjoying the breeze that pushes up the bluffs from the river. "What a strange city you live in, ${given_name}." "What makes you say that?" "Haven't you been reading the papers? I find this conflict within the school system fascinating." You blink slowly. "The…school system?" "Yes, what with the men and the women fighting over their pay, and the coloreds and the whites fighting over who should educate the colored children." "No, I certainly hadn't noticed." "You should pay more attention to what's happening in the mortal world. You would be surprised by how it might affect you," he chides. *goto jesses_conclusion *if first_memphis_reception_attended != 1 #I wish to know about @{jesse_is_broodmate our dominus|the quaestor of New Orleans}. *if sire_alive and ((sire_surname = "Van der Velde") and (avoided_new_orleans = false)) *set new_orleans_quaestor_rapport %+5 *set jesse_rapport %+10 *if revolutionary_credentials > 60 *if letter_from_jesse_about_quaestor_of_new_orleans "As I wrote to you when Stone first began his revolt, Heer Van der Velde does not support or condone these activities. And New Orleans has, in fact, prospered by means of his strong ties with the Old World. It is one of the few great port cities where supporters of Adonis are welcomed." "I see." "You could say, then, that he is disappointed with your activities." "Disappointed?" "Come now, ${mr} ${surname}…your reputation as a revolutionary has been noted. Did you think that word of your actions would not reach our dominus?" "He does retain an interest in his offspring, I suppose…though he does precious little to demonstrate it." "I would venture that he assumes you will return to the fold. Some night, anyway." "I suppose that I shall have to keep him guessing, dear brother." *goto jesses_conclusion *else "Unlike you, our dominus has made his opposition to Stone and his revolution clear. And New Orleans has, in fact, prospered by means of his strong ties with the Old World. It is one of the few great port cities where supporters of Adonis are welcomed." "I see." "You could say, then, that he is disappointed with your activities." "Disappointed?" "Come now, ${mr} ${surname}…your reputation as a revolutionary has been noted. Did you think that word of your actions would not reach our dominus?" "I have heard precious little from our dominus since we parted ways; I had no expectation that he would monitor me." "Ah, but we are his progeny. Until his bones are ash there is little you can do to escape his attentions." "I am unsure whether I should be comforted or chastised by such a statement, dear brother." "Perhaps a little of both." "Yes, perhaps." *goto jesses_conclusion *else *if jesses_revolutionary_credentials < 60 "It does. And those that oppose Stone and his so-called revolution know that they have a friend in New Orleans. You should take pride in the knowledge that he has taken a stand against these upstarts." "I certainly do, dear brother," you reply. *goto jesses_conclusion *else "Flourish…I suppose you could say that." "How do you mean?" "The city has become a hotbed of Loyalists…individuals committed to reversing Stone's revolutionary tide." "And you disapprove?" "Just as New Orleans fell to the Union, so too will the old guard fall before Stone's cause." "You seem very confident in Stone's prospects." Jesse narrows his eyes at you, a tad suspiciously. *goto jesses_conclusion *elseif jesse_is_broodmate and sire_formerly_quaestor *if letter_from_jesse_about_quaestor_of_new_orleans *label jesse_on_sire *set jesse_rapport %+10 *if sire_surname = "Villanueva" "Unfortunately, the Gulf of Mexico is not the place that it was fifty years ago; there is little room for piracy in those waters now." "If he has not set out to sea…" "Oh, he has. One man's pirate is another man's revolutionary: he has joined with the Cubans, fighting for their independence from Spain. Unfortunately, I hear even his herculean efforts have not brought the island victory. His fleet was burnt to the waterline, and he took to the highlands. I have not heard from him now in several years, but the fighting does not go well." "I did not realize he cared so for the Cuban cause." "I don't think that he does. He relishes the battle itself, and the blood that he can spill in its name." "Then he has not changed with the decades." "Nor should you expect him to." "I suppose not." *goto jesses_conclusion *elseif sire_surname = "Sainte-Chapelle" "Last I heard, he went north." "North? North, past Memphis?" "Yes. Past St. Louis, even. To Chicago, maybe?" "Why would he do that?" "I suspect that there will be a new Governor appointed, for that part of the world. I think he intends to be play a part in that decision." "Could he become Governor?" "I doubt it, but I suppose it is possible." @{(sire_rapport >= 50) "That is good news!"|"I see."} *goto jesses_conclusion *elseif sire_surname = "Padre Carlos" *if jesses_revolutionary_credentials < 40 "I am embarrassed to say that he is now based in Baltimore, in the court of Stone. He goes out as necessary to expunge heretics. Unfortuantely, it is often unclear if the accusations of heresy are true, or rather part of a pogrom by Stone." *if revolutionary_credentials < 40 *set jesse_rapport %+10 "That is horrible. I do understand how he could betray Adonis like that." "I could not agree with you more. However, I feel as though his service is one of opportunity, rather than loyalty to the revolutionary cause." "May it be so! In the meantime, I can only hope that his treachery does not poison the true members of the Society against us." *goto jesses_conclusion *else *set jesse_rapport %-10 "Those are strong words, brother." "I speak the truth." "As you see it, perhaps. But to accuse Stone of using his praetor for political ends…" "Is hitting the mark, I know." "But…" you sputter. *goto jesses_conclusion *else "He is now based in Baltimore, in the court of Consul Stone. He goes out as necessary to expunge heretics." *if (revolutionary_credentials < 40) and (discretion > 55) *set jesse_rapport %-30 "By which you mean that he is a lap-dog for the traitor?" "A lap-dog!" "Yes, going out and murdering members of the Society, and using accusations of heresy to justify it…" Jesse's eyes flash with fury. "I suggest you quit my presence, ${mr} ${surname}. We would not want to further disturb this soirée with our family affairs." "You are right, dear brother," you reply, before stalking away. *goto resolve_whitaker *else "That does not surprise me." "Nor me, to be truthful," he says with that rakish grin of his. "I'm more surprised that he hasn't taken to burning them at the stake. But I imagine there will be time yet for that." @{heretic Your laughter is forced, but Jesse does not seem to take note.|The two of you have a good chuckle at that.} *goto resolve_whitaker *else "I have heard little. He was a shadow in life, and he remains a shadow in death." "That is unfortunate. I had hoped for more news." "I wish I had more to give you." "I do appreciate it, though." *goto resolve_whitaker *else *goto jesse_on_sire *label jesse_in_savannah *set jesse_rapport %+10 *set story_of_jesse_in_savannah true *if jesse_embarrassed "I'll have you know that I did not seek to embarrass Sam for the sheer thrill of it." "No? Were merely seeking to embarrass the Governor by proxy?" *elseif withers_embarrassed "I'll have you know I did not embarrass Sam for the sheer thrill of it." "No?" *else "You may have heard of my intrigue against Samantha Withers in New Orleans?" "Why yes. She was quite incensed, even decades later." "I'll have you know I did not embarrass Sam for the sheer thrill of it." "No?" "No. It was vengeance." "Vengeance? What could she have done to you…?" "You were not there. But she and that monster Draper…" *if heard_of_draper = false *set heard_of_draper true "Draper?" "Yes. He's an inveterate gambler that spends too much time in the court of Savannah." "What did they do?" Jesse sighs—a peculiarly human gesture. "There is no need for details. I simply ask you to believe me that my vengeance was not unprovoked." "If you say so," you reply with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood. *goto jesses_conclusion *label jesse_in_haiti *set jesse_rapport %+15 *set story_of_jesse_in_haiti true *if clotho_ordered_killed "I am sure the events with that woman…Clotho, wasn't it?…are still fresh in your mind." You bristle visibly at the memory. "Of course they are. Well, suffice to say that I have experienced similar treatment at the hands of ${our_dear_dominus}." "You too loved a mortal?" "I did. And, as with you, he sought to straighten me where I had erred. Though I fear your lesson was somewhat harsher than mine." "So, why did you return?" "Because I discovered he was right," he says with the barest hint of a shrug. *elseif jesse_knows_about_clotho "You asked me once about someone…someone you wanted to share this curse with." You blanche at the memory…awaking to find her body trampled in the street by a carriage like a stray mutt. "We were going to flee New Orleans together. She died…unexpectedly." Jesse's eyes soften. "You may not want to hear this, but you should consider it a blessing. There was no future for the two of you. $!{our_dear_dominus} would have found you and punished you, and likely killed her in the process. As he did to me." "As he did to you?" "Yes. I too loved a mortal. And he made me put an end to her. He told me it was for mine own good." "For your own good?" you exclaim. "Why would you return to his company after that?" "Because I discovered he was right," he says with the barest hint of a shrug. *elseif love_clotho "Have you ever fallen in love, ${given_name}?" You hesitate before responding, which Jesse takes as an affirmative. "Well, so have I. Only, ${our_dear_dominus} did not approve. He sought to straighten me where I had erred." "How so?" "He ordered me to consume her." "And why, after all of that, did you return to him?" "Because I discovered he was right," he says with the barest hint of a shrug. *else "You know that I abandoned ${our_dear_dominus} for a time, yes?" "Of course!" you reply. "But you don't know why," he sighs. "It was over a mortal. A slave, no less, recently arrived from there. I thought that I had fallen in love, and that the rest of eternity was going to be spent with her in my arms. But ${our_dear_dominus} found my longings foolish, and demanded that I sacrifice her on the altar of my devotion to him." "And did you?" "Yes. I had no choice in the matter." "Then, why did you return?" He looks out over the water for a long time before responding. "Because I discovered that he was right." *label jesses_conclusion *if jesse_is_broodmate and (first_memphis_reception_attended = 1) *achieve datejesse There is a pause after Jesse finishes. The two of you stand there for a while, watching the clouds drift by in the moonlight. *if jesse_rapport > 55 Before departing, the two of you share an embrace. Were your heart still beating, it would have quickened at his caress. As it is, you try your best to draw whatever comfort you can from his chilling touch. *elseif jesse_rapport > 40 After a time watching this tableau, the two of you separate, each making your own way home. The company of your own kind is at best a cold comfort. *else The tension builds slowly in the silence between you. Finally, without another word, Jesse withdraws from your presence. You do not turn to watch him go. *label plague_account *page_break *if jaundiced and (outing_with_jesse and ((masked = false) or mask_revealed)) Thankfully, Jesse was right: the yellow fades from your eyes within a few days. *goto discretion_check *elseif jaundiced and (outing_with_jesse = false) Thankfully, the yellow fades from the whites of your eyes within a few days. *label discretion_check *if (discretion <= 50) and (rationalism > 55) You are timid at first, but your first attempts at feeding do not seem to provoke any undue illness in your victims. Reassured, your unlife returns to normal. *page_break *else As soon as it is gone, you resume your normal feeding. Within a few days, your unlife has returned to its normal rhythm. *if change_feeding *page_break Your committment to only feeding from animals having been cast aside, you must now decide on type of mortal to pursue. *choice *if (creation > 0) #An artist or musician. *set feeding_style "artists" *if ((compassion > 55) and (streetwise > 1)) #A child. *set feeding_style "children" *if ((rationalism < 80) and (discretion > 40)) #A member of the clergy. *set feeding_style "clergy" #A drunkard. *set feeding_style "drunks" *if (streetwise > 0) #A gambler. *set feeding_style "gamblers" #A traveler or other itinerant individual. *set feeding_style "itinerants" #A laborer. *set feeding_style "laborers" *if (finance > 0) #A merchant, banker, shopkeeper, or other financier. *set feeding_style "merchants" *if (streetwise > 0) #A prostitute. *set feeding_style "prostitutes" *selectable_if (charm > 2) #A socialite. *set feeding_style "socialites" #A soldier. *set feeding_style "soldiers" *finish Next