Malkavian Madness Network | Profile of Kapten | Show Posts | Messages
 Messages |
Topics |
Attachments
This section allows you to view all posts made by this member. Note that you can only see posts made in areas you currently have access to.
Messages - Kapten
1
« on: July 13, 2022, 04:23:27 AM »
"It pleases me to hear that." Andreas put his hand on Moses' shoulder, smiling, an weirdly impish glint in his eyes. "For now, it's business as usual. We'll contact you through Hank if there is anything going on, but otherwise take some time to focus on yourself, hmm?" Andreas patted Moses on the shoulder, then reached into his jacket and pulled out a card. "This number: if you need anything, you call it. The man on the other end will sort it out for you. I'll be seeing you at DiCarlo's party. Now let us return to the others." Andreas makes as if to walk away, before stopping himself. "One more thing: Abner, he does not need to know. He's your brother, but you're the one here, and he isn't. Consider him on the outside, for the time being." With that, Andreas returned to the others. "Thank you all for your time, and enjoy the rest of your evening. Stephano and I have business elsewhere, so we'll be taking our leave now." Enjoy your evening, indeed. It was 2 A.M. [OOC]I think this just about wraps up the business of Mass. If you guys wanna move the scene over to Dunsirn's after party, I think we can use this thread for it  If your character has some last business they want done with Andreas or Stephano, now's the time.[/OOC]
2
« on: July 03, 2022, 05:07:02 PM »
Andreas nods, offering a friendly smile to Moses. "Of course, Moses. You're practically family, yet things have been strictly business between us. I was hoping to change that in the nights to come." Practically family. Moses knew the Mafia was very closed off to those not of Italian descent, and yet here Andreas was, calling a Scotsman kin. The night kept being strange. "Did you know our families are close in the old world? My family hails from a line of Venetian merchants, yours from a line of Scottish bankers. Our ancestors helped each other out in establishing ourselves in America in the 1700s, but once here we grew apart. A shame, if you ask me. We worked well together, back then." Andreas got a wistful look in his eyes, almost as if he had been there himself.
3
« on: June 19, 2022, 11:38:57 AM »
Andreas smiled wolfishly. "Good girl." Reaching into his suit jacket, he pulled out a card. "On this card is a number. If you have any problems, if you need anything: you call this number." Handing Serafina the card, Andreas continued. "Make sure you don't miss DiCarlo's party on Saturday. There are going to be some important people there, and you'll want to impress them. Now, please fetch me Mr. Dunsirn, if you would. It's getting late, and I'm sure you all have places to be."
4
« on: June 17, 2022, 11:43:27 AM »
"I defunti onorati - The honored dead - graced you with their presence. Our family is strong, because we know to pay respect to our elders, even if they are no longer with us in life, and they in turn watch over us, and bring good fortune. Remember what the good Father said about tribute, and you will remain in their graces." Andreas put his arm around Serafina's shoulder and leaned in to speak to her in a low tone. "Your cousin, Dr. Test and Mr. Dunsirn, they will be important to the family, but they don't know about our deeper commitments to tradition, not like you do, Serafina. That is why I need you to keep an eye on them, and make sure they do us proud. They all understand the importance of material power, but without a sense of respect and reverence for how things are done, it will diminish any of our accomplishments. Can I count on you to keep an eye on them, dear niece?"
5
« on: June 10, 2022, 08:44:35 AM »
Andreas nodded, smiling approvingly. "Then you felt it as well? Tell me, niece, what do you make of the significance of tonight's Mass?" The older Giovanni strokes his chin, his eyes boring into Seafina's. There was something terrifying and exciting about earning the man's curiosity.
6
« on: June 09, 2022, 11:05:10 AM »
Upon seeing Serafina approach, Andreas offered up a warm, slightly predatory smile. "Ahh, Serafina. You're all grown up! Last time I saw you, you could barely fill out a dress, and now you've grown into a beautiful woman!"
7
« on: May 24, 2022, 11:43:53 AM »
Again, a look of slight puzzlement briefly appeared on Andreas' face, but it was gone as quickly as it had appeared. "Trust. I like that." Andreas reached into his suit jacket and pulled out a card, handing it to Isabella. "In case you need anything in the coming days, you call this number, and it's taken care of. And remember: DiCarlo's party is on Saturday. It's not a formal affair, but it's not a plus one either. It is a good place to meet the right people, however." Andreas smiled enigmatically. "Would you please tell your cousin to come over? I have a few words for her."
8
« on: May 17, 2022, 04:07:33 PM »
Andreas raised an eyebrow, a newfound sense of curiosity expressing itself on his face. His expression quickly settled into a more serious cast. "Would you believe me if I told you our family has harbored blasphemers during its history? Heretics, criminals, madmen, provocateurs, homosexuals, outcasts. Not only did we protect our own deviants: We raised them up. Your parents, with their... shall we say traditional beliefs? They would have you on your knees, or on your back, bearing more pliant offspring and thinking it is what's best for the family." Andreas, no stranger to blasphemy, spat on the church floor. "The mediocre have their place, but it is the inspired amongst us who lead this family. They would waste your potential by having you conform to their desires. I would hate to see you waste your potential working a desk job." Andreas extended an open hand in friendship. "I want you to come home, Isabella. Not back to your parents, but to the family."
9
« on: May 06, 2022, 08:43:28 AM »
Isabella
As Isabella rounded the pillar she found Andreas waiting, arms crossed. His arms opened in a welcoming gesture as she approached. "Ah, niece. I'm glad you made it. After the shiner you gave Hank I was concerned you might not come."
10
« on: May 02, 2022, 11:15:01 AM »
Leonard
"Nothing that formal, doctor." Andreas chuckled. "No, it is a social. Still, it would behoove you to look your best." Giovanni reached into his jacket, pulling out a small note, handing it over to Leonard between his index and middle fingers. "This number. You need anything, you call it. I will tell Hank to fix you up with a suit. Consider it a gift. And don't worry, I'm sure you'd be surprised at what you'll be capable of doing for me."
Andreas' eyes wandered the church interior, his face taking on an almost regretful look for a moment before returning to Leonard. "Unusual Mass? Yes. But you would do well to reflect on its message. Live in the now. Respect those above you, and pay them homage. After all, throughout history godly men have fallen from grace while pagan people did just fine when they were left alone. People are simply afraid. They set rules for themselves that they can’t possibly follow, swear allegiance to a leader they’ll never meet, or some totally improbable deity, and then wonder why they are miserable..."
Andreas flashed a bashful smile, but something menacing hid underneath that expression. "My apologies. I've something of a fascination with the human mind, and the work of the alienists. Next time we have some time to ourselves I would like to discuss the medical sciences with you, and where Man, God and the soul fit into it. But we should not keep the others waiting. Would you please tell miss Isabella I would like a word with her."
11
« on: April 21, 2022, 05:38:44 PM »
Andreas looked at Leonard, seemingly finding amusement in his discomfort, but was content to let the matter lie. Andreas made a sweeping gesture with his arms to emphasize the surroundings.
"The reason I brought you all here is the family. The Giovanni family is growing, and I would like for all of you to be a part of what is to come. Think of it as a promotion, if you will." There was a hint of the old country in Andreas' accent, in the way he seemingly put emphasis on each syllable spoken. "You'll see what I mean in a few nights. For now, you should go about business as usual, but this Saturday night, there's a party I would like for you to attend. Paul DiCarlo, a friend of the family, is having a gathering at his house and it is a good place to, how do you say? Press the flesh. Stephano will provide you with the address.
"First, however, I would like a few words with each of you, before you leave for the night." Andreas walked up to Leonard's side, placing his right hand on the doctor's back, between his shoulder blades, gently but firmly urging him away from the others. "Please, talk amongst yourselves. We will be back shortly."
Leonard
The two men walked down the aisle, Andreas steering Leonard away from the center of the church and behind a pillar, giving them a modicum of privacy. "You seem disturbed, Doctor Malatesta. Don't worry, you are not in trouble with me, or you wouldn't be here. So tell me, what's on your mind?"
12
« on: April 06, 2022, 11:52:30 AM »
The wine was cold, just slightly thick, tasting neither sweet nor sour, but with a coppery hint. To a man like Moses - who had participated in more than one fight in his days - it was the same taste as that of a split lip or a broken nose.
To everyone there it was heavenly.
The wine brought with it a sudden rush of euphoria, along with a slightly queasy feeling akin to strong sexual arousal, coupled with a strange sensual increase. After taking the sip, each of the invited could see better in the dimly lit church than they could moments ago, smell the aftershaves and perfumes (or stench in the case of some of the parishioners) of those around them, and they could sense all too keenly the smiles of the other parishioners. The wine left them edgy and energetic, perhaps not unlike a hit of cocaine, and in the case of everyone, except for Isabella, with a newfound respect and regard for Andreas Giovanni.
Just as suddenly as the Mass reached its climax, it then concludes rather abruptly; instead of the usual Dismissal, the priest simply stated, "Go in peace, brethren. May God have mercy on your souls." He then cracked a strange, bloody smile and exited through the back of the church. The rest of the patchwork parishioners began silently filing out into the Boston night, leaving only the four newly inducted, Andreas and Stephano in the church. Andreas offered a welcoming smile as he beckoned each of you closer, while Stephano remained aloof, standing in the center aisle with the small of his back leaned against one of the pews, arms crossed.
"My friends," Andreas said softly, his voice echoing in the church, sounding like a sepulchral whisper. "I am so glad to finally meet each one of you face to face. More so glad in fact for each of you to meet one another." Andreas began introducing each of you to one another; Misses Serafina and Isabella Giovanni; Doctor Leonard Test; Mister Moses Dunsirn. "This is my associate Stephano Giovanni. I am Andreas."
13
« on: March 27, 2022, 11:24:07 AM »
The priest skipped the Eucharistic prayer entirely. Returning again to the altar, he instead began leading the congregation in the Lord's Prayer. Spoken very quickly, and scarcely above a whisper, the priest said in Italian: "Our Father, who art in Heaven, howled be thy name. The Kingdom come, thy will be done, in the next world and in this. Give us this night our daily blood, and forgive no one, as we forgive none who trespasses against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil of lesser men." When the sign of peace followed, the other parishioners did not shake hands or even kiss each other on the cheeks. Rather, they embraced and bit each other lightly on the neck.
The priest again raised the chalice, and said, “This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to His supper.” Looking directly at the invited, he said, “You are not worthy to receive him, but only drink and you shall be healed.” No bread was passed, and no songs were sung during communion. Instead, the priest came down the parishioners, and offered a drink from the chalice. Andreas was the first to drink, and he lingered at the cup. Next the cup would pass to each of the four new-comers, to partake in the communion.
14
« on: March 20, 2022, 02:28:35 PM »
Stephano replaced Andreas for the second reading. The older man's manner was less quiet reverence and more barely contained fervor. His baritone voice was quiet, but strained, as though he might scream at any moment. “A reading from the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?... Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies... As it is written: For your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet in all these things we are more conquerors through Him who loved us.” His concluding statement, “This is the word of God,” was delivered in a dreadful whisper, and this time, the congregation answered him: “Thanks be to God.”The priest took the pulpit once more to perform the Gospel reading. “A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew. ‘So Jesus said, ‘Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. These are the things which defile a man.’” At this, the priest lifted the Gospel up and hurled it backward over his head, the Holy Writ hitting the cold floor with a dull thump. "Please stand for the Profession of Faith." The ragged congregation got to their feet. They spoke in Italian, but the Profession was very different from what a Catholic would recognize. “Don’t ask for something you aren’t prepared to take.”* The Profession was an old Sicilian proverb, clear to all but Serafina. If she wasn't mistaken, it was the state motto of Massachusetts. The Mass continued as the congregation resumed their seats. The homily the priest gave, still in Italian, referred back to the readings. “Define your terms,” he said. “If God is for us, who can be against us? Who, then, is God? This being that detests men of blood?” At this, the priest bit his own index finger, gnashing his teeth until he drew blood, then began to fling blood into the audience. The invitees, seated as they were in the front pew, had little chance to avoid the blood splashing their pristine clothes. “We are all men of blood! [FLICK] All men, all are of blood! [FLICK] But some are weak! [FLICK]Some die, [FLICK]some die when born, [FLICK]some die in poverty, [FLICK]some take their own lives. [FLICK]I say to you that these are ‘men of blood’ that God detests, not those who are strong enough to take the blood they need.The priest stopped gesticulating, the blood dripping from his index finger onto the marbled floor in a steady tap-tap-tap. “But consider also the reading from Matthew. If all these evils come from the heart, and the heart directs blood, it is easy to see why God might detest such men. But isn’t it those who can lie, cheat, steal, and kill who survive? So what does God want? He simply wants homage! He sent his one begotten Son to us, knowing that we would kill Him! But somewhere along the way, the most pervasive faith of all time was started — ours! So we give God what he wants — tribute — and we go about our nightly business. Remember the tribute. Treat those above you with respect, for God put them there for a reason. Disrespect them, and find your soul wrenched from your body to serve God’s greater plan, all the while with the Devil whispering in your ear for all eternity.” While he preached this sermon, the Father focused on the characters, staring, unblinking, at each in turn. While he spoke, Serafina felt the hair pin her aunt had given her grow suddenly colder, and for a moment she could see shadowy, gaunt, but definitely humanoid figures appear where the choir would normally stand.** The priest then raised a gold chalice, and said - still in Italian, “Blessed are you Lord. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the soul and work of human hands. It will be our spiritual drink.”
*Wits + Streetwise/Academics, difficulty 7, Moses 4 successesLeonard 2 successesSerafina BOTCHIsabella 1 success
**Perception + Awareness/Empathy, difficulty 9, minimum 2 successes Isabella FailureSerafina (+Memento de Morte) 2 successesLeonard BOTCHMoses 1 success
15
« on: March 17, 2022, 03:01:47 PM »
Organ music suddenly filled the church, and three men entered from somewhere behind the front pew and walked down the center aisle. The first two wear black suits and carry a large, leather-bound book and a crucifix on a pike, respectively. The third was the addled priest the invited saw earlier. Behind the invited, the sound of the late comers getting to their feet could be heard. Stopping at the pulpit, the priest performed the Sign of the Cross with his left hand. The rest of the congregation repeated the motion, signing themselves with their left hand.
"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
"Amen."
“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.” The priest lead with the greeting, in Italian.
"And with your spirit."
The priest grabbed onto the pulpit with a white-knuckled grip. "Brethren, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries." The priest paused briefly for silence. The Priest then said: "Have mercy on us, O Lord."
"For we have sinned against you."
"Show us, O Lord, your mercy."
"And grant us your salvation."
"May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life."
"Amen."
The ceremony was familiar, and yet, wrong. The scarecrow priest, using of the left hand when crossing themselves, the use of Italian instead of Latin... To those of the Catholic faith, no matter how lapsed, the differences stood out. The haggard congregation took their seats as the priest reluctantly released the pulpit. Footfalls echoed over the floor as a pair of well-heeled shoes walked down the aisle. The man who walked up to the pulpit next was young, well-dressed, attractive man in his mid-20s. He was a slender, olive-skinned Italian with a thin van dyke beard and a cherubic smirk on his face. This was Andreas Giovanni.
Looking out over the congregation, Andreas gave the first reading in English, his soft voice echoing throughout St Leonard's. “A reading from Psalms, Chapter 5. ‘For thou art not a God who welcomes wickedness; evil can be no guest of thine. There is not place for arrogance before thee; thou hatest evildoers, thou makest an end of all liars. The Lord detests traitors and men of blood.’” Andreas delivered the quote with a quiet reverence. The next thing he said, however, was so spiteful and bitter that the invited unthinkingly flinched: “This is the word of the Lord.” The proper response was “Thanks be to God,” and Catholic characters probably answer this way. However, the rest of the church was silent.
|
Show Posts