daybreakacademy | Blood on the Dance Floor

[18's just sighing as she's rubbing her face, just casually setting out a few different papers on the table in front of them. There's three different ones, with different bullet points.]

So, the long and short of it is that there's three different factions that are vying for power in this area. All vampire clans, obviously.

You have the Zhelezo Bratva, who are more your Russian mafia type of vampires, the Comte du Umbra who are your rich kids that seemed way too into vampire fantasy, and the Beach Bums who just kind of seem to be more of the former locals and really just want to be left alone. Each paper has different bullet points on them for the main characteristics of their appearance and what they're trying to get out of this mess.

Mind you, we can really go about this however we want, but there's... well, there's ways they'd prefer. Obviously the main want is to get them all to form a truce and the least favored is Umbra being the only ones left.

Any questions about them, feel free to ask, vampires aren't really my specialty, but I've at least dealt with them before.

[Kokoro nods seriously.] We may need to approach this as if they were human gangs, but never forget that they can and very well may escalate to prove otherwise. If diplomacy is what we're aiming for, what do you suggest?

[It's not necessarily a bad way to approach it, but she's looking through the papers for a moment herself. Mm.]

You're not wrong, they're really nothing more than any other gang but with a vampire influence. Which, honestly, doesn't really change too much.

Diplomacy is technically the aim for this, but if it all goes south, eliminating them is still an option. I'd rather... avoid that, personally, because what did we really solve? Personally I think our best bets would be with the Bratva and Beach Bums as they seem pretty willing to negotiate. I'm unsure about Umbra.

If Umbra were simply carried away, and the Bratva are organized criminals, what is it that makes Umbra so much more dangerous?

[There's the briefest hint of a frown before returning to neutral once again, perhaps putting out all the information would have been better. But some of it hardly seemed necessary...]

Because Umbra are the ones that are formerly entitled rich kids, more or less. They still act in the same ways they had when they were human, they would easily stab us in the back if given half a chance. Or that's the feeling I get from them from the descriptions. While one is basically the Russian mob, they can at least understand what a truce does for them and won't do anything that would tie themselves to a murder, those types are very keenly aware that attracting attention isn't good for them.

And, well, the Beach Bums are honestly about the same in not wanting to draw attention to themselves.

Basically it makes Umbra the unpredictable element of the three and, honestly, I am not a fan of that element.

Maya is a quiet little thing in the corner, listening to something she's definitely in over her head for. Human gang politics was something she's had a deal in.

She sucked at it. But she had any sort of experience so that was something. Plus, well, her powers gave her an interesting in.

"How close can we get to the actual top guys in each gang," it was a strange ask, get close to the vampires. Normally getting away from the vampires was the game. "I wanna know if they can be trusted. And what they prioritize."

It was a useful thing to know, and something she could find out. If she could get close.

It's fine, she's used to the quiet ones being the ones to watch out for.

And she certainly can't help a small bit of a smile at the question, it was really what she was hoping to hear. "Pretty close on most of them. The Bratva are pretty keen on getting through this mess, as far as I'm aware, and given their connections, I'd assume who we're meeting is who is in charge of this particular branch. As for Umbra, much the same in whoever is running this mess. Or at least thinks themselves the leader." She pauses for a moment, oof. The last one.

"As for the Beach Bums... they honestly only exist as a group to save their own hides from more powerful vampires and surfing. So I don't know know what their delegation is even going to be. They aren't really... organized."

Maya wished her powers were attuned more to the present than a more general sense of a person, as it'd be more useful in a lot of situations. Still, whatever she gleamed would be of value down the line. Not that she wanted to take point. For starters she's a blunt instrument, not quite as nuanced in keeping secrets as anyone else here.

And she really couldn't defend herself.

"Maybe I should focus on the Beach Bums, I'll get more useful info on the disorganized chaos than I would on more disciplined monsters. There's even a chance they won't make my skin crawl." Small chance, but she takes what she can get. If the gang lives in a more communal space she'll be able to tell who really orchestrates things from how their sounds play off each other. "We're trying to play nice and all, what are the odds any of these groups just plans to kill everyone there to send a message."

Vampire mobsters do not sound like the 'play nice' sort, to Maya.

Then, probably, it's a good thing there's at least three people here capable of fighting if it became necessary. And two of them being rather big powerhouses at that.

She's humming for a brief moment as she thinks it over, perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to not intimidate that particular group by accident by sending a huge group to talk to them. She'd also consider them the least physically capable of the three and least likely to start a physical fight if something went wrong.

Safest bet, probably.

"I'd suggest taking at least one other person with you, just in case, but I do think a smaller group to talk with them wouldn't be a bad idea. They're probably going to be a little more skittish with these more intimidating groups around trying to drive them out, anyway."

And the last part, oh that.

"Honestly, I'd say the Bratva are the most trustworthy of them. There's a thing with their type that I've learned over the years, mostly in gangs in general, they do not backstab people if it's going to get them attention or going to get something tied to them. That's just asking for hunters or law enforcement to get involved and that is the last thing you'd want on you if you're trying to run illegal businesses. That and they tend to take deals far more seriously when it's what your whole business revolves around. I'd be more concerned with Umbra."

"I don't intend to go alone, I'm not a moron." Dying by vampire surfers would certainly be a story. Not one she wants though. It was also good to know that hunters existed, that vampires can't go too overboard without a concern their entire operation would get wiped out. It put a check on how much stupid they could do.

But that still left a lot of stupid.

"Okay, so just talk to some surfers and try to figure out what they want. They just happen to be vampires but this shouldn't be too hard, right?"

I hate this part of the job. Playing nice with people- with creatures who have killed and have no intention of stopping.

[Lin slumps in her chair.]

They're going to make some cock and bull justification about how humans kill each other all the time. I can just feel it.

[A sigh.]

But we need allies, and the vampire community has a lot of influence...

*Maya looks a little confused at the sentiment.*

Given the people employed here I really don't think we have a lot of room to judge. Not without at least listening to their practices.

*Maya's felt her skin crawl more than once due to the sounds of people at the school. That very real reaction of prey knowing they're in the presence of something dangerous. Because she can feel their power like that.*

And we need allies, allies who kill and have resources. And people who eat people might not want us all dead.

You're not wrong. Doesn't mean I have to LIKE it.

[She glared at the dossiers lying on the table in front of her.]

Don't worry, I'll play nice.

[It is rare that Grimm appears unenthusiastic but a part of him is indeed feeling that way, along with unimpressed.

Despite being a vampire himself, Grimm had as little as possible to do with the politics surrounding the various Clans scattered around the world. It still comes to him, of course, and sometimes it could not be avoided. The Grimm Troupe carried the reputation of the Clan created by the Nightmare King and there were many who had thought there was use in having the backing of the God of Nightmares.

For better or for worse for everyone involved. The Nightmare King had his own...interesting way of dealing with the persistent, after all.]

What is it that each group desires?

Near as I can figure, Zhelezo Bratva mainly just wants money, the "beach bums" just want to be left alone so they can surf and feed in peace, and Compte du Umbra want to feel like they're badass lords of the night.

[Grimm does not hide the eyeroll at the last one. 'Lords of the night'. It is not as if Grimm has not indulged in such dramatics, perhaps even more so, but he did not demand to be treated as such and simply left it as amusement. Something to be laughed at.]

As if those sorts of desires ever end well. [He cannot help but think of someone he knew.] I can see why the Umbra being the last left would be the least desirable. How much are the Zhelezo Bratva asking for?

I hate unnecessary killing, but...

[From Lin's face, she feels about the same way about the "lords of the night".]

Honestly I think getting rid of them might end up pretty necessary.

The Russians don't want a check, they just want to be able to run their crime empire in peace. I guess the idea is that organized crime is less disruptive than disorganized crime, but I'm not wild about any of them even so.

Edited 2019-08-13 02:35 (UTC)

Neither am I.

[Although if Grimm means unnecessary killing or crime is up in the air.]

The ones on the beach simply seem to desire peace and I feel granting that would be easier. And the Umbra may require a walk-up call to escape their fantasy. This eternal life of ours is not easy and it may be best to shatter the dream now, before they encounter worse.

[The Moth Clan. They and their infection is Grimm's definition of what worse could be.]

Are you saying we might be able to scare them into behaving?

[She doesn't sound opposed to the idea...]

[Grimm's smile is a little crooked.]

It is quite possible. Fear has often been a useful motivator and I do not mind playing that role if need be.

[Since it is likely they do not take humans seriously. Coming from an older and more powerful Vampire with better backing may be for the best.]

Oh yeah! You're like a vampire big wig aren't you!?

[Something something Nightmare King she doesn't really know the details.]

[Now he laughs.]

If one wishes to think of it that way, yes! I do not mind playing the role of someone terrifying to knock some sense into these children.

[Hopefully without violence but Grimm is not stupid enough to think everything will "just work out" when it comes to vampires.]

Would you mind accompanying me? Unless there is somewhere you need to be.

This is what I'm here for! I like to think I can be pretty intimidating myself.

[Standing at 5'5" with a perpetually open and honest face, Lin looks more like a kindergarten teacher than a terrifying warrior.]

...In the right circumstances, at least.

Perhaps these will be the right circumstances. I have no doubt they will foolishly not take you seriously, my friend. To their disadvantage.

[He means no offence to Lin, but if these children are acting like "lord of the nights" then humans are far beneath them and not worth their time beyond feeding. They'll likely focus on him more then Lin.

Grimm does not yet know what Lin is capable of but he would not be surprised if she could give them a nasty surprise or two.]

I will need a few minutes but once I am ready I will give you a call and we shall go meet them. Will this work for you?

Sounds good to me!

[Sticking it to rich kids.]

[Seiji looks over the dossiers and the important information presented. He has not had much experience with vampires himself, as they often avoided the territory of his own his clan and their light-based magic, which in part is why he agrees to this mission. He wanted to learn more about them through diplomatic means.]

Their primary desires are not necessarily mutually exclusive, although perhaps it would work better should we convince two of the groups to work together and thus put pressure on the third. As you said, Zhelezo Bratva and the...Beach enthusiasts [he cannot say "Bum"] have the most compatible priorities.

[Basically, this is IC meetings with the representatives of each of the clans. Just put who you want to talk to and either myself or Eric will step in. Because of course we already put together some NPCs for this madness.]

[Vampire politics more often then not were a tiring affair full of pointless fluttering, dramatics, wheeling and dealing, and a ""healthy"" amount of backstabbing. While Grimm revealed in the dramatics for a laugh and personal enjoyment he stayed away from the rest as much as possible. There were few things that got on the Troupe Master's nerves faster then dealing with this stupidity.

(But at least with Grimm there was less of a chance of going home in a body bag. The Nightmare King had tolerated this idiocy even less then his vessel did when he physically was around.)

Grimm knew these children needed to be taught a lesson. And in the end Daybreak was the best one to do it. That lesson could come from someone far, far worse then Grimm and Lin, someone who would crush them into nothing and puppeteer the remains.

Traveling to the Comte du Umbra's place likely does not take long, and once they get there Grimm takes a deep breath before throwing off any sort of suggestion of friendliness on his face or in his body language. Once Lin is ready to go, The Troupe Master draws himself up to his full height and swings the door open with more force then necessary and walks inside.]

Comte du Umbra, I presume?

[Lin stood next to Grimm, but half a step back. She didn't have a huge amount of experience with vampires, and was willing to let him do the talking for now. The two Umbra vampires paid her no mind, as her deferring to Grimm seemed like a perfectly natural state of affairs]

[The Comte du Umbra had sent two representatives, and they did have a certain aura of power around them. Cheap, flashy power that had had no time to mature into something truly intimidating, but which might be dangerous if you didn't pay attention simply because you couldn't guess what they were going to do.

They didn't look like the stereotypical lords of the night. They had polo shirts in light red and light blue, cargo shorts, and crocs on. The only deference to traditional vampire aesthetic was that their popped collars were unusually tall, calling to mind the cape of the most famous vampire of all. One of them had a backwards baseball cap and shutter shades on.

The one with out the hat spoke first]

What up brah. I'm Chadwick, and this is my homeboy Bradley, who keeps me real yo.

[Brad nodded once.]

No homo though.

[They fist bumped.]

So like, you're from some kinda big, hella old campus, I guess? That's pretty cool, but it's all the way the fuck out in Europe. Why do you care how we do shit here?

*Maya felt a hands on evaluation of the Beach Bums might figure out if there was more to them than what was advertised in the dossiers. She wasn't going to make any deals, but hearing their demands first hand, and hearing their characters, would help her sort out how generous any deals should be.*

Hello? Anyone know where the best waves are around here?

*Smooth, Maya, real smooth.*

[Lin stood off to one side a bit, behind Maya, ready to step in to speak or break someone's jaw, depending on which seemed necessary.]

[The so called beach bums looked like ordinary people. A little ragged, and perhaps in need of a shower, but no one you'd look twice at. There were eight of them, and none of them appeared to be the leader. They all kind of looked up at Maya at once when she opened her mouth, and just for a second she could see the light reflecting in their eyes like a cat's.

Then they looked normal again. They all started talking over each other.]

You wanna head down towards Lummus Park, that's where-

Nah man you gotta go to Haulover!

Bill Baggs has the best waves or I'll eat my board!

[And so on and so on and so on. Give them a minute.]

*Maya let them try for a little while, maybe going for a joke wasn't the right play. Still, letting them talk for a little while would let her read and listen to their sounds. Try to figure out who, if anyone, is top dog around here.*

*When she decided they'd argued about surf spots enough she spread her silence out across the space. It doesn't spread around Lin for obvious reasons, but everyone else can enjoy a few moments of silence.*

Got your attention? I'm part of the envoy from Daybreak. To talk about the truce, and what your needs are.

[For the sake of making things run smoother, this is going to be for OOC discussion of what your character wants to do in regards to solving this little problem. It's a heck of a lot easier than managing IC threads for this.]

Kokoro follows the direction of trying to get them to all step down peacefully; since they all want different things, why not just leave one another alone? (Though lbr, she's absolutely armed with three different kinds of weapons should this go south and has probably stuffed holy water in everyone else's bags. Preparation.)

[Basically this is going to be edited or added to once a decision has been made on what the fallout of the mission's end.]

Blood on the Dance Floor

Vampire Dossiers

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I am ridiculously late I am so sorry.

IC Meetings

Zhelezo Bratva

Comte du Umbra

For Bai Lin

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Beach Bums

Whoever wants to be Maya's assigned muscle can hop in.

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OOC deal suggestions

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Fallout