These days the buck stops nowhere, no one takes the blame, but evil is still evil in anybody's name.

[nothingsodivine]

Des is out on the streets, putting the finishing touches on some research for Project Nephilim Rescue, mostly because spending more time in the house with Cy the Naked Cat-Girl Wonder was bound to make him want to punch a wall and he most pointedly did not tell any of the other residents that there might be a naked girl making a mess of their

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[cleverblasphemy]

In the park, lurking in bushes and more than normally hungry, there's a ghoul.

This area gets less traffic than some, which, while decreasing the chance that he'll be interrupted, also makes it take much longer to find a meal.

Fortunately, here's someone walking by. They always come, eventually.

He waits, watching the upcoming Eli until he's on the part of path nearest him, then launches himself over the bushes, landing next to him and seizing him in an embrace. Not to open himself up, the abstract maw which allows him to consume souls, and...

Nothing.

That hasn't happened in a while. The last time he was unable to draw a soul from a living being was-

Nosgoth.

He releases Eli, skittering back a few paces and readying his claws. Some creatures bind their souls more dearly than others, but all are accessible once releasted from their corporeal moorings.

"Vampire!"

[nosparkofhope]

Eli? Is a preacher, a man of God (or a god or whatever), and while he was a soldier in his youth, he hasn't really quite embraced those sort of reflexes in a long while and even being a vampire, he doesn't make it a point to make use of them and what they say about if you don't use, you lose is true even for supernaturals to some degree. This basically amounts to him not sensing the impending attack and, given that he's relatively weak, not being able to break free until his attacker releases him of his own volition

[cleverblasphemy]

"So. Not one of the wretches from my own time, though I could have divined that from the fact that you walk around clad," Raziel says, and it's an odd mix of disdain, arrogance, amusement and anger that flavors his tone. "Tell me, vampire, what bloodline turned you? Is there a Kain in this world who has laid my path to lead me here? What master has orchestrated by abduction to this land?"

Humans may think they know the workings of the universe, but the vampiric mind is more elevated, longer-lived. If there is some secret machination controlling his destinies here, Raziel would look to vampires to learn it.

[nosparkofhope]

"Not in the slightest," Eli's tone is merely dry, expressionless. While he doesn't believe that any wanderer is inherently good or evil, he also doesn't believe that they're all not dangerous. They're simply the Chosen People and even being Chosen doesn't make them less of a threat, especially when they've lost their way.. In more ways than one, of course

[cleverblasphemy]

"I am no longer a vampire," Raziel says, perhaps a bit too sharply. But that's not really the part of this he needs to focus on, especially when becoming a ghoul is... not exactly cause for pride.

"A purpose," he says. "This, at least, I have heard before, though you have usurped me from another purpose of much greater import, if anything the Elder God told me can truly be trusted."

More to the point, someone's usurped him from facing Kain and claiming his revenge.

"But let me guess," he says, condescension cooling in his tone, "you are merely the messenger. My role, and my purpose, are unknown to you." This, too, Raziel is more than familiar with. "I weary of being played like a pawn across a chessboard. If you know anything of the hand which dictates these moves, you'd best tell me now."

This is a vampire used to getting his own way and commanding all but the mighty Kain. We're very sorry, Eli.

[nosparkofhope]

Eli's tiny smile fades. The vampire instinct wants to kick in, because he's being threatened, but.. No. He's a pacifist except in matters of feeding and he doesn't feed on the Chosen People and obviously one doesn't feed on a vampire or something vampire-esque for obvious reasons.

"Messenger, perhaps," he answers curtly. "I do know of someone who communicates with the Rift, one who might have a better understanding of your purpose or could at least help you discover it on your own by pointing you in the right direction. I do not claim he has all the answers. The Rift is a mysterious entity and not even those of us who serve it truly comprehend every aspect of it. I can take you to him, if that would appease you."

[cleverblasphemy]

"What would appease me is to find some berth or harbour in which my life is not a tool for a purpose I cannot claim to share," Raziel says, eyes narrowing. "But if you know of one who may shed some light on my summons here, please, tell me where I may find him. I can make my way there myself."

He has no desire to be escorted. He might easily turn from a visitor to a prisoner.

[nosparkofhope]

Eli nods slowly. This one might interest the Prophet immensely and if he doesn't want to be escorted, then who is he to press the matter?

"Very well, then. The man I work for can be found in a building not far from here. When you arrive, ask for the Prophet." He tacks more specific directions, taking heed to suggest a path that won't bring this stranger into the path of human notice.

"When you arrive, you may be greeted by his other disciples, some of whom might be hesitant to allow you access to him as his health is not at its best, but if you tell them that Eli sent you on good faith, then they will certainly let you speak with him."

[cleverblasphemy]

Raziel takes the directions in, making a note of them. A complicated path, for such a short way to go. But he is well acquainted with complicated paths. At least he suspects this one will not have puzzles in the way, or barriers impassable by most.

"Then I thank you for your aid, Eli," he says, giving no thought to whether or not it's a polite form of address. In Nosgoth, one generally has only one name and possible honoriffics. "I shall see this Prophet. You may inform him, if you wish, that Raziel will come."

And, with a curt nod, he's moving swiftly off through the park again.