Fear and Loathing in the Nelson Imperium, October 2nd, 3rd and 4th, 2008.
One short sleepe past, wee wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; death, thou shalt die.
--Death Be Not Proud, John Donne
It has been dizzing few nights within the Nelson Imperium, Gentle Readers of the Night. With so many gatherings in such a short amount of time, I have elected to condense my travel log into a single report. I trust that you will forgive me.
On Thursday, Baron Malaki held a modest gathering in Olympia. There was a great deal of discussion and pleasant conversation. These are the quiet types of gatherings that recharge one's Requiem. It is the reason that monsters seek out other monsters rather than sit alone at home weeping into our pillows about the endless night.
Papo and Captain Silver exchanged a few tales much to the delight of an enthralled audience. Primarch Giada of the Lance took confessions and offered spiritual advice. Sadly, there was a black spot on the evening. Former Sheriff Essadess had offended Papo due to some personal business. Baron Malaki decreed that Kitsap Sheriff Acrimony would punish him by publically biting off his arm. The deed was done and to his credit Essadess took his punishment well enough to earn my respect. He even posed for a picture for Acrimony's Wall of Punishment.
On Friday night, Joy of the New Flesh held a gathering in the Shinju Hari in Port Orchard. It was an intimate gathering marred by the strange absence of the host. Joy arrived a bit late with the information that Uin had developed a taste for vampire blood and didn't seem to care about where and when she took it.
Boldly, Prince Belson immediately took charge and organized an assault force to deal with this danger to the masquerade and had Uin summoned to the grounds of the secluded Shinju Hari. When the creature arrived, her beast was the most potent of any vampire any of us, including Nathaniel Green, had ever felt. Uin wasted no time attacking us. She clawed into Joy with a force that few of us had ever seen. Prince Belson, Primarch Nathanial Green, Imperial Harpy Claire Marie, newcomer Rook, Joy and I engaged the monster. Thanks to information provided by Zeal, Uin was able to be defeated without endangering the masquerade. An artistic rendering of this epic battle will be for sale at a later date.
Sadly, Prince Belson noted his disappointment that Alexander McKael had not kept his word to be by his side. Anyone that holds disappointment from the Prince of a city cannot be a *Recognized* member of the city.
On Saturday night, Captain Silver hosted a grant event on a floating casino. The Invictus should be quite proud. August Guests from all over the region attended.
The belle of the ball was Imperator Nova of the Evergreen Rose. There was a constant stream of well-wishers and petitioners seeking her attention. I knew she was popular, but I was surprised by the large number of the Invictus seeking her out to pledge themselves to her.
Imperator Harpy Claire Marie also made quite the splash with her pirate themed outfit. It seemed that almost everyone was simply dying to be with her. It was appreciated that she took time out of her quite busy schedule to whip one of the guests into shape. I understand that a grand time was had by all involved and a few guests were suitably jealous.
It should also be noted that Lord Alexander Adalbrecht III, Pricus of the Ventrue in the Evergreen Rose Imperium, showed a great deal of wisdom in handling of certain matters.
Prince Graham Wellington of Vancouver was spotted making the rounds with his entourage. Primarch Giada was also present and looking quite fetching. Obviously, the Lance were there in full force.
I'm told that Captain Silver gave quite the performance with his pirate shanty. I'm sorry that I missed that one. I was told it was not for the faint of heart. I'm told that Lady Ashe was appreciative of the command performance.
Gabriella San Giovanni brought a matter of boons before the assembled harpies. It was such an unusual matter that even Imperator Nova sat in on the meeting.
It seems that Fatima Beauchane has decided that the rules of our society do not apply to her. Fatima registered a lifeboon to Gabriella with the august Mr. Wilkins, Harpy of Olympia. When she found out that Sherriff Acrimony wished to purchase said boon Fatima attempted to rescind the boon owed for her life.
The harpies assembled agreed that once a boon was registered, it was a debt owed and could not be rescinded without permission of the one that held the boon. Imperator Nova also pointed out that boons were assets and thus could be traded freely. In order to assure that Gabriella would receive a fair value for the lifeboon over Fatima, Imperator Nova and I each paid Gabriella San Giovanni a minor to transfer the lifeboon on Fatima over to Acrimony. Acrimony paid an additional three packs of cigarettes to Gabriella SanGiovanni.
This transfer has been blessed and registered with the following harpies: Imperial Harpy Claire Marie, Harpy Sorrow of Kitsap/Tacoma, Harpy Wilkins of Olympia, and Harpy Black of Portland.
Sadly, the entire night was not without tragedy. It is my duty to report the fate of Manual "Manny" Vasquez of the Lancea Sanctum. I long considered Manny a friend. I moved to Tacoma in order that I might be closer to him many years ago. When I awoke from torpor after a few years, I attempted to reconnect with my old friend. He had changed somehow. He was bitter, angry. It did not suit him.
On Saturday night, Manny's beast finally caught the best of him. I do not know the exact details of what caused his final frenzy, but he could no longer contain the burning anger that lived in his very blood. Nathaniel Green, Reeve of the Nelson Imperium, insured that Manny would not harm any of the guests. I am told that Manny will be sleeping for a time to let his blood calm. Perhaps after a few decades I will have my friend once again.
Rising Stars:
Captain Silver hosted a fine evening and I expect great things from him in the future.
Feared:
Imperial Harpy Claire Marie should be feared not only for her skills with a whip, but also for her ability to make others desire the lash.
Loathed:
Fatima, I wash my hands of you. Here endth the lesson.
Isabella San Giovanni, I've never met you. I'm sure you had a good reason to tell people that Fatima was kidnapped in Vancouver by fifty armed mortal vampire hunters. I'm sure you were just protecting your friend and didn't expect this obvious fabrication to be mentioned in front of the Imperator over Vancouver. I can understand wanting to protect a friend, but next time tell a better lie. Vampire hunters don't kidnap vampires and then give them one phone call. I'm sure you didn't mean to imply that the Evergreen Rose couldn't maintain the masquerade. However, it is possible that you can learn the lesson that Fatima did not. I would start offering boons to Imperator Nova and the Court of Vancouver and then avoid attempting to rescind them.
Gerard, aka the whipping boy. I can understand wanting Imperial Harpy Claire Marie's attention. Some like being the center of attention. But alas, if you gain her attention in such a fashion, she will not respect you in the morning. And likely, neither will the rest of us. In these modern nights, they have clubs where you can go to gain your fair share of abuse.
The Importance of Boons and Angry Vampires:
Here is a bit of advice from a harpy. Use or not at your own will. I know of one vampire out there that needs to read this. I suspect others do as well. If another vampire is angry with you for whatever reason and you don't wish to fight with them offer them a boon.
Almost any sane vampire will accept a boon over an enemy and drop the matter. If a boon is registered and the matter is not dropped, then you have protection from the harpies. Further, it is likely that your enemy will now see you as a potential resource and it could lead to a future reconciliation. If you choose to exist outside the boon system, then you live and die on your own.
Sorrow
Prince Belson's Harpy of Kitsap/Tacoma
The Lord of Laughter
The New Flesh
OOC:
Sorrow expends two status points to lower Alexander McKael's Tacoma/Kitsap City Status down by one as he is Invictus and the rival Covenant in Tacoma/Kitsap.
Sorrow and Imperator Nova owe a minor boon to Gabriella SanGiovanni.
Gabriella SanGiovanni transfered her life boon over Fatima to Acrimony.
Jason Andrew
US 2002022602