FASHION, RAVES & SNAKES
or "Some ancients awaken, some don't"
Francois Villon, the Toreador Prince of Paris, is sitting in his reception chamber, reviewing new ideas from his designer ghouls. He looks really bored
VILLON
Paris has lately been droll
Even the line-up of fall
Seems so pale and uninspired
He looks around, and then, with more resolve, continues
VILLON
Every très gauche face
I simply must replace
(Adressing the ghouls in the room with him)
Ralph and Calvin, you are fired!
The two men burst into tears and run out of the room. The phone rings
VILLON (Picking up the phone)
Oui? No, I've told you a hundred times Michelle, I'm NOT interested! Slams the phone Oh, merde! I am so dreadfully bored!
A veiled woman enters, looking bemused
VEILED WOMAN
One big faux pas this whole town
No great jewel for my crown
Villon stands up, furious
VILLON
Who are you? You've got some nerve!
She drops her veil, and Villon goes *WOW!*.The woman is Arikel (once again, let's keep it simple), the first Toreador. She frames her perfectly photogenic face with her hands
ARIKEL
You need inspiration?
Let's redo the nation!
And give me what I deserve!
Villon, recovering but still in total trance, starts to nod eagerly
VILLON
Why yes, yes of course!
As our tour de force
We'll renovate Paris completely
They march out on the streets, using insanely high levels of Presence without shame. People fall to their knees when the pair passes. Then they rise, their grins a mile wide
ARIKEL & VILLON
No place for a freak
Let's make it très chic
Don't bother to do it discreetly
Arikel struts down the street like a giant catwalk, spreading her arms wide. Every building she glances becomes beautiful, every person more dignified. Even the stars seem to shine brighter. A parade of newly made bards and dancers follows the pair.
THE PEOPLE OF PARIS
Our city will shine
To Kindred and Kine
Yes, even the oldest of bunch!
They'll know wide and far
It's pretty, n'est pas?
Arikel gives a dazzling smile
ARIKEL
Oui! Then I will meet them for lunch!
The crowd gives a wild cheer and lifts Arikel high in the air. Fireworks ensue
ARIKEL
Do you love me, girls and boys?
THE PEOPLE OF PARIS
Do we really have a choice?
Everyone bursts out laughing and a giant Zeppelin with the words "ARIKEL 4EVAH!" flashing in neon lights soars past
Elsewhere...
Sara Anne Wilder, the contested Prince of San Francisco, is having some non-Kuei-Jin-related problems for a change
WILDER
Can't... stop... dancing...
She is waving glow-sticks and gyrating spastically in the middle of a street. That would be embarassing, were it not for the fact that everyone else is acting in a similar fashion. A frantic and heavy bass beat can be heard throughout the city. Strobe lights flash
WILDER
Sudden...urge...to...remove...clothes...
She starts throwing her clothes off. People cheer. Again, would be embarassing if not for the group effort. The Sabbat launches their foam cannons at the crowd. Everyone is having a good time... Almost everyone.
FU PENG
Honored ancestor! Something is horribly wrong!
SONG FENG
I honorably suggest we leave the round-eyed western devils and their corruption-music alone for now!
They flee the city, just as the Gangrel Primogen starts bashing on a synthesizer and shouting in a very heavy German accent (think Scooter)
GANGREL PRIMOGEN
Ze Ah-vatar Tranze! Ze final nites are here!
Meanwhile...
The grand majority of Setites has gathered at the Ombos temple to try and resurrect their dead god. The scene resembles a vampiric tent revival meeting, with robed Setites discussing excitedly
SETITE #1 (Explaining his exploits)
...I told her "Oh sure!
you can have some more
blood in exchange for your child"
SETITE #2 (Chuckling)
Nice story my dear
But on MY way here
I left THREE virgins defiled
Two high-ranking Setite hierophants address the assembled crowd from the top of a staircase
HIEROPHANT #1 (Waving incense)
The rewards we will get
When we resurrect Lord Set
He'll fulfill our every ambition
HIEROPHANT #2 (Raising her hands)
And just like He ordained
We bought, sold and blackmailed
For aeons as our true religion
HIEROPHANT #1
The time is now!
All Setites start stomping their feet
SETITES
Snakebait Oo-Ha-ha!
Snakebait Oo-ha-ha!
There's a rumble. Then, for the first time since ancient times, Set's mighty voice echoes through the air
SET'S VOICE (Cheerily)
Hi, you've reached my personal voicemail! If I'm not present at the moment, it's probably because I'm fighting the Amenti or giving a hard time to the Silent Striders. Man, it's hard being a crossover-heavy Antediluvian! Well, anyway, if you could leave a message after the hiss, that'd be swell. Ta!
The male hierophant looks troubled.
HIEROPHANT #1 (Whispering)
Shit! I told you this wouldn't work! What now?
HIEROPHANT #2 (Winks)
Relax, we're a cult. I know how to handle cults.
She addresses the crowd
HIEROPHANT #2
Well now! As you all hear
This message makes it clear
He needs us in the spirit realm!
HIEROPHANT #1 (Catching on)
Let's shed our earthly skin
Let's help our Dark Lord win
His enemies we'll overwhelm!
The Setites look at them, silently. The one speaks
SETITE #1
Waaiiit. How are we supposed to...
Another Setite chops his head off with a labyr
SETITE #2
Join lord Set in the underworld!
The biggest assisted suicide in recorded history starts. The Hierophants sit on the stairs and observe the massacre. Hierophant #1 offers a goblet of blood with a twist of lemon in it to Hierophant #2. She smiles and takes a sip, offering another goblet with a little umbrella to him
HIEROPHANT #1
Thanks. Where's that one guy, anyway?
HIEROPHANT #2
Who? Kemintiri? I heard she's designing new Pepsi ads these days. (Spits) Sellout.
HIEROPHANT #1
Noo, I mean that guy. Odd, but a decent enough fellow. Had this fixation about getting the pyramid scheme back in fashion.
A single Setite runs up the stairs but is decapitated before reaching the hierophants
HIEROPHANT #2
Ohh, yeah, he said he was busy. Running some scam with the Assamites or something. Trying to get Haqim's blood.
HIEROPHANT #1
You think he knows something we don't?
Hierophant #2 looks at the hordes of Setites helping their brothers in faith to join Set in the next life trough the use of various blunt and sharp instruments. Then she shrugs
HIEROPHANT #2
Nah.
The massacre continues for a few minutes. Then it's over, and the ground is covered in ash and black blood. Only the hierophants remain. Hierophant #2 begins gagging and wretching
HIEROPHANT #2
Cough What is... Cough...this?
HIEROPHANT #1 (Grinning triumphantly)
For the good of the clan! I poisoned your drink!
HIEROPHANT #2 (Laughing and coffing)
Hehehe...Cough...I poisoned yours... Cough... as well.
A few minutes later there is nothing but ashy goo in the temple
NEXT in Act 5:
Lambach and Tzimisce!