A/N: Here's chapter fourteen! This chapter heavily features everyone's favorite ghoul, because what's more fun than that? Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Bloodlines, but I do own my OCs.
Her legs were shaking by the time she returned home. She hadn't eaten all day, she didn't know what she was expecting.
Her door didn't lock, but it clicked shut, sometimes. Maybe it did lock, but she never tried it. Not after the time it shut and locked her in. She had to crawl out the window because no one responded when she pounded on the door.
She lived in a room by herself. She never had a roommate. She wanted one, to feel safe, but they never understood that. They never really understood what she wanted at all.
Poppy's grasp on the English language was shaky, and her backbone was even shakier.
Another day of work awaited her as she sat on the edge of her bed, drinking the coffee she had made but not drank that morning. It tasted awful, especially cold. She hoped no one had put anything in it.
Her stomach growled. It didn't want coffee, it wanted food. But she didn't have any. She couldn't afford any. She'd have to go to the front desk and ask for some. She wasn't sure she'd last another shift without any. The girls in the club would always tell her to sit, to get some food in her, but she'd smile and tell them off as kindly as she could.
She put the mug down after she thought she was going to make herself sick. She needed something. She stood up and opened her door, heading downstairs to speak with the owner.
"Excuse me." Her voice was thin, tiny, dainty. "Mister Tank?"
Mr. Tank chose his name well. A huge, middle-aged man with a mug like a prison convict. "Poppy." It was all he barked out.
"May…uh….um…may I have something to eat…?"
His beady eyes grazed over her, "Take off yer top an' I'll think about it."
She only blinked once before she grabbed the bottom of her lingerie and pulled it up to expose her breasts. He had a good chuckle, and as she lowered her top and adjusted it, he said, "Forty bucks."
She gave him a desperate look. He handed over a bag of chips. "See ya tomorra night."
"Thank y-you sir." She nodded and headed back towards her room.
She missed her old job. She missed being able to dance cleanly, to an extent, get paid, and have a talk with her old employer, who was the sweetest person Poppy ever met.
And then there was the fire. Poppy cried for a week, mostly because her employer was offering her a place to stay too, but without her there to pay, there was no way to keep living there.
So she came to a brothel, and begged for a place to stay until she earned enough to go elsewhere. She was paying more than any other girl, simply because she refused this man to be her actual boss. She didn't want to sleep with anyone. She didn't want to snort what the other girls were snorting, to roll blunts for them until the sun rose. She just wanted somewhere to sleep where she was safe, and this place was that.
So she was paying the normal rent, plus four-hundred to not deal with any of their nonsense, plus an additional hundred stacked up for every meal she asked for.
Was it fair? She didn't bother adding it up or doing any sort of math. She knew she hardly had a dime to her name at the end of the night, but she wasn't homeless.
As she laid in bed that night, listening to the girls in the rooms next to her make all sorts of ruckus, she contemplated finding somewhere new to live. She could find a cheap apartment, couldn't she? Maybe she didn't need that much protection. What would someone want with her anyway?
She decided tomorrow she'd cut work, and go hunting instead. She was stuck in a hole and needed to get out.
When she woke up the next night, she rubbed her weary eyes and pulled herself out of bed, slinking out as quietly as she could. Tank didn't notice her, neither did the girls. Hopefully, she'd be good for the rest of the night.
She brought with her absolutely nothing. Her skimpy clothes, her messy hair, the bags under her eyes, and the worn heels beneath her feet. Not even a single dollar. She was going to have to walk in search for her next living place.
Her stomach scratched at her mind again. Maybe she would be able to find some food somewhere? A half-eaten sandwich in the garbage bin would do just fine. Anything to sate the pangs in her stomach.
It was a little cold for this time of year, in Hollywood. She didn't like it much. August was usually sweltering, but it was quite chilled. It inspired her to walk a little faster. She found an apartment complex and stepped in, her eyes adjusted to the bright lighting. "Excuse me." She walked up to the front desks, "Are any rooms available?"
The elevator dinged as the doors slid open and someone came down. The person sitting behind the counter turned a page, looking beyond bored with his night shift. "Nah."
Her shoulders fell a tiny bit, "Well, thank you very much, sir."
"Yeah. Sure."
"Pardon me." She turned over her shoulder at the sound of a voice, turning to see a tall man in a subtle red suit. "You need somewhere to stay?"
"Um…" She turned herself around to face him, straining her neck a bit to meet his eye. She knew she shouldn't really talk to strangers at all dressed the way she was, let alone ask to live with them. "I'll…uh…um…be alright." She offered a small smile, "Thank you, mister."
He offered a small grin, a snicker, too. "You misunderstand. Let me take you to dinner."
Dinner with a stranger was a terrible idea. But she was absolutely starving. Anything for food, especially a meal. "Thank you very much, sir."
As he walked her out and headed down the street, he said, "Archie."
"Archie." She repeated, "Um…I'm Poppy."
"Poppy. Explains the outfit."
She looked down at her lady-bug patterned lingerie. "Um…yes."
He took her to a nearby café, one of the few places still open. They sat and he ordered her something, but she wasn't paying attention. What did this man want from her? He was likely preying on her, and it was unnerving, if her hunger didn't outweigh her sense of logic.
He rested his elbows on the surface of the table. "So, Miss Poppy. Where is it you're working?"
"The uh…the Elbow Room…mister…"
"Hmm." He mused, "You're not making enough."
"Um…well, I am. I'm making plenty."
"You're sick."
"I'm…I'm not…sick…"
"I can practically smell it." He sat back, "It's the same thing my girls get when they're over exhausted. Where are you living?"
"Um…" She looked down at her hands, "Uh…um…" She shut her eyes tightly as another tick took over.
He raised a brow, then swatted a hand, "Forget it. I need more girls, and you'll fit my bill."
She looked up at him, her deep brown eyes blinked, "Your…bill…?"
"Yes." He sat up, "I'll pay you better than you're being paid, get you better clients than you're dealing with now."
"Oh, um, I'm not…uh…uh…an escort…"
"What are you, a dancer? It's the same thing. Escort, dancer, stripper, whore." He cracked a grin, "Think of it as a promotion."
"Uh…uh…"
When the food came, she ogled at it before she started devouring it. Archie simply sipped from his black coffee, watching in awe as she practically inhaled everything set in front of herself. "You can't even afford to feed yourself, hmm?"
She hiccupped and drank half of her tea, looking back at him. Her freckled cheeks turned a little pink, "No, sir."
"I'll pay for a place to stay, and food for a week. You'll be back on your feet in a month with me."
Her eyes widened at his offer. She met his gaze, those gray eyes that bored into her. She nodded frantically.
"Good. I had a feeling you'd agree." He sat back, "You'll find my deals are to kill for. You keep all the pay you earn for the first week. The following week, I take a ten percent cut. Then twenty, then thirty, then forty. I'll only take more if I get complaints."
"Thank you, sir…"
"Please, call me Archie." He insisted. "But to any other, I am Mister Fitzroy."
"Okay, Mister Fitzroy." She nodded, finishing her drink as he did the same.
His gaze turned out the windows, "And if I disappear, you're on your own."
"…disappear?" She slowly lowered her mug.
"These are tough times we're in." He folded his hands, "It'd be a shame if someone got in my way."
"Well…this…this blows…"
The Anarchs stood in the doorway of the motel they planned to stay in for the night.
But, there was only one double bed, a very cramped interior, and no bathroom. What wasn't stuffed with a chair and table was filled with a TV, TV cabinet, two dressers and another cabinet. There was hardly even any walking space.
"You have fun sorting that out." Skelter said, "I'm gonna go." He hobbled off, the sound of one boot hitting the ground erratically became a very characteristic feature of him now.
"Well, Cat and I are on the bed." Cissy said, "Think that's been established."
"There isn't even a tub…" Killian sounded like a disappointed child.
"Or a floor…" Cissy muttered.
"I'm not sure it's wise for the person with the dog leg to be keeping watch…" Catalina said.
"Yeah, that does sound really dumb."
"Well, he's got good hearing and shit." Killian shrugged, "Besides, I think he's just camping out in my car."
"This still didn't turn out how I thought." Catalina said.
"It's okay, I've slept on the floor before." Anastasia said, "Or…the chair…I might sleep in the chair…"
"Just make sure your back doesn't get stiff." Cissy said, "You could sleep at the foot of the bed."
"What, is she a dog?" Killian raised a brow.
"I mean, you could sleep at the foot of the bed too."
"I'd roll over and break your legs."
"…I mean…"
Anastasia got comfy in the chair, while Catalina nervously looked at the bed, "Okay…" She said, which, by now Cissy knew when she said 'okay' to herself like that, she was nervous about something.
"What's up?" Cissy hopped onto the bed, "Don't tell me I'm making you nervous."
"No…" She slowly took her boots off, getting comfortable beside her. She could tell that she was embarrassed with the others around.
Killian scratched the back of his head and looked around, "This is gonna be a doozy."
"What's the matter?" Cissy kicked her boots off, one of them hit him in the arm, "Too big to squeeze in anywhere? Guess that's how the cookie crumbles."
"Yeah, thanks." He went over to the windows and made sure the blinds were closed, "Anyone got any tape?"
"Yeah, I always keep a roll on me." Cissy said sarcastically, "What do you think?"
"Chill. I'll just leave it for now….we'll have to be a little careful about them." He pulled the curtains shut too, trying not to bump into Anastasia in her chair.
"I could go get some." Catalina sat up, "That is, if we have time."
"I think we'll be fine with the curtains." Cissy said, pulling her hair out from its tie.
"I think so too." Killian sat on the edge of the bed, "Maybe I could squeeze in there?" He pointed to the tiny space between the wall and bed.
"I don't want to hear you breathing all night right next to me." Cissy said.
"Well, I wouldn't…so…"
"It's fine, he has to sleep somewhere." Catalina said.
"I dunno…go sleep in Anastasia's lap, I feel like she's pretty comfy." Cissy smirked.
"Yeah, that's a genius idea, Sid." Killian sighed.
"No it isn't, Sid." Anastasia said quietly.
"I would be careful, riling up the veterans, Sid." Catalina said.
"Can everyone stop calling me Sid!?" Cissy screamed, "For fuck's sake!"
"Maybe don't be a moron then." Killian snapped, "I'll have to go under the bed."
"Can you fit?" Cissy raised a brow.
"Let's hope?" He got down onto the floor, "Ugh, smells awful." He started crawling. "Someone left their keys under here…oh, good, and a few thongs, and some handcuffs."
"That's some useful stuff." Cissy said as the bed jolted and rumbled beneath them.
Killian grunted, "I'm not gonna fit…" He pulled back out, "Shit."
"Well, there has to be a bathroom you can sleep in somewhere."
"Or a porta-potty." Killian said, "I'd even settle for that. I'm gonna go look around."
There was a silence as the door shut. Cissy yawned, "There. Good. Now you don't have to worry about anyone judging you." She wrapped her arms around Catalina's waist.
"Yeah…fine…great…" Catalina said.
"What's wrong? I'll sleep on the floor if you want…"
"It's not that…you should…probably just stop stirring the pot…"
"Stirring what pot?"
"Nothing…you're causing drama and pissing everyone off…you're like, the new Sirius…"
"I am not the new Sirius. I'm not gonna betray anyone." She laid down and grabbed Catalina tightly by the waist and pulled her closer, forcing her into a spooning position, "Everyone is just so difficult and complicated, I'm trying to sort things out."
She sighed, "Fine…"
"Don't be mad at me, please…"
"I'm not." She hugged her arms.
"Thank you." She smiled, squeezing her in a little closer and kissing the back of her neck, "I love you, Cat." She whispered.
"I love you too."
It was almost infuriating for Archie to see that his son sold his apartment. It meant he was still out there, living.
At the same time, Archie was able to take the place for a reduced price, due to the damages left from his son's poor temper. The holes in the walls, the missing beams in the staircase, the holes in the furniture. The place was covered in all sorts of medium still that the custodial staff must've given up on.
It hardly mattered. It was cheaper than his previous place, and it would be very difficult to track. He made sure his three girls knew about the move, and that was that.
As he counted through a stack of cash, one of them strutted across the kitchen, "Are we good, Archie?"
"Yes, I believe so." He tucked the cash back into his blazer, looking back to her. Yvette was one of his best girls, always loyal, always willing to give him a bigger cut, and she only bought any of her drugs from him. She really loved what she did, and she had the form and health to support it. Tall legs, dark skin, plump lips and deep hazel eyes, as well as flowing silk-like hair that was always pinned on the crown of her head. Maybe her nose was a little too pronounced, maybe her stance and posture was a little masculine, but she earned him the most.
And he absolutely adored her history, or lack thereof. After her parents conceived and delivered her in Saudi Arabia, she was sent to the states with a nearby relative, where she grew up in a quiet town until she eventually managed to purchase her own property.
So, that left her with an independent personality, a lovely French accent, unique name, and slight adoration for cats. Regardless, she had been working for Archie for years now, and never even seemed slightly upset with the way her life turned out. It was like she lived for it.
"Very good." She adjusted the strap to her top, "Well, I'll go out with Kiera, then. I'll see you tomorrow night?"
"I have you scheduled for eleven forty-five."
"Magnifique! Goodnight, babe."
He nodded as she headed out and gently closed the door behind herself. The next thing on his schedule was coffee. He was done with the human race for the night.
Coffee and Kindred happened after three. At least, any Kindred that might have known about his move. He knew there was a Sabbat meeting in an hour or so, so he figured he might as well take the time to relax and think over some topics to mention, permitting he was allowed.
A sharp knock on the door killed that idea completely. Archie rose to answer the door, seeing Remus on the other side, "You're a difficult one to track down these nights, Mister Fitzroy…"
Archie offered a grin as he bowed his head and chuckled curtly, "Well, I almost find that in poor taste, considering your official status to the Sabbat."
He narrowed his eyes, "Such issues will be remedied with tonight's meeting." He said, more or less letting himself in, "Now, to business. I asked you to investigate the structure in Hollywood, and you never reported back to me."
"Yes, that's right…" Archie said after a slight pause, still a little surprised he showed up, "Appears it's in the possession of the Giovanni. I was unable to persuade them with the prospect of cash, another club, or other such benefits. Seems they've dug their heels in and plan to stay right where they are."
"The Giovanni?" Remus asked, "They're in the state too? Hmm…I see. I knew it was more than just some bumbling establishment for kine. There was a rather disturbing taste in the air when I visited it last."
"I've been in close contact with one of the employees, one who's recently quit. I'll siphon as much information out as I can, if you'd like."
"Such things will not be necessary. I've already received all the information I need." He said, "I shall oust this Giovanni and end their pathetic reign here in the ensuing nights…"
"Ah, very good." He grinned, "And the club itself?"
He blinked, not quite sure what Archie meant when he asked that. It was clear the Remus barely knew or cared for the first thing about money or property, "Will be littered with bodies…"
Archie snickered, "Yes, but, when the bodies are cleared, the owner is rid of…did you have plans for the club? It could be a very valuable under-cover Sabbat facility."
"Such trivial matters are not of my concern." He turned away, "It's…yours…once it's emptied."
"Thank you, sir." He said, "Is that all?"
He gave a slow nod, "We should make our way to the meeting." He said, "It is a long ways away…"
"Yes, that's right." Archie agreed, briefly glimpsing at his pocket-watch before he headed out with Remus, "Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, are you in possession of any ghouls?"
He chuckled for a long while, "No…such extensions are unnecessary…"
"Mmm…a shame. I've been searching for a reliable regnant for quite some time."
"Were you not bound to the Setite?" He wondered, a taxi quickly pulled up once they reached the streets.
"Going somewhere?" The cab driver asked.
Remus waved a hand, as a blue glow came from it, "You will take us to Las Vegas."
"…I will take you to Las Vegas…" With that, Remus and Archie got in the back seats.
"I am. But…" He sighed through his nose, trying to think of a Kindred-way to put it. "I suppose it's foolish. He has no inclinations to work with me. He doesn't stop me from anything, but he doesn't help me either. I much rather form some sort of teamwork with my regnant, a sort of…" He scratched at his beard, "Partnership, in essence. I tie the ropes and you pull the trigger."
Remus chuckled again, "I seek soldiers, apprentices…someone I could spread my LaSombra gift to." He said, "Ghouls wouldn't help my path to crowing the Sabbat in this state." He crossed his arms, "I suppose they have somewhat of a purpose in the Sabbat, for…reconnaissance…but…we have commanders with Obfuscate for that. No…if we were to form a team, I would rather it be a Cainite one."
The Embrace flickered through one ear and out the other. "Very well. I'll remain with the Setite then. I appreciate your explanation."
His animalistic eyes flickered over to Archie, before facing forward again, "I would inquire about the affairs while I was in torpor, but I have taken the liberty of, catching myself up…so to speak. It appears the Anarchs are no longer in this city."
Archie snickered, "No, they are not. Unfortunately, the same group still linger somewhere close. I've just learned of this today. I'm tempted to look into hunting them."
"There are stragglers?" He looked surprised, "From where did you hear of this information?"
"I'm not sure if you were in our ranks when Mister Killian was 'inside' our movement. They were using him as a spy, but since he was an Anarch, he did a piss-poor job of it, and he was sent off. Regardless, his apartment was for sale, his belongings all sold. They wouldn't have been sold so quickly if he didn't sell them himself. They would have been donated or auctioned, not sold. They left a giant footprint. I could track the buyers, use it to locate where they might've been headed."
"An amusing project." He said, "That you will most likely be in charge of. Once I finish off this pathetic Giovanni, I will regain a focus on the Camarilla, as will most of the others."
"Of course. It shouldn't be an issue."
"It was Sirius's task to take apart the Anarchs and the Camarilla…nice to see he's finally finished with one of them…he even killed Isaac Abrams himself…"
"I suppose that's true." He gave a small but potent grin, "I can't wait to hear it from his side."
"Did Nines Rodriguez survive the purge?"
"Certainly not. That was when the battle ended."
He smiled, "I see." He said, "That's wonderful news."
"I only wish I could have been there…"
The two men of seemingly complete opposites had a bit more idle chat before the car finally stopped in front of Lafayette's castle. The cab driver wanted to be paid, but a Dominate command shut him up.
Antoinette was at the pair of double doors, as usual, "Head inside." Remus ordered, "We're most likely the last two holdouts."
"Yes, sir." Antoinette bowed, and the trio went inside.
Archie and Remus were confused by the amount of extra chairs around the table, "What is the meaning of this?" Remus asked, looking towards Lafayette at the head of the table.
The Tzimisce's eyes lit up, "Remus! You have survived after all!"
"Indeed I have." Remus said, taking a seat next to him, "Supposedly the Prince did not thoroughly check if I did or did not suffer a Final Death. We have his incompetence to thank for my survival."
Gideon looked thoroughly disturbed that Remus had lived and was merely in torpor, nevertheless, he gave a smile, a pained one, "It's…quite fortunate that you're back."
"Now." Remus folded his hands, "For what purpose, do we have so many places set?"
Lafayette snickered, "We have new generals…five in fact!"
"Five?" Vernon looked shocked.
Archie's lips pulled up into a smirk. This would certainly set the Camarilla back, even if they did have a disadvantage.
"Yes, they should be coming through those doors right now." Lafayette grinned, "Ah, here they are!" He said, as the doors opened, "Ladies and gentlemen, meet the new Serpents of the Light!"
Jasper came in brandishing a refined smile, flanked by Selina, Axle, and Drake. "A pleasure to serve you." Jasper led the bow the four of them did, his tongue flickering out.
"More…Followers of Set?" Remus asked slowly.
"Yes, indeed." Lafayette said, "Go on, all of you, have a seat. You will instrumental in taking out the Camarilla blight in this city."
Sirius looked positively unnerved at this development. Gideon snickered and elbowed him, "What's the matter, not a fan of the new blood?"
"Oh, trust me." Jasper overheard, smiling at Sirius, "We Setites have more of a…brotherly connection…then you think."
"Just a moment." Cedric said, "You said there were five new members, I only see four." The Harbinger said, his deep voice muffled slightly by his mask.
"The fifth has just arrived, monsieur." A man said as he entered. His wardrobe looked as if it was about two-hundred years old. A large navy blue overcoat with matching pants and boots. The only garment that looked out of place was the matching blue wool cap on his head. His body was more thin than toned, and his skin was tan. His eyes were more of a dark, sour blue than most of his outfit. And, there seemed to be a pair of blue dragon-like wings jutting out of his back.
"Allow me to introduce you all to Basil Lestrange, an Ancilla from France." Somehow Lafayette's grin grew even more, "His experience in the Sword is…little at best, but his combat skills are not, I assure you."
Raphael's jaw fell open, like most of the others, when he saw Basil. He couldn't even speak, so Vernon asked what was on everyone's mind, "What is he?"
"Ah, a wonderful question." Lafayette said, "He is a Toreador."
Gideon cackled quietly to himself for a long while, before he finally said, "It's been quite a while since I've seen the Volgirre…quite thinned out, your race is…is it not?"
Basil narrowed his eyes, "Perhaps." He said, his voice low-pitched with a slight French accent entwined into it. He took a seat.
The prospect of more Setites didn't pique Archie's interest much. But, a Toreador Bloodline? That did. Archie kept his beady eyes on the figure in blue.
"Mister Fitzroy brought an interesting topic to my attention." Remus said, in some sort of desperate attempt to get the meeting going, "There are some Anarch stragglers that I've heard about. The question is, how many resources should we expend on eliminating them?"
"None." Vernon said, "They're not in the state anymore. It isn't part of our jurisdiction…"
"So…the Camarilla wasn't thorough as we thought?" Gideon asked, "What are these remaining rebels like?"
"Certainly no Nines Rodriguez or Isaac Abrams." Remus said.
"We will ignore them for now." Lafayette said, "Although, keeping an eye on them might be useful. Should any agent wish to partake in that, and perhaps knock a few of them off, then I am in no opposition to it."
Remus gave a nod, giving a covert one to Archie as well. "I'll handle it. I have connections to a few of those roaches. They'll be removed as soon as I can locate them." Archie said.
"Excellent." Lafayette grinned, "It seems our rise to power is only moments away…"
"There is another matter, that should be brought up." Remus said, "Mister Fitzroy has also discovered Giovanni influence in Hollywood. It could be a threat to our dominance in the city."
"Surely the Camarilla will dispatch the wretch, will it not?" Jasper joined the conversation.
Vernon shook his head, "Not with the Promise of fifteen twenty-eight in play." He said, "The Camarilla cannot interfere with the Giovanni and the Giovanni will not ruin the affairs of the Camarilla. Killing this Giovanni cell will fall on us, I'm afraid."
"I shall eliminate this threat." Remus said, "And I shall take you as an initiation." He looked at the four Serpents of Light, "He will surely be outnumbered. Especially if his only hope of defense is a bumbling squad of kine security."
"Are you sure it should be you who's in command?" Lafayette asked.
Gideon snickered, "Yes…wouldn't want the sleeper put back to sleep!" He laughed.
Remus glared at the Malkavian, then he faced forward again, "On the contrary, such a battle will truly awaken me to the larger war that we're facing."
"Besides, if we gain access to that club, we can turn it into a Sabbat facility." Archie said. The Sabbat would have already been happy enough, having Vesuvius, but, Archie didn't tell them about that.
Vesuvius was his. Maybe he'd be willing to share the Elbow Room.
"Ah, an interesting point." Lafayette said, "Well, if everyone has discussed this business for tonight, then I will end the meeting."
Three Kindred remained after the meeting ended, it was the three highest ranking members of the Sabbat.
"I am quite surprised that you were able to survive…Remus." Lafayette smiled, "Though, it is a welcome surprise. Now we can finally commence with our real plans of action."
"Finally." Cedric said, "Still…" He clenched his metal hands into fists, "This Giovanni causes a problem." He looked at Remus, "Allow me to rip him apart, limb by limb! The wretched, foul creature deserves as much."
"Such actions will not be necessary." Remus said, "If you took drastic actions against this Giovanni, it would reveal who you really are, and we cannot have that, lest we strike the wrath of the rest of them." He said, "I will kill this Giovanni, and we will be back on schedule."
"Yes." Lafayette said, "And then, we shall focus on Madame Vaska…she will die by my hands." He said, "And then, finally, New York."
"Yes, very good, master." Remus and Cedric bowed, before departed.
Lafayette smiled and clasped his hands together, hearing the distant cries of 'mommy' from the lower levels of the castle. Oh well, more Vicissitude practice wouldn't hurt, maybe one day Basil could join him.
A/N: Do you think we forgot about that little kid? Of course not! This has to be rated M for a reason. Thanks for reading!