Christine has been a busy girl.  Setting up the occasional 'private party', making sure the dealers are honest, going over the books of the casino, making a couple of small changes here and there.  Mostly in line with the ideas that Doc had for his own casino.  Making these small changes, with permission of course, gives her a slightly nostalgic feeling.  She can remember, only too easily, the first days of being with Doc.  The fear that he would be like the other...even the fear that he wouldn't be.  Now, she rarely remembers the other, unless she catches a glimpse of the cautery art on her back...something no one has seen, except herself, Doc and the other.
She's going on a short vacation now.  A few days away with Doc, to discuss things, renew their bond, and get some much needed rest.

Thomas has been having Alexi work with Christine a bit on the paperwork and bookkeeping ends of things lately.

Surely the man doesnt enjoy it, but its more Thomas' way of keeping an eye on Christine. She is after all someone elses ghoul. She is only as trustworthy as she is breakable.

And Thomas cant be everywhere at once...

There is a plan in the works, when Christine returns from her vacation she may find life a bit different..

So, she's back, and seeing what, if anything is different.  

Seems that being 'someone else's ghoul' even if that someone is helping with the finances of the casino is not all sunshine and roses.  Not only does she have to work twice as hard to show herself trustworthy, but that feeling of being shut off from things intensifies at times.  Its lonely, most times, with her domitor off doing his own thing.  Its also a fearful time, knowing that her domitors habit of going after anything in a skirt can be fatal to her own bond with him.  She could control things when she was there, making sure he only got the dumber ones, the ones who wouldn't try and dislodge her.  Without her there...hard telling what might happen.

There is also the problem of, what is she supposed to do, when eyed by the local kindred?  True, she's got a bit of leeway in things, but even so...while Doc might turn a blind eye to her on again off again 'fling' with a certain mage of her aquaintance, he wouldn't be quite so agreeable should she pass some time with another kindred.  

All in all...a not very agreeable position.  Probably about to get worse as well.

With the destruction of his latest architecctural feat Thomas has been a bastard to work for.

Hes drawing up plans, the Casino and Hotel are to be remodelled. He is like a man possessed. Of course poor pining Christine catches the worst of it.

Shes not his ghoul and for some reason thats bothering Thomas more and more every day. She is a security threat and that needs to change... one way or another.

Thomas breezes through the lounge.

'Alexi, come with me please.'

Stated as an order to his faithful ghoul, he heads right into Christines office.

Very rarely does Alex receive a direct order from Mister Arturo, however when one comes down it means his Domitor is more than serious and it is not a time to make him wait.  

Alexi will quickly excuse himself from everything he is currently engaged in and on his way across the room falls into place behind Thomas Arturo.   Alexi straightens his tie and suit jacket so as to always look his best when around Thomas.

When the two men enter Christines cramped, busy office she will immediately get the feeling htat whatever has been building is here. Things have gone from bad to worse and she is in a very bad spot.

Thomas rests both his hands on Christines desk and looks at her.

'Christine, the terms of our agreement need to be Renegotiated.'  

--Last edited by Radiationjunkie on 2008-07-25 15:24:12 --

Alexi will clear the room of any stragglers before turning and locking the door behind them.  Alex will stand in front of the door, hands at his side and watch what is to unfold.

A deep breath, then a calm look at Thomas.  Renegotiated?  'please explain'

'Your Domitors patronage is no longer needed to keep this Casino afloat.'

Christine would know full well that unless Thomas has another investor up his sleeve he is exaggerating.

'That being the case your position goes from tolerable to threatening. As i am sure you are fully aware...'

Thomas straightens up and backs off by maybe half a step. He unbuttons his cuffs and rolls up the sleeves of his shirt to the elbow as he speaks.

'So what we are going to do is send a message to your beloved Doc and let him know you are no longer amongst the living. A tragedy really, but I, feeling his pain over your loss. Will offer to buy out his stock and make sure he never has to return to this wretched place that took away his lovely ghoul again...'

Thomas doesnt think very highly of Doc, clearly.

'But dont be afraid, we wont be killing you. I need your services to continue i just wish to ensure your loyalty when your interests are no longer secure.'

Alexi, standing behind Thomas would surely see the small meat cleaver resting in the small of Thomas' back, supported in his belt. Nothing says divorce like mailing someone your ring fingers...  

--Last edited by Radiationjunkie on 2008-07-26 10:18:36 --

Christine also knows, full well, that Doc would feel the bond being severed were she really dead.  She's been through enough, as has he, to know what happens at such a time.  After all, he's almost killed her a few times when bonds he's jumped into were severed.  Even though her heart is beating wildly enough from fear that he can probably hear it, her mind is working overtime as well.  What to say, to, somehow, keep this madman from carrying out his threat?  She's also no stranger to extreme pain, merely not a fan of it, and certainly not interested in having any more physical...or emotional pain.

'you are trying to tell an accountant the facts?' *taps one of the books in front of her* 'you probably forget, I know enough about the finances, heck, I've contributed to them as well' *nods* 'its not just Johns money keeping this place afloat, its mine as well'

She straightens up, trying to look fearless, but wishing she could go for the pistol in the waistband holster, without them knowing exactly what she was doing.  'as for your threat, do you really believe that he won't know I'm still alive?  Our bond is not just of the blood, its deeper than that, even so...if you've ever had a bond break, its unmistakeable'

Another deep breath. 'you've not thought this through, I was told, ordered, to do all I could to help you, why would I go against that?'

she also considers pleading for her life...or whatever else, but decides that would just hasten the pain.  Oh..doc, or for that matter, Lucas, where are you now?

Thomas only seems to spiral deeper into anger as dares to call part so this place hers. With a sweep of his arm he sends her books, computer and anything else that may have been on her desk crashing to the floor.

'DO not presure you are irreplaceable. Your bond with Doc is not mutual. You are a Ghoul. You are bound to Him. Your blood is no different than any other Kine. You may know if he dies but trust me, feelings are not mutual...'

Thomas knows the deal well. He speaks back to Alexi.

'Disarm her and hold her down, Alexi.'

His eyes remain on Christine. He knows she carries a pistol, knows she can use it. He also knows these little toys give mortals a false sense of security. Ever since the invention of the flintlock these devices have made killing easier for the Dead.

'Dont fight it Christine. This is all for your own good and will benefit us all. We just need one finger.'  

--Last edited by Radiationjunkie on 2008-07-26 12:43:28 --

Alexi will walk behind Christine, his face cold and emotionless.  Walking behind the desk he will briefly pat her down and upon finding the firearm in the waist holster, remove it.  

Expertly cocking the firearm he will grab the back of Christines neck and push her face towards the desk with one hand, while placing the barrell of the gun to the back of her head with the other.  

--Last edited by Alexi Demetrius Stapkovich on 2008-07-26 14:46:58 --

Christine would flinch as books, computer and everything else went crashing to the floor, then a brief, but useless struggle before being pushed down onto the desk...both hands landing on the desk, as if to keep her head from crashing, painfully onto said desk.  

Of course, with both hands right there, and her partially dazed for a moment...now would be the time to strike.

That would be too easy. Thomas has to showboat, Thomas has to make sure shes paying attention when her limbs are chopped off...

His cold hand latches onto Christines right wrist and drags her arm out. Effectively stretching her onto the desktop with Alexi ontop of her.

He removes the cleaver with his free hand and glints its heavy head against the harsh flourescent light.

'Things will really be much better after this Christine. You understand dont you?'

Chris is shaking her head, tears beginning to show in those big grey eyes, that are fixed, pleadingly on Thomas, even though she can tell its wasted on him.  

Biting her lip, until her teeth break the skin, tries to pull her hand away, even though that also is a definate no-go.  She can only wait...agonizingly...until its done.

Alexi has seen this act before, though never on one of his "co-workers" so to speak.  But being one of Thomas Arturo's ghouls does have some interesting perks.

A small smirk comes across Alexi's normally stern face......and as perverse as it sounds, he's enjoying this.  Slowly some of the shreds of what remains of his humanity slip away...

18:28:13 Alex rolls 2 dice to Conscience (Diff 8) 3,2 (failure) (humanity 5 now kids)

Slowly Alexi will lick the back of Christines neck as Thomas prepares to strike...

2008-07-26 18:21:05 Radiation rolls 4 dice to Thomas, cleaver vs hand (Diff 7, used willpower) 3,8,8,5 (3 successes)
2008-07-26 18:21:23 Radiation rolls 8 dice to Thomas, cleaver dmg 3,4,10,5,3, 6,3,8 (3 successes)
------------------------------------------------------------

When Christine wont speak Thomas just shakes his head and raises the cleaver. He glances up just enough to be sure Alexi has her tight and he strikes, swinging the heavy blade down on the fingers of Christines right hand.

His blow isnt as accurate as he would like. He cant isolate just one finger...

The cleaver buries into the wood of the desk, Mirroring Christines eyes back at her. Her middle finger, half her ring finger, and the tip of her pinky rolling across the desktop...

-----------------------------------------
Christine wanna roll for a ghoul frenzy?
Self control diff 7.

PAIN !!!!!!!!!!

As the cleaver cuts off her fingers, she screams. probably loudly enough to be heard several states away, pulling away hard enough to throw Alexi off her, and most likely into the wall.

(failed frenzy roll)
So...yeah, she's going to attack, totally unaware of what she's doing.  Unless stopped.

(and just to make things nice)
3 suxx on throwing alexi off her