The night after she killed Alexi Christine will be disturbed by a knock at her door. If she awoke earlier in the day from her sleeping pills she would have seen a note from Arturo telling her she is not to attend her duties in the casino, she is to rest and clear her head; he has a suprise for her that night.

The knock on the door is one of the staff. A cute brunette who usually carries drinks around the casino or sells chips at the counter.

'Good evening, Miss Johnson.'

She begins, smiling politely.

'Mister Arturo wanted me to bring you a message; he says he has a suprise for you waiting in loading dock three out back. He is down there preparing it now.'

She had rested, not well, but...at least she was cleaned up, dressed as usual in her usual 'uniform' of white blouse, grey skirt and black low heeled shoes.  Brushing her hair, braiding it and winding it into a coronet took up some time, so when the knock came, she hadn't managed to chew off all her fingernails in agonized anticipation.

'thank you, Janet'

The smile wasn't quite all there, and the dark circles under her eyes were a testament to bad dreams, and worse imaginings that had plagued her for most of the night and the day.  She did try, at least, hoping the staff, if any saw her would put it down to a sudden case of the flu, or, well...something.


'I'd best not keep Mr. Arturo waiting'

There, that sounded a bit better, she closed the door, carefully, then made her way to loading dock three.  When she got there, she was deathly pale.  Way too much imagination, thinking of all the things that could be there, starting with Thomas having decided she was a major liability and was going to have her 'taken care of' a 'swim with the fishes and cement overshoes, or the police about to take her to jail.  With every step, her heart was growing heavier, her fright increasing, and she just knew, without a shadow of a doubt that everything was just not going to be a 'fun' surprise.

The fact she even made it to the loading dock, let alone stepped out, was sheer testament to the power of not only the blood bond, but the entrancement.

Loading dock three is on the edge of the building. As Christine steps out onto the platform she will note the tall garage door is fully open to the outside world. She will spot Arturo talking to two men near the opening. She walks in just in time to hear him finish his sentence:

'...she has proved to be the most loyal and resourceful of all my thralls.'

Hearing Christine come out Arturo will turn and becon her to approach the small group.

Chris will go even paler, if possible, when she hears Arturo.  Now she just knows nothing good can possibly come of this.  Shaking like a leaf, and probably looking about ready to faint, certainly nothing like the avenging angel who shot Alexi the night before.

Her stomach in knots and butterflies, her knees shaking enough to make her move slowly, in order to move at all.  Right now, she's working on not disgracing herself, and Arturo by not being sick.  Not that that would be easy, not having eaten anything for quite some time.

Coming up beside Arturo, she'll look up into his face for any kind of sign. Of anything, before looking at the two men, eyes wide, dark and, frankly, scared.

Christine wont likely recognize either man. They are both plain, dressed in overcoats and hats like they stepped out of the great depression and somehow wound up in the casino. Arturo will wait until Christine approaches to explain whats going on.

'Christine. I have decided it will be best to err on the side of caution regarding recent events. Mister Hyde and Mister Grey have graciously offered to take you off my hands and insure your safety from mortal authorities.'

There is obviously so much more to this deal; but its nothing a ghoul need concern herself with. Arturo wouldnt explain it to her anyway. With the introduction Christine will suddenly recognize Mister Grey for who he really is once he drops his powers of obfuscate and his form is suddenly revealed to be nearly a foot and a half taller than the one he assumed. Mister Grey is the same bulbous headed, pointy toothed, bug eyed Nosferatu that harassed her at the halloween gathering.

'Oh yes she will do just nicely. Dont you agree there Hyde?'

Greys long bony, triple jointed fingers will reach out to pinch at Christines hip as if checking for body fat.

Chris may look like the typical 'fainting heroine' from every romance book, or at least those that feature brunettes, but she's never fainted in her life.  Or if she has, it was extremely unusual circumstances.  Perhaps like being partially drained of blood.  In this case, while white enough to have people think she will, her eyes merely glaze over with shock.

Oh yes, she recognizes Mr. Grey, and the idea of being, well...casually tossed over to these two is enough to make this normally very biddable,and lets be honest, rather weak willed girl suddenly want to just run away, and never be found again.  Maybe she just doesn't like these two, or has gotten some information about the clan itself, probably from someone who doesn't know anything except rumours, that would make this the ultimate in horrors.

Turning to Arturo, one last breathless plea...

'sir...I know you could keep me safe'

Flinching away from the pinching fingers.

Hyde will follow suit with Grey, dropping his Obfuscation and stepping forward to scrutinize Christine, his massive hand wrapped around his chin in consideration.

"Indeed me ol' chap, she ought'ta bring a bit a life ta th' place. A woman's touch an' all 'at."

He watches carefully as Grey tests the elasticity of her skin.

"Ya gotta check the gums chap. Iss th' only way ta be sure."

Another shudder, even as she keeps, or tries to keep those pleading eyes on Thomas.  She would snap at the two, but, who knows what would happen if she did, as it is.....

Thomas repeats; his voice growing colder.

'You will go with these gracious kindred and you will be safe.'

Mister Grey pops a finger against his skull and reaches for Christines mouth with his gangly fingers.

'Oh right. Let us see them choppas my pretty.'

Stepping away from Thomas, looking down.

'forgive me sir...' Swallows.  'as you command'

With that, a slow quarter turn to actually face them.

Mister Grey uses his gnarly fingers to push up Christines lip. He doesnt know exactly what hes looking for on her gums but she seems healthy enough for him. Grey nods and looks to Hyde for his approval.

Thomas glances at his watch and speaks to Christine again; like a father sending a child off to summer camp.

'Youll be alright Christine. I will see you when things calm down.'

With that Thomas will turn and head back into the Casino. He has already made his deal with the Nosferatu, they can take things from here.

A lifeline to hold onto...that oh so simple phrase, he'll see her when things calm down.  That is the only thing that is going to keep her from slitting her own wrists, or throat, as the nossies look her over like some kind of animal they were unsure of.

'f..forgive me, gentlemen, I..I meant no disrespect'

That stutter she thought she had gotten rid of, back.  

She'll flinch away from the poking and prodding, while waiting to see what would happen next.  

--Last edited by Christine Johnson on 2009-02-03 08:00:06 --

While she certainly cannot wish Arturo evil, she can hope that he misses her...just a little.  After all, she'd reorganized everything so his casino ran smoothly, few, if any problems.  

In her more rational moments, she would realize that he could easily replace her, the old saying, no one is irreplaceable' ringing through her head.  In her less rational moments, which she had more and more of, her fantasies would take over.  

'We know we arent pretty. That flinch will go away in a few years.'

Grey rasps at Christine in what might be a form laughter. His long, bony fingers wrap around her elbow like a quartet of cold garden snakes.

'Come now Dearie, we best be gettin back home. We need to introduce you to the rest of the family..'

There is nothing she can say in reply that probably would not be taken wrongly.  So, she says nothing, merely looking at those bony fingers on her arm, and allowing them to lead her away.

One final glance over her shoulder, then, off to meet her fate.

[I will Continue in the Hovel]