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Post by Smoothie on Sept 6, 2006 2:34:29 GMT
Nicolai nodded to him, his eyes darting around the room as he made his way to the chair. "Thank you," he said as he sat down.
Breath, Nicolai breath! Don't let them see your anxiety. They'll know it's there either way, just don't let them see it!
He put his hands in his lap, fingers interlaced, then separated them putting one open hand on each knee and resolved to leave them there.
He looked into the fire but focused his attention on Benito.
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Post by Storyteller on Sept 6, 2006 21:49:11 GMT
Benito takes a seat in one of the other armchairs, the one more-or-less opposite yours, and lenas forward, palms together, pointing at you, his expression neutral.
"Now, Nicolai, before we begin tonight proper, and I introduce you to a few people, I need to find out exactly what you know, or rather, what you think you know; about the party, about our leadership, and about the way the country is run. So, if you would be so kind as to outline what you know to me, just so I can get the measure."
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Post by Smoothie on Sept 7, 2006 5:19:15 GMT
This made him very uncomfortable, but he figured he didn't really know anything, so what harm could there be?
He tapped his chin for a moment as he composed his answer.
"I don't really know anything, but, sure, I'll tell you what I think may be going on.
"Perhaps our illustrious leader reached the top on his own but got hit with early senility. ...or he was hit with something by someone who wanted the power but not the exposure. What he was hit by, if anything, or who he was hit by... I cannot begin to guess.
"It's obvious he's not running things. What's not obvious is who is.
"That's about it. I don't really know what else to say about it because I suppose I could speculate about more detailed theories all night long. That use useless however. I expect you or someone will tell me some, if not all, of what is really going on." He shifted in his chair and leaned on one elbow.
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Post by Storyteller on Sept 11, 2006 18:39:31 GMT
Benito smiles and nods.
"Good. Excellent. You have, from the outside, seen exactly what we wanted you, what we wanted everyone, to see, and, having seen a bit beyond the veil, you are capable of understanding some of what's above you."
"You're right, Nikolai, a lot will be revealed to you tonight, and you will find yourself...changed...from the experience."
"However"
He stands
"It is not my place to tell you. Wait here, I will return shortly."
He walks out of the room, and turns left, up the corridor, and out of sight. You're left reeling with how quickly he shattered your feelings of comfort from the situation. You're left to yourself for a few moments, incapable of fighting back your scattered thoughts.
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Post by Smoothie on Sept 12, 2006 2:52:35 GMT
Nicolai stood politely when Sebastian rose and sat back down as he left.
One foot on the dock, one foot on the boat.
He wondered at that image. He'd spent very little time around docks let alone on boats, but it described his feeling perfectly.
...Almost perfectly he amended. There's no going back to the dock, too much momentum. I must, very soon, jump into the boat.
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Post by Storyteller on Sept 14, 2006 20:39:29 GMT
About 5 minutes of agonising silence, and waiting, later, Sebastian re-enters the room, with another man just behind him. The new man has a slender, almost fragile, build, wearing a similar suit to Sebastian, except it strikes you as somehow odd, almost slightly dated, but subtly so.
Sebastian address you.
"Nikolai, this is Serghei"
"Serge, please." the man interjects, offering a hand to shake.
Seb: "Serghei isn't the man at the top, indeed, it may be a while before you do encounter the man at the top, but, if all goes to plan, you eventually will. Serge is going to explain to you the basics of our operation here."
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Post by Smoothie on Sept 15, 2006 5:43:19 GMT
"Excellent." Nicolai feels relief and disapointment. The pressure seems to be off for now, but that means there is more waiting.
He shakes Serge's hand, firmly but careful not to squeeze too hard, "I'm very pleased to meet you, Serge."
He follows Serge's lead, eager to hear what he has to say.
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Post by Storyteller on Sept 25, 2006 17:53:31 GMT
Serge sits in one of the chairs, leaning into towards you, while Sebastian walks round behind your chair, making you very nervous indeed. You don't quite dare look round, but still stay alert.
Serge addresses you.
"You've already realised that the government of this country is out of the realms of normal politics, and that nothing is as it seems. However, what you don't know is the extent of the issue. This country's power isn't just out of the reach of the people. It's out of the reach of mortals."
He grins, and you note the sharpness of his teeth.
What!?
"In the shadows of this country, Nikolai, there is a brotherhood. We call ourselves the Kindred, and it is in us that the power of this country rests. The brotherhood goes back centuries, though the control of the governement is more of a by-product of modern politics. There are many levels to the brotherhood, and at each, more is revealed, but tonight is your chance to enter."
"This is a unique opportunity, Nikolai. This offer will be made once, and once only. You have been selected for your skills, and for your unwavering loyalty to the party."
He pauses, and takes a deep breath. In the silence, you become aware of your shaking.
"So then, comrade Nikolai, what's it to be? Will you, tonight, opt to join our brotherhood? Will you throw off the shackles of society, and join the first step of the elite?"
He extends an open palm, tilted on its side, towards you. You're not quite sure what the gesture means, but it seems to suggest a welcoming from afar. You don't quite know how to interpret that, either.
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Post by Smoothie on Sept 26, 2006 7:59:01 GMT
As the two took their positions, Nicolai tried to release his unease. He was nearly successful, focusing on his faith that this was his destiny, he wasn't able to relax, exactly, but he was able to accept.
I'm not sure what he's talking about, but I am sure that I want to find out.
When Serge made the confusing gesture with his hand, Nicolai took the offered hand as if to shake it but just held it and said, "I will."
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Post by Storyteller on Sept 27, 2006 21:20:31 GMT
Serge smiles, and nods to Sebastian, behind you, who you hear busying himself with something.
"In that case, we shall swear you in, right here, right now."
Sebastian comes forward, holding an old metal challice, which he hands to Serge, before stepping back.
"Do you, Nikolai Rescu, swear allegience to the Kindred, as an acolyte of the Brotherhood?"
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Post by Smoothie on Sept 27, 2006 23:09:42 GMT
Secret rites of initiation!
Nicolai stands, "I do."
There's some fear in his belly. Something about swearing, making promises to gods...
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Post by Storyteller on Oct 5, 2006 18:32:59 GMT
"Then, Nikolai, drink from the challice, as the others who have come before you did."
He hands you the cup. It's dull-golden, with a symbol on it. You don't get too good a look at the symbol though. Very biblical, overall. It's filled with a deep-red liquid. You're not quite sure you want to guess what it is.
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Post by Smoothie on Oct 5, 2006 22:57:53 GMT
Holding the chalice with both hands, Wic suppressed a shudder but drank.
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Post by Storyteller on Feb 23, 2007 12:11:27 GMT
A long pause ensues, though it only takes a few seconds. You feel...different...having drunk the liquid. It does taste like blood, and, at the same time, it doesn't. Blood tastes largely foul, but this, this tastes like sweet nectar, in a way you can't describe.
You sit forward, and erupt from your reverie. Serge is standing directly in front of you, though you didn't see him move there.
"Acolyte Rescu. Nikolai. There is much for you to learn now, if you will. That which you have now drunk you must drink again, when the time comes. You shall come to this place regularly, at least once a month, or more, as ordered, and receive it. Think of it as a...kind of communion."
"For now, you must prepare yourself for the next stage, if you are to be of any use to the brotherhood. Take this" He hands you a small, weathered pamphlet; "Study this tonight, and come back here tomorrow. We shall have orders for you."
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Post by Smoothie on Feb 24, 2007 2:47:11 GMT
Nicolai nods and stands, putting the pamphlet in his pocket for later study.
"Uh, okay then," he unceremoniously heads for the door. "Goodnight."
He heads home, has a few drinks and goes to bed alone.
In the morning, he might have thought it a dream, there certainly were more dreams than normal, but then he remembers the pamphlet. He takes it out and realizes it was very real. He spends the day inside, studying the pamphlet carefully.
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