The rain is falling like the Devil's pitchforks from the sky

Montreal. A prime example of the ebb and flow of a seedy underbelly that threatens to spill out and smother a society of flickering virtue. A city of European pretence and Western decadence. The city is a lie… and I hate lies. The truth is like a hot spear and I intend to skewer this nest of deception like a blasphemous pig, squealing out it's dying falsehoods. I came here for answers. There’s someone here that knows me, knows what I need. I can feel it in my gut. And my gut never lies. Call it detective’s intuition. My past, the red star, God, the war in the city; it’s all connected. And once the dots are connected it’ll show a picture of my reckoning. Someone’s going to pay. And they better leave a generous tip.

Marco, Marco, Marco...

Why do you continue to hunt me? Why here? Why now?

What I did was in a previous life, what do these things matter now?

It was only business, in past life no less, why the fuck did you have to make it so goddamn personal?

Just please, leave me be, I harbour no ill intent towards you. Forget about this meaningless quest for revenge, I ask this for both or sakes...

To a battle well fought!

Comrades,

It seems like only the other night I arrived in this city as a stranger, surrounded by enemies and not knowing who to trust.

Things have changed since then, for on this one night, we fought and bled together for a common cause. We proved that together, we can accomplish the near impossible.

We showed to all, that to fuck with one of us is to fuck with all of us, that although we may be few we will not sit idle while our enemies attack us. Our retribution will be fierce, such that all will know, they might be stronger then us, they might be more then us, but fuck with us and we'll leave you with one hell of a bloody nose.

Jeshaan - You fought valiantly and with honour. My sincerest condolences for your loss. You and your brethren are a true asset for our cause.

Jeremy - I hope your thirst for vengeance is quenched and that you manage to retrieve a little of what you lost. I know that perhaps you still hold it against me for what I did, but know I only did what I thought was best, and I tried my hardest to make it up to you.

Violette - You're one crazy bitch on the battleground! You fought hard and well, and gave it your all, we can ask for nothing more.

Tabitha - You're a brave girl! Without you I feel we would have had a very very difficult time, well done! I hope that you'll come play with us again next time we venture into town.

Long Tom - Once again you have shown your commitment to our cause. I know that you have made some enemies since casting your lot with us, but know that we are here should you ever need anything.

Faith - You sided with us no questions asked, you too showed your commitment. You fought selflessly and with passion, I hope you have a feeling of accomplishment and purpose for what you did.

Oscar - It seems that I may have misjudged you, I'll admit that and apologise. When the shit hit the fan you sided with us, god knows how the battle would have turned out without you and Byron. You proved invaluable, and for that you have my thanks and respect.

Lola - I truly thought that you didn't care about our plight. I was wrong, you too fought bravely with us. Well maybe you won't call yourself an anarch, your actions have led me to believe otherwise. I consider you one of us, and in case you haven't figured this out about me, that means a hell of alot. You have my gratitude.

Finally, Madam Gunimarre - I salute you Madam! Unlike many Camarilla princes who let there archons and minions stride into battle while they sit comfortably on their thrones, you put yourself at risk fought with us on the front lines. You are a true example of a Baroness, you have my undying loyalty.

Well done again to all on a battle well fought. I know there may be repercussions for what we did that night, but I feel what we accomplished was well worth it. We worked together and were victorious against a powerful foe, we would do well to remember this.

Viva la Revolución!

Regards,

Luca

Shadows within Shadows

I hate it when the fog is this thick. Makes it impossible to find anyone. All I see are phantoms, half-imagined shadows. Shadows within shadows.
Malachi! Where are you my friend? I've been trying to find you! I need you, I can't do this by myself...

Minute

That someone in my head said to me, 'I can tell
Deep in your heart you’ll find what you need'.
Wasted time building castles with sand
And every night I’ll watch them fall and slip through my hands.
And just when I think I’m on top I wonder how I’ll get back down.
When your heart skips a beat, silence be afraid,
I’m loving the heat, honey, I got the rest of time
and I feel oh-so-good like I should, and I know
time is frozen.
What I say and what I mean are two very different things.
I can't help it,
I'm a romantic fool.
It's a habit of mine
To watch the sun go down.
I’ll play from dusk till dawn.
I don’t wanna go to bed now!
Fuel can take a minute to light...
Maybe, baby, maybe, maybe we could go into the sun
Every little maybe makes me feel I’ve won.

Gift

Tomorrow morning, an hour before sunrise, climb up somewhere high (a skyscraper, a hill, a crane, whatever) and look East. I have a present for you.

xxx
Lola

Jeremy - sorry, I know you're a little crazy but you mean well. I know I should take you more seriously. Let me know if you need a hand. Think you might find this 'ironic' (is that the right word?). Promise I'm not trying to kill you!

Luca - new guy, let's just say that Lola says 'welcome'. You'll get used to it.

Oscar - I know you'll be frowning but deep deep down you're enjoying it - right? Promise I won't tell!

Faith - bet you miss it sometimes. If you squint a bit you can pretend it's the real thing.

Tom - you'll like this for entirely the wrong reason; no, you will love this!

Magpie - something beautiful and scary for you - what's new?

Welcome to the Jungle!

“Worse then Seattle boss?” Mikey asked skeptically.

“Worse then Seattle” I repeat to myself with a nervous chuckle.

“This place makes Seattle look like a kindergarten!” I exclaimed, followed again by a chuckle.

Mikey remained quiet, either out of shock or simply waiting for me to continue.

“You should have seen it Mikey, they had ten times more guards at my welcoming then at maximum security prison. At first I thought it was a simple show of muscle, but after seeing their reaction when they realised I came alone, I knew better.” I said, my gaze fixed on the lit cigarette in my hand.

Mikey continued to remain quiet. He knows me well. He knows when to talk, and when to listen.

I shake my head, “Once that Nossie came up to me saying how they we’re all fucked I knew these guys were in serious shit, he was proper scared and he didn’t look like no wimp to me.” I say, taking a drag of my smoke.

Mikeys cue to put a word in.

“Yea boss, makes sense. I had feeling Miguel was sending us into a shit storm. I mean, how often does a Cammy Prince join the Anarchs?”

“Yea.” I reply, “We normally have to throw their asses out, fuck me, who would of thought it would be worse them JOINING us!?”

The seriousness of the discussion broke for a minute as laughter erupted.

“They must have made some serious fucking camarilla enemies though boss, and lets not forget the huge Sabbat presence here, it’s no surprise they hitting the mattresses.” Mikey said once the laughter died.

This time I remained quiet.

“You just do what you do best boss, Miguel knew if there’s anyone who can sort this shit out it’s you.”

That last statement proved to me that Mickey truly saw the mountain of a job I had ahead of me. Again, he knows me well, he can see through my bravado, that face I put on for the troops.

“Thanks Mikey, you right, I’m just gonna do what I do best.” I repeated, trying to reassure myself as I put out my smoke.

“Now tell about what Mafia contact you’ve made?”

“Yea boss, turns out a couple of wise guys moved up north during the prohibition to help smuggle the booze down…”

Business continues.