His bones ache with hunger. The 12 hour delay air side in Chicago on account of this cursed storm means that he has not fed in what feels like a geological epoch. Not for the first time his eyes wander towards the toilet door, a pleasant daydream of victual brutality creasing his aged face in a fleeting smile.
His eyes follow a female passenger as she unfastens her seat belt, extricates herself elegantly from her seat and walks towards the bathroom. He appreciates her shapely figure and short skirt as she stretches, shaking off the torpor of the flight. His interest is not prurient but assessing the quality and volume of her blood. How easily would she part with it? As she arrives at the door, Ravana chides himself. Far too risky. Reluctantly he returns to his drink.
Opening his window blind, he stares out into the snowstorm, trying to quell the hunger that consumes him. A loud bang and a flash of light interrupts his thoughts as the plane drops like a stone, plunged into darkness. A sudden silence is punctured by screaming and the wailing of an infant as Ravana is thrown against his seatbelt by a further bout of turbulence. The hostesses are courageously trying to get first aid and consolation to those who need it most. The bathroom door is ajar, the figure of the girl struggling to her feet is silhouetted by the emergency lighting.
Ravana is on her in a flash. Extending himself into his true form, he pins her chest to the ceiling with one gangly limb, pinioning her splayed legs against the bulkhead with the other. His clawed bloody hand let’s not a breath escape, feeling her teeth vibrate in a silent scream. There was a time Ravana denied his राक्षस origins, corralled his baser instincts. No more. He brings his face up to hers in the gloom, savouring the tears and streaked make-up of a terror that doesn’t yet realise it’s about to get a whole lot worse. Hiking her skirt, he sinks the sharpness of his fangs into the soft flesh of her inner thigh. His tongue finds the femoral artery and Ravana sucks her essence. She writhes, bucks, flails and thrashes but not a thud escapes, so tightly does he hold her, her struggles only serving to pump her blood faster.
The blood high hits the backs of his legs first, then the back of his neck, a spreading wave of relaxation slackening the muscles away from the bones so that he seems to float without outlines, like lying in warm salt water. As this relaxing wave spreads through his tissues, he experiences a strong feeling of fear. He has the feeling that some horrible image is just beyond his field of vision, moving as he turns his head, so that he never quite sees it. He feels nauseous and closes his eyes, at the mercy of the final intimate thoughts of this dying girl. A series of pictures pass, like watching a movie: a huge, neon-lit cocktail bar that gets larger and larger until streets, traffic, and street repairs are included in it; a waitress carrying a skull on a tray; stars in a clear sky. The physical impact of the fear of death; the shutting off of breath; the stopping of blood. And she is gone.
Ravana lets the lifeless skin sack drop to the floor and takes a moment to compose himself. Returning to his lesser form, he flicks a piece of lint from his immaculate charcoal single-breasted suit. Using his immense strength, he wedges the bathroom door shut such that only a sledge hammer or arc welder will shift it. He finds his seat as the cabin lighting returns to reveal a chaotic scene shortly to be interrupted by a Mid-Western drawl.
“Sorry about that folks, we hit some turbulence but nothing we can’t handle. Luckily no one was seriously hurt. Unfortunately the starboard engine has failed. This is not a problem, the plane is perfectly safe on one engine, but we will need to make an unscheduled stop in … Ed, where is the stop?” The sound of muffled cursing filters through from the background.
“Umm Ed is currently cutting the fuel supply to the failed engine, he’ll be back with us real soon. So, we’ve requested an immediate landing. On account of the storm, it is likely to be at least 36 hours before we can get a plane out to take you to Houston. When we land (and not before) y’all will need to let your loved ones know you’re going to be late coz your stuck for a few days at United Airlines expense in ….. Ed, you got the fuel line shut? Great, great!”
The sudden silence is filled with the muted whir of landing gear. As they drop down through the heavy cloud, Ravana watches as the city lights twinkle below. The bump and screech of tyres on tarmac bring the universal sigh of a safe landing from the jolted passengers.
“Hi this is Ed your co-pilot. I would like to welcome y’all to Ravenblack City”
Credit to William S. Burroughs for the blood high
]]>If you have a newsworthy story, email it to us and we will publish it and credit you. If you are a first time contributor, please attach the details of two vampires of renown that can vouch for your identity. If you notice any errors with the site, please do not hesitate to email the Editor.
]]>Madeye stares warily at the phone for over a minute after hanging up, his brow furrowed into a worried stack of nazca lines. That voice. That imperious FUCKING voice. They hadn’t exchanged words in ten years yet she had just phoned him with a favour to ask. Not only did she want something but she had that way of appearing irritated that he didn’t already know what it was. In fact he had the feeling that it would have been better if he’d just done it without being asked despite ten FUCKING years! O haughty queen of the Shadow Court this captain of FUCKING industry has PLENTY of time to spare to be your FUCKING errand boy. Sure, this global FUCKING empire will run itself while he galivants off.
Seething, Madeye leaps to his feet and strides over to a sumptuous mahogany drinks cabinet standing on one side of the room. Throwing open the doors with a bang he extracts a bottle of Method & Madness and a heavy cut-crystal whiskey glass. Pouring himself two fat fingers, his anger dissipates somewhat in the simple ritual. He walks over to the windows that dominate two sides of this extensive corner office. The twinkling incandescence of the lights of this human city draws his attention downwards, their inverted constellation dancing in the thickness of his whiskey glass. Very pretty but, like so many pretty things, so easily dominated. His mind is drawn back to the darkness that once ruled his life, that otherworld which had left it’s indelible mark on him.
Returning to his desk chair, he leans back into the thick burgundy of the pleated leather and lets the ghosts of his memories inundate him like a screaming clamour of gyllenstierna. The shimmering veils of the highs draw him briefly in with their passionate intensity before the lows plunge his head into a bucket of cold sick. He would have to be mad to re-open this Pandrora’s box. Yet. Yet here was Ravenblack’s city, something that could not be owned, not be bent to the will of one, though many had tried. Like the blackest of diamonds draws the gaze, the darkest of cities draws his mind.
Leaning forward, Madeye hefts the receiver of his vintage phone to his ear and hits redial, the fingers of his other hand drumming on the hardwood desktop. After a moments pause his voice fills the office
He replaces the handset without hesitation and clicks his fingers to re-activate the music.
As the first bars fill the room, he turns his focus to the terminal on the desk. He has work to do.
]]>In the beginning a great man was measured by his tyranny, and among the early tyrants Capadocious stood head and shoulders above the rest. Like him or loathe him, if your lips were not pressed firmly against his boot leather, you would spend your days screaming for death. Those who did not follow his creed were hunted almost to extinction. The city holds no fear of King Lestat, yet we are told that King Lestat was a great man.
Not all vampires bow meekly to the will of god. Some, the great ones, do not fear the wrath of Ravenblack. EvilBill stood up to the all powerful, and challenged his authority. In one of the city’s greatest battles, EvilBill came within a whisker of killing the almighty himself. King Lestat sinned and was destroyed without a whimper, yet we are told that King Lestat was a great man.
In a city that has seen a thousand battles, few have ever gone long undefeated. For over two years, the Shadow Court, under ophelias stewardship, annihilated all comers. Their primacy was only ended when the good lady voluntarily stood down. King Lestat has yet to truly distinguish himself in battle, yet we are told King Lestat was a great man.
King Lestat, through his own braggadocio, left his family destitute in the gutter, his clan on the back foot against their enemies, yet still we are told King Lestat was a great man. Well, this publication would like to make one thing clear: King Lestat was not a great man. In the company of the great vampires that have walked this city, King Lestat was no more than a hapless gimp.
]]>Congratulations Sir!
]]>Various sources reported at some point in time, Lestat had been seen slumming in the ghetto’s bragging of his abilities to illegally move coins from servants to others for a fee. We can only surmise here at the Grimoire that if Lestat indeed had this dark art skill, this would not be the first time he has used it. Confidence in charging others a fee for this indicates that one would have to be particularly skilled through practice in this trade. And were he not skilled through practice, one could again surmise the number of vampires he put in or could have put in jeopardy had he used it on them.
It seems his skill failed him and his luck ran out. Word on the streets is that the boy used this particular circus trick for his Sire, and RavenBlack, hearing of these antics not only erased him from the city for all intents and purposes but as well penalized his Sire.
While writing this article, I had the pleasure of conversing with Devil Miyu and I grew curious on what she would have to say about some of this. In asking her if she thought the newly born Saint Lestat would learn from the essense of his tainted former self, her only reply was ““Riiiight. And Britney Spears is a well-behaved good little virgin girl, right? Hah!” It was then that some random person dashed by shouting “ “Ohmuhgawwd!! LEAVE BRITNEY SPEARS ALONE! LEAVE HER ALONE!! crying heard JUST STOP!” When our laughter subsided She then added “ Leave Seth Green alone and watch Robot Chicken and Family Guy!”
We here at the Grimoire would offer condolences to the family members left behind by Lestat, but the evidence that he is not truely gone is quite obvious and we are almost certain he will be welcomed back to the fold of his family so–Welcome back? This writer is not sure at this point in time if we should instead offer congratulations or move foward and still send sympathies.
]]>Unfortunately, the event was overshadowed by the announcement that Lesion, well known for his seedy dealings, is in possession of “dirty pictures” of Yggdrasil’s psychopathic supremo, ophelia. The images are sure to be in great demand on account of the city elder’s delicate and haunting beauty.
It is not clear at this stage what he is hoping to achieve by announcing this publicly. It must be assumed that the alliance between Yggdrasil and the Empty Spirals is hanging by a thread as morning breaks. This only serves to reinforce the recent tension between lower level members of the two clans.
Although ophelia was unavailable for comment, NiFlhEiM, ophelias husband and long standing angelic snowflake, was caught by this reporter slipping out of Discount Magic in a pair of oversize dark glasses borrowed from his wife. Although he offered a few words, none of them can be printed in such an august organ as the Ravenblack Grimoire.
it’s meant to be fun, nothing more…
has every vampyre in this city lost it’s sense of humour?
Shaarinya Servant of Corruption Immortalis Decretum per Cruor
Personally, I found the test run of the televised news broadcast quite entertaining. Seeing as how it was stated that it was the test run, I find it difficult to understand how it was taken so out of context. Regarding the porno accusations, I ask you this: Where is the nudity? Where is the sex?
I find myself shaking my head wondering how something that is made for the sole purpose of city wide news has been taken to the level of Clan relations. In creating this televised edition of the BCI News, Lesion is acting as a reporter for said newspaper, not as Clan co-leader. It seems that there are pires and piresses out there who are unable to separate the two; a pire acting as leader/co-leader of his or her Clan, and then acting as a reporter. The two are separate.
CWolffire esposa de Cruz Empty Spiral’s Co-Leader
We think it’s absolutely hilarious. It sounds very much like it’s YOU who’ve lost your sense of humour.
oh shaar.. your thongs are on too tight.. why so defensive? relax, would ya?
And this once again demonstrates why I never come to this publication.
You’re all tight-asses. If someone doesn’t do something exactly how you think it should be done. You insult them.
I pity the staff here, I really do.
Except Sade, if he still works here of course….he rocks.
Lesion bragging he has dirty pictures of ophelia is Lesion bragging he has dirty pictures of ophelia, irresepective of which role he occupies at the time
Okay, talk about a lack of sense of humor. Shaar, really, pull the stick out of your ass. If you expect ME to find it amusing that yourself and Lesion chose to drag my name and ‘dirty photographs’ that don’t exist into your new endevour without permission and find it funny (note I have not said a single negative word regarding this on any paper or in public), then perhaps you can read this particular article and then go back to some previous articles and see the subtle humor in it as well.
If you cannot, that is your bad, not the Editor that wrote the article in question. In fact, there really wasn’t any kind of slam to your precious video in the article and perhaps you should say thank you for the free advertisement to your paper instead of having a hissy fit on it and slamming the Grim, the Editors and Owner, including myself-a part of your funny without permission- like petulant child.
On behalf of the Staff here, you are most welcome!
ophelia Lokason ~NiF’s Eternally~ Yggdrasil
I pity the staff here too. Do you have any idea how little I pay them?! In three years we’ve had six editors and they have all done me proud. I’d rather they posted nothing at all than endless mindless drivel. They know this and have honoured it. I’d rather look at a tight ass than hear about farts
Yeah, she said farts once, that makes the entire broadcast about farts. I can totally see where you all are coming from. rolls eyes
….Altania’s eyes back to her* Somehow I doubt that but that is neither here nor there at this point in time ;)
ophelia Lokason ~NiF’s Eternally~ Yggdrasil
Phe Phe (and I mean that in a very non-derrogetory way, honestly, I just thought it would be a fun nick name, but if you do not wish me to call you that, just say so and I will address you as Ophelia smiles)
My previous attitude was quite catty of me but honestly, I watched the video broadcast myself and I think it is hardly fair to say, and I quote, “it was entirely about Lesion’s farts.”
It was a test run, a short video test, that word was mentioned once, to say that it was the entire broadcast is ridiculous.
While I thank you for the kindness, I would prefer to be addressed as ophelia. It has long been my belief that nicknames should only be used by those that are close to each other on some level, be it good or bad- and I do not feel that you and I have developed that kind of relationship. Besides, Phe Phe is an exclusive name used by Damari, whom I had in turn called Doo Doo on occasion (snickers as she writes this)
I can understand your irritation at that ONE line in this entire article over a several moments long twinkle twinkle tune dedicated to the flatulence of Lesion, however just as there was more to that well done test run, there is quite a bit more to this article beyond the single line you have honed in on.
And much like you’ve expressed your opinion on said article, perhaps it is the opinion of the author of this article that the thing that sticks out in memory of the test run of this innovative idea is the tune dedicated to Lesions gas issues.
I find it amazing that quite a few have taken offense to the writer’s tongue in cheek article and bashed them for not having a sense of humor when it is painfully apparent that those same vampires are obviously lacking when the humor is directed back at them.
Again, thank you for your courteous comments Altania.
ophelia Lokason ~NiF’s Eternally~ Yggdrasil
Ophelia, you’re all too right on certain points.
While some believe that news must be button-down, serious business, I however, am more inclined to enjoy a more laid back style. Which I don’t find here. I feel as if because BCIN does have the more laid back attitude on most occasions, that their, as you called it, innovative idea was put down and poked fun at.
But I really don’t feel the need to argue these points back and forth, it’s not really something I enjoy. So where I am concerned, I think we should agree to disagree and I shall move on.
As for the supposed “photos” circulating, I have no idea where it came from but I wish you luck in straightening it out.
To my eyes, BCI News is no more than a cheap imitation of the truly original Nitty Gritty, and to a lesser extent VNN. As for the “photos”, the article supporting the publishing of the teaser video made clear reference to future content including “nothing but dirty pictures of prominent city residents such as Ophelia Lokason”.
All news publications with the exception of the VNN (which I wasn’t part of the original and the creation of both escapes me so I don’t really know which was first.) are a re-creation of the Nitty Gritty.
The RavenBlack Grimoire is not a re-creation of any other news publication
ophelia Lokason
~NiF's Eternally~
Yggdrasil
Altania,
You have that completely wrong. The Grimoire was around BEFORE The Nitty Gritty, in its first AND latest incarnations.
It is by no means the first news publication but its certainly been around the longest in this city (still publishing) than any other newspaper.
And may I add the longest running ever. Despite the VNN’s reincarnation from its original concept many years ago. It’s not the same thing as it’s original - but this newspaper is. The same news organisation, the same paper, in the same location with the same name and concept.
tuts
Damari ~Silence Raaawrs
Did I miss Shaar’s comment or did she delete it? _____
Damari ~Silence Raaawrs
That being said, who ever else has decided to launch attacks on any single or group of TiC members shall be disclaimed from HoH as friends or allies at this time.
Also, we will refrain from further attacks on Fire Hawk this evening until a member of TiC has contacted me or one of my co-leaders regarding his inexplicable drop in blood out of respect.
CrimsonClover High Council ~ House of Heorot
]]>Grimoire Editor: To start, lets go back to the beginning. At what point in time did HoH consider targeting What The?
blackdragon bd: Well I suppose her name was never taken off the table and was put there long before I joined the clan, but this specific attack was planned very recently.
Grimoire Editor: Is there any particular reason you have for attacking her? Or is it just for the hell of it-boredom etc?
blackdragon bd: Her history with Heorot goes way back, back to when I was in the SC and she screwed over Heorot during a war. She has screwed over many in this city including myself, but this is not for personal revenge or out of boredom. We had several names on the table and since she was nice enough to come out of shadows, she moved to the top. She has always been a possibility and I think that her zeroing will serve as a wonderful way to honor the memory of AQel and Pan, our former leaders that she stabbed in the back.
Grimoire Editor: To play the devils advocate, did she not pay to AQelDroma’s satisfaction in the last war that more is needed? Or is it because HoH would like her head on their table this go ‘round?
blackdragon bd: Some may have been satisfied and some may have not, but her lack of honor and betrayal is something that often times can not be simply erased with a zeroing. As you know I myself have been in several clan and I’ve seen several leaders and how they approach running a clan and how they act in times of war. My respect goes to those that show their true colors from the start and don’t need to resort to playing both sides until they see who is winning. But sure, her head will serve as a reminder that clans like Heorot do not forget those that have helped them and those that have turned on them.
Grimoire Editor: Is there an end statement you wish to make within the city with these attacks?
blackdragon bd: No, the old blackdragon was an arrogant loud mouth. I won’t deny that and as my former clan leader I’m sure you would agree. However, now I choose to make my feelings known on the battlefield. Many can talk a big game, but now it is time to see who can deliver.
Grimoire Editor: Is there a message behind this attack on What The that the city in general should see?
blackdragon bd: This fight is not between Heorot and the city. It is a matter of honor concerning only What The and The House of Heorot. What they see matters not, for the end result will be the same.
Grimoire Editor: If you had any words for What The and her clan right now, what would they be?
blackdragon bd: I have no words for What The or her clan. We will let our actions ring out louder than any words ever would. They are free to make their decisions as we are to make our own.
We at the Grimoire would like to thank blackdragon the interview. And we’ll be watching to see how this unfolds.
Until then…..
One wonders…if this is between HoH and WT, why are Clan X hitting as well?
UnicornDream Yggdrasil
Clan X no longer exists. -blackdragon
Yes, this will indeed be interesting. That is, if either side holds true to form. Curiosity wonders who these other ‘names on the table’ are, but I doubt any would get a straight answer on that question.
My question is-how long will this go before ‘allies’ and ‘others with vengeance in their hearts’ decide to dog pile in on this little show? Can JUST TiC and HoH have a war WITHOUT outside help? If one believes popular opinion-neither of them have managed this trick in the past.
So, can the rest of the city keep their noses out of this little frackus? We shall see-won’t we. And THEN-words like honor and such can be discussed. Not now, its way too early to be patting selves on the back for a sense of honor and duty. Deeds-not words here, please.
Vermathrax-rex Bellina’s husband veteran cosmic rocker sire of the Proud Beauties Artisan
“My question is-how long will this go before ‘allies’ and ‘others with vengeance in their hearts’ decide to dog pile in on this little show?” - Vermathrax-rex
The problem with is; (such as seen with Fire Hawk) even if one doesn’t call in ‘allies’ those who have ‘vengeance in their hearts’ still can come in. The problem is trying to find a way to know if it’s allies or rouges. Can only hope the communication between the two sides stays open so that if such things happen it’s known.
Though minus the Fire Hawk problem, seems that so far it is indeed a TiC and HoH battle.
~Chiru Shuukakshamaru-BiancoLuce
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