Out of Town - Finale

**Out of Town** is the sixth and final episode in a *Vampire the Masquerade* mini-series on *Another Bad Side Quest.* The Montersang Coterie rush to the *Dragon's Blood* winery to meet the one they believe to be responsible for the disappearances within the city.

## Out of Town - Finale

### **Synopsis**

#### Pre-Show Shenanigans

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### Summary

As the four Kindred got into Aisling’s car Addo and Elvira both attempted to put in directions to the *Dragon’s Blood* vineyard. Addo tried to hand off his phone for directions, causing Aisling to panics slightly, and in the end gave directions more manually as Aisling took turns far too fast and sped down the open roads. Once they left the city they were greeted with more open spaces and pastures along dark roads and as they saw a fenced property the GPS told them their destination was up ahead. Aisling pulled into a long driveway that winded up between vast vineyards until they came to a large house lit up from the inside. Alexander and Aisling both activated *Heightened Senses* as they stepped out of the vehicle and while Aisling was overwhelmed by the scent of fresh grapes and dirt, Alexander heard a gentle cracking noise like wood on rock and let the others know. Aisling swapped to focus on sight just as Addo activated *Eyes of the Beast* and spotted something slowly walking closer to the group.

The group was met by a larger figure, with long limbs and a distended jaw, but as it moved closer were aware this figure was not the source of the noise Alexander was hearing. The figure asked what they wanted and Elvira said they came for a wine tasting. The figure said it was a little late for that and Elvira simply told him they were night owls. Addo added that some of their friends have had come by for a wine tasting, that they were only hoping to come get them and make sure they are okay and the figure plainly told him no. Aisling stepped forward to apologize, introducing herself as Aisling O’Malley, and that she wanted to say thank you for the gift, but when the figure only shrugged her off noted he wasn’t much of a talker. The man told them he had work to get back to but when Alexander tried once more to convince him just continued to deny them and Elvira turned to the others and suggested they listen. Alexander swapped his *Heightened Senses* from sound to scent, specifically focusing on the man, and found he smelled of something like rotten meat.

Aisling activated *Awe*, suggested the man tell his boss that they were there and that he would make an exception for them and the man told her not to do that trick and that the boss was already there. The man then asked his boss to stop “pittering around” and a voice, coming from seemingly all around, told Aisling she did a nifty trick and was interested to see what she would do before he invited them inside, as he had been preparing a feast, and always enjoyed company on his hunts. Aisling said it was one trick of many, that she was at a disadvantage before asking who they were. The voice replied for them to come inside and meet him face to face and told the figure to open the door for them before he dismissed him to his work elsewhere. Aisling turned to the others, asked what they should do and Elvira suggested they have “dinner with a dragon”, hopeful at the prospect of the man having a taste for the French. As the four headed inside Alexander checked his phone for any reply from Louis and found he texted his stomach wasn’t feeling well and couldn’t pick up at the time and to call him back. Addo took a quicker pace to step in front of Aisling before they entered the house.

The voice greeted them, offering blood infused wine as he assumed that was the only reason they would be here at this time of night and noted Alexander was the only one of the group he was not fully aware of. A figure soon stepped out of the shadows, with his “perfect” face in view, features that have been stretched and smoothed so perfectly that some features had disappeared, with no eyes or nose, but four slits where they should be, no mouth, ear like structures stretched back and pointed along the sides of the skull, wearing a cloak that hid most all of his shape, except his shoulders, and just below his shoulder was a similar shape to shoulder blades though it was too obscure to understand what it might be. The man introduced himself as Auguste, offered them to take a seat for business or, as he was headed off to do something before they arrived, they could follow him to the stables and he would show them around. Addo said they were alright and Auguste, seemingly unbothered, said they look famished and that he wished nothing, but peace for his fellow Kindred. As Addo and Auguste talked Aisling looked about her surroundings and saw someone familiar inside his home, Scott. Aisling interrupted the conversation to say it appeared he had something of hers, describing him as sweet, cute a little egotistical and demanded him back. Auguste called over one of his ghouls, one who looked mostly human other than that his limbs were stretched out and long which forced him to lumber and walk on all fours, had Aisling show a picture of Scott and sent off the ghoul to fetch the boy.

The ghoul went into a side room, reached in, lifted a human figure over his head, returned to stand him in front of Aisling and saw it was Scott, though he looked as though he was on drugs as he swayed in place. As Auguste went up behind Scott and places her hands on Scott’s sides Auguste stood close to them, and though his hands rested at his side, a third hand also curled over the human’s shoulder. Addo, not liking the situation at all, moved behind Aisling while she ignored everyone completely to check over Scott to assure he was okay, taking his chin in her hand, and turned him this way and that as she checked for bite marks. Scott muttered and smiles, said of course he was okay and that he felt great and Aisling squeezed her grip on his chin, told him this is why he *always* texts back and that he was *never* too busy for her. Aisling then told Scott to go sit in her car outside, gave him a kiss, and attempted to shove him behind her, but Scott resisted. Auguste asked him if that was any way to treat a guest before telling him to go sit in the car as she asked. Once Scott was gone Aisling demanded to know he had done to her pet and the Tzimisce noted he was beginning to worry she was emotionally attached to the human and found it amusing, but said she could keep Scott and his state would ware off after a few days. As they went back and forth Alexander activated *Heightened Senses,* tried to recall the dark musk and pine scent he got from Grover’s house, realized the scent came from the house directly if he went inside and focused he might be able to smell Grover himself in the house. Alexander then tried to smell Olivia's scent and noted she was there as well.

Scott called from the car to ask if he could play music and Aisling said he could while she maintained whatever level of eye contact she could with a person without proper eyes. She then told him she thought he would be old enough to know better than to touch what was precious to another Kindred and Auguste said he was old enough to have acquired a lot of power, and with that bigger goals, though that did mean there has been some oversight and a few mistakes had clearly been made. He then asked the others what they had come looking for, as he knew they would not be here at this hour if they did not have reason to. Elvira went first, explained how Aisling was there for Scott, that she was also missing someone and that the main problem was that so many people had been going missing recently that people were taking notice. Elvira went on to say while the relationship she had with the person she was looking for was nothing like Aisling’s, this one did make her life easier, just as Scott interrupted to ask if Aisling had any snacks, which Aisling ignored with a smile. Auguste chuckles lightly before asking if who Elvira was seeking was mortal and Elvira said yes. He then asked if anyone else was looking for a mortal and Alexander and Addo added to the list. Auguste told them to speak with his ghoul, who looked far too excited to complete the task, and that they could take them from there.

As they did Elvira tried to politely ask if the Tzimisce intended to continue to collect people from the nearby city, noting that in his age he would know what happened when people started getting suspicious and scared. Auguste, seemingly offended by this, reminded them that they were not friends, that they brought nothing to gift to him as their clear elder and denied his offer of being brought along on his hunt. Elvira tried to apologize, citing that it was often business before pleasure and did not intend to refuse his offer and Auguste told her his hunger was his business and business and pleasure had long since become the same thing for him. Elvira noted that at least her hunger was not drawing the attention of the humans and Auguste thanked her for telling him this and that he would adjust his plan accordingly, but believed he had enough man power now to move onto the next phase of his plans. As they spoke, Addo texted the Baron for a photo of the receptionist and simultaneously got a text from Adrianna, confirming that he did not have to look for her. Aisling said she would tend to Scott while they worked on collecting the other humans they came for, but Auguste told her no, called out to Scott to be silent, causing Scott to go quiet in the car outside. Aisling asked again what Auguste had done to Scott and Auguste only told her to come to his stables to see the extent of his power and that she might learn something as well. Auguste went on to say that her name was a noble one in Ireland and carried weight and Aisling replied that while it did have a nice ring to it, O’Malley wasn’t her last name. Auguste explained he referred to *Aisling* and offered once more to go to the stables. Aisling looked to the others and when Elvira said it was rude to decline an offer from their elders Alexander agreed and Addo appearing to be willing to follow along.

Auguste led them out of the house the group while the long limbed ghoul went about the house, collecting the people they were looking for and headed them out onto the property. Alexander texted Louis while they walked to come to the vineyard with a car and got a response that he was already on his way. As they walked, the group noticed Auguste seemed to have an orderly way of doing things, specifically with his ghouls, that he has two types, the long limbed and lanky ones and those that were built tall and barrel chested. They entered the stables and were assaulted with the scent of horse manure and wet hay, especially Alexander who still had *Heightened Senses* activated lost his sense of his smell as he coughed and proceeded to deactivate it. Addo, having felt sick since coming to the old plantation, was also overwhelmed by the sight and smell of the stables with the last straw and leaned over to vomit up the little contents of his stomach. Auguste looked between them all and noted he has since grown past such problems and showed off his ability to open and close his nostrils at will as they headed deeper inside. Elvira commented that ability seemed useful and when Auguste stepped in closer to ask how useful she considered it stammered and said functionally. Elvira also pointed out his attire, specifically that the breastplate was of French origin and Auguste explained that as Tzimisce he strived for perfection, that he could make her perfect and it was all he wished to offer his fellow Kindred.

Auguste then asked if any of them had ridden horses before and Elvira and Aisling said they had. Elvira pointed out that horses didn't tend to like their kind and Auguste reassured her that these horses would, especially if he liked them. Auguste pulled out several horses, one black and several white and noted he hadn’t yet perfected the ears, but given time would get there. Addo, Aisling and Elvira all inspected the horses at that, concerned by what he meant, but found nothing other than what appeared to be a horse, even if the skin was a bit smoother than what they would expect. Aisling reached out to pet the horse and found while it accepted the touch that it was cold. Aisling questioningly noted they were not alive and Auguste replied they were as alive as the ghoul who brought her boy. Auguste then said he enjoyed talking business while playing a bit of sport, mounted his black horse and headed out of the stables. Aisling and Addo hopped on with ease to a white horse each, with Elvira following suit with a bit of a struggle, followed by Alexander who noted he had never ridden a horse before and hopped up with supernatural agility.

The four rid out to meet Auguste who asked once more, warning it was the final time, why they were here. Aisling told him that he took something of great importance to her and she came only to retrieve it. Auguste accepted that and asked why the others were here before he called out for a ghoul to “release four”. The sounds of the gates opening were heard, followed by confused voices, as Alexander asked what was released and when Auguste only said he would find out if he was hungry and Aisling noted she thought she read a book like that. Addo activated *Eyes of the Beast,* looked towards the sounds and with ease spotted four naked humans stumbling through the dark. As he saw them the others began to spot them as well and at the sight the Beast growled within them, excited at the thought of the hunt, just a little hungrier than before. Elvira, immediately able to tell two of the four humans were of French descent, told Auguste he had impeccable taste, though she seemed less delighted when revealed he was French himself. Without another word, Elvira urged her horse forward and began to follow after one of the humans she smelt before. Addo had a momentary thought to try and stop Elvira, unimpressed by the thought of human blood himself, but found she had already ridden away before he could. Auguste called her the sensible one of the group and rode after her while the three remained. Addo stated he wouldn't play the old man’s games and Aisling wondered if they had any another options. Alexander offered that Louis would be here soon and could hopefully get there people out and Addo just sighed and activated *Feral Weapons* to claws extend his claws.

Further away, Elvira sped up to a trot and used her horse to split one of the humans off to the right to isolate them from the others. Elvira dismounted when she got closer, continued to pursue the person on foot and closed in with speed even as the man tried to sprint. Midway Elvira called out that she was a nurse and in the moment he hesitated tackled him, brought him down to the ground, straddled over top of him, said it was alright and she was there to help. The man’s hyperventilating begins to ease as she went on to say she was from the hospital and that she heard there were people out in the area who needed help. The man seemed to calm further, more so as Elvira activated *Awe,* started to inspect him and check him for wounds and found a decent sized gash in his stomach. Elvira leaned down to bite into the wound and drink from it, then licked the wound to seal as the man fell limp in the grass, high on blood loss and Kindred presence. Auguste, having caught up quickly to her hunt and having watched, congratulated her from his horse and noted she did not kill him. Elvira stood up and remounted her nearby horse as she explained she was a nurse and did not like to kill, but noted that she did smell another like him and headed off to find that one.

Back with the trio, Alexander received a text from Louis who said he was two minutes out, while Addo looked to the horse he was riding and started thinking about sating his hunger by drinking from it. Aisling asked if he really planned to eat a horse right now and Addo insisted he wasn’t going to eat it, just drink from it. Addo leaned down to bite and drink from the horse, and his Beast growled in satisfaction as he did, and though it tasted horrible to Addo, who had spent his unlife only eating animals, was unable to pull away. When he finally pulled away he instantly leaned over, vomited the blood back up and when Alexander asked what was wrong and Addo told them the horses were people. Alexander took a closer look at the horses they were riding, as they connected the dots of what Auguste said, and the oddly smooth skin, and Alexander, though not familiar with horses, knew he had never seen a horse with white eyes either.

Elvira continued to track down the second person of French descent and found a woman who had likely tripped and was now leaning up against the base of a tree. As Elvira came around, with *Awe* still activated, Elvira dropped down from her horse, told the woman not to be afraid and that she was a nurse. After convincing the woman to let her look where she was hurt, she saw her twisted ankle was already swelling. Elvira sunk her teeth into her ankle, and thinking she could manage it, attempted to reduce her hunger while letting the woman live, but the Beast rumbled inside her and before she knew it the woman was still and lifeless on the ground before her. August, having followed once again, asked if she didn’t mean to do that and Elvira simply told him it wasn’t the first time it had happened, that it got harder to not kill as they age and admitted in the next century she would likely have to leave civilized society to avoid exposing herself. Auguste said she wouldn't as he came down from his horse and shrunk himself a few inches to be at eye level with her.

The other three, still waiting back by the stables, saw headlights in the driveway. Aisling wondered who that might be at this hour and when Alexander reminded her it was hopefully Louis, who he said was coming to pick up the people they came to get, Addo silently got off of his horse and started walking that way. Back in the fields, Auguste explained Elvira would not have to leave or run from the mortals out of fear, citing that the wolf did not hide from the sheep. Auguste noted they incredible beings as any life, which is why he kept them around as they provide him with sport and assistance around his land and in his house and that all the humans needed was a little help from Kindred to become perfect. Auguste noted that Elvira liked to help the humans, but she would meet no one in his age that agreed with her and activated *Awe* as he did so and, while the power almost overwhelmed Elvira’s mind, managed to see past it and knew what he was trying.

The rest of the group continued to head closer to the driveway where the lights are, abandoning the horses in the field, and saw the vehicle, a black carrier van, start to park, which Alexander recognized as one that Louis owned. One of the Auguste’s large ghouls walked up to the driver’s side window, knocked on it, and as it rolled down a deafening crack was heard, along with a flash of white light, as the ghoul dropped. The back door of the van immediately burst open and five figures poured out and opened fire.

**And that is where we leave Episode 6 and this Season!**

1. ↑ Much as how Kindred can be unearthly beautiful to a human, the clan Tzimisce is that of utmost beauty to Kindred.