I have been waiting for awhile to use the song in the title and the time is finally here! The gaming session on Sunday marked the end of a few things and one hell of a big beginning. We are truly heading into new Vegas games with unknown frontiers. I don't want to spoil it too much, so I will just start the recap.
After his rather physical conversation with Davy (it ended with Neil sucker punching the Knight and laying him out flat), Neil headed over to the Luxor to visit with Skavis. He had a rather important piece of information he had to share. Once inside the hotel room, Neil tossed a piece of paper to Skavis and told him it was the location of the people who destroyed his nightclub. Skavis was pleased to get the information. Neil then told him that he would send him a bill for services rendered. Skavis was not pleased to hear that (poor Frederick, he really is the butt monkey of everyone in Vegas). Neil's next visit was to Uri's. Fortunately, he was able to get in the house. Unfortunately, Christine was there and pressed Neil for a date later in the week. Neil agreed and made his way to Uri's bedroom. Uri wasn't looking much better but he perked up a bit at Neil's news. Neil told him about his agreement with Davy and, as an added bonus, he showed Uri a photo of the unconscious Knight.
Finished talking with Angelica, Shade made her way to the Liberace Museum. There she left a note for Mason letting him know how the conversation went. Afterwards, knowing that Uri was in no condition to talk to him, Shade decided to visit Skavis herself. He seemed surprised to see her but invited her in. After the usual Skavis pleasantries, Shade let him know that she was there to talk to Arthur. When Arthur came into the room, Shade introduced herself and told him they needed to talk. She flat out asked him just what he had done to get the New Orleans group so pissed off at him. It took a bit of back and forth but he eventually spilled and told her about the attack on Sharee in Michelle's shop. He stressed that it had been an accident. He was looking to stay in Vegas and Skavis said that he really wanted that. Shade told them that they would have to see what the Board said. However it turned out, something would have to be decided- and soon.
That conversation done, Shade left and called Neil. When he answered, she asked if he would like to meet for lunch and a proposal. Neil said he would and they agreed to meet at Shade's tattoo parlor. They met up outside and, just as they started talking, Wyatt pulled up on his Harley. He seemed very rattled. Shade invited him in for a talk and a few shots of whiskey. Inside, Wyatt let Neil and Shade know that he had been having some disturbing dreams- even while he was wearing the hat that Brandon had fashioned for him. It seemed the Coyote was trying to get his attention. However, he couldn't make heads or tails what the images meant. He wanted Shade's help to figure it out. Shade asked if he had tried to talk to Coyote. Wyatt said that he didn't want to. To get some idea of the symbols, Shade told Wyatt to draw them out for her.
While he was doing that, Shade was able to talk with Neil. With summer over, it was about time for the new and upcoming poker players to get back into town. Shade asked if Neil would be interested in setting up a game with the two of them and a few others (with Neil's skill and contacts and all he taught Shade, they should have no problem winning the game). She explained that she needed quite a bit of money for her and Max's wedding and reception (and she very proudly showed off her ring). Of course the winnings would be split 50/50. Neil really liked that idea and said he was in (that made Shade very relieved).
Wyatt had finished his drawings. Luckily, Shade had a book of local Indian symbolic pictures. She got it and the three of them looked it over. One of the symbols drawn by Wyatt was of the Coyote god. Another was Ikto, the Spider god and the nemesis of Coyote. There was also a pyramid. After running a few theories between themselves, Shade once again told Wyatt to just talk to Coyote next time he invaded his dreams. Once again, Wyatt refused. Shade then told him that there was a way for her to talk to Coyote. She would have to spend the night with him and join him in his dreams. Wyatt wasn't sure about the idea but was willing to give it a shot. Business concluded, Neil left to start setting up the poker game. Wyatt went with him
Up until the evening, Brandon had been having a normal day. He went to work, tortured his minion (aka Skip) a little, and did the usual Brandon things. Once his work day was over, he went home, showered, changed, and headed out for a night of fun and games. He was looking to win some money and found what he wanted in a dive bar (actually, if it was disinfected it would qualify as a dive bar. It was really a shit-hole) just off the Strip. The bar was filled with dangerous and desperate looking people. Brandon paid his stake and settled down for some serious play. His innate ability to read people helped some but not enough. He couldn't read any of the players. However, they couldn't read him either. The game was tense and became even tenser. There was one player that Brandon could not take out. Having had enough, Brandon cast a spell and bored straight into the guy's mind (that was definitely a holy shit moment. Brandon had just broken the Third Law of Magic and if it was found out, he would lose his head. Really- no defense, no plea bargain, no mercy, no time out- his head would be a trophy for some Warden). The card shark started to shake and sweat. A few seconds later, his mind totally shattered and he ran from the table screaming. Brandon calmly pulled in his winnings. Just then, he felt a hand on his shoulder. Glancing back, Brandon saw that it was Wyatt (bet you thought it was going to be someone bad). They chatted as Brandon got ready to leave. Wyatt told him about his dreams and the visit with Neil and Shade. Brandon told him that he might be able to help as well. Just as he was getting up, Brandon felt another hand on his opposite shoulder. He looked up and saw an older oriental gentleman (you didn't think he would get away with it, did you). In a soft tone, the oriental suggested that a private conversation about that last hand was in order.
Heading into the back, Brandon assessed the man. He seemed to be magically inclined but Brandon couldn't tell just in what way. They got to the office and, after sitting down himself, the man told Brandon to get comfortable. Once seated, he introduced himself to Brandon as Shiro Kurosawa. He was the owner of the bar and had a proposition for Brandon. If Brandon agreed to work for him, he wouldn't tell the White Council about Brandon's breaking of the Third Law. Brandon tried to play it off but wasn't successful. Shiro was a sorcerer and knew what Brandon had done. Brandon asked just what sort of work he would be doing. Shiro told him that he would be a ringer for the bar. he would lose or win, as directed, at cards. It wouldn't be dangerous or too time consuming. Giving it a bit of thought, Brandon agreed. Shiro seemed pleased (I know that Jay and I have once or twice surprised Lana and the rest of the group but Jason is the only one to do it consistently. He will just be playing along all nice and good and then, from out of nowhere, he will do something so damn crazy we all go what the fuck. He somehow manages to pull it off though). Business concluded, they bid each other good night and Brandon went to collect Wyatt.
Unaware of Brandon's exciting evening, Neil was out and about doing Neil things. He made some headway on the game. All in all, his night went smoothly.
Shade's night wasn't as smooth. A call came from Uri. A Board meeting had been set for that night. After a quick call to Max letting him know that their dinner would have to be after the meeting, Shade went to the Luxor. Still looking pretty rough, Uri called the meeting to order. There were two issues to discuss. The first was the Skavis situation. A few ideas were thrown out and a trial by combat was agreed as the way to go. Uri said that he would speak to both factions and let each know that either they would agree to that or they all would have to leave. The second issue was a proposal that Vegas becomes a faction unto itself. Instead of being a part of outside groups, all would be working for Vegas. The debate raged with those who had large 'families' on the outside being unconvinced. Those who were only in Vegas (like the Fey) or not attached to any group on the outside were firmly on the yes side. Eventually, a consensus was reached. Vegas would be a freehold. A formal agreement would be drawn up at a later date and envoys would be sent out. The meeting over, Shade joined Max for dinner. They had a good time (and yes, she did tell him what was going on with the Board) and ended up back at her place.
After leaving his new job site, Brandon and Wyatt went to his shop. Once there, Brandon summoned the little coyote spirit. Brandon asked him why the Coyote was sending the dreams to Wyatt. The coyote answered that Wyatt was the Avatar and he needed the visions for his spirit quest. Something bad was coming and Wyatt needed to be ready. Brandon asked the coyote just what was coming but didn't get anything more (Brandon did call Shade about the symbols but she and Max were...busy. Yep, they finally consummated their relationship and there was no way in hell Shade was going to let that get interrupted).
The next day started off pretty quietly for the three. Neil sent Skavis his bill. It was for 30,000$. Skavis paid up but included an insult in the memo portion of the check. Shade spent her day researching the symbols that Wyatt had drawn. Not getting anymore from the book, she decided to talk to someone who might be able to help. Brandon and Wyatt had a trip to take. They wanted to map just how far Wyatt could go (being the Avatar, Wyatt was tied to Vegas. He could only go so far before he would be stopped). Brandon called Neil and borrowed a couple of dirt bikes. It took some time but they were able to get a good idea of Wyatt's range. Shade placed a call to Neil and asked if he would join her on an errand (when it comes to anything having to do with Wyatt, Shade wants either Neil or Brandon there. Right now she is the most visible of the three and she wants that buffer, so to speak, between her and Wyatt. No one would think it odd that she would be with Brandon and Neil).
While Brandon and Wyatt were mapping, Shade and Neil went to see Jeremy Running Mouth. He was at his usual place in the Luxor. After exchanging hello's and getting Jeremy to shut up for a few seconds, Shade asked him about his uncle. She wanted to know where to find him. Jeremy tried to talk her and Neil out of a visit. He flat out said his uncle was crazy. Finally realizing that they were serious, Jeremy told them where to go into the desert. After saying goodbye, Neil called Brandon and told him and Wyatt to meet them at Brandon's place. Before getting there, Neil and Shade stopped to pick up some bribes (a carton of cigarettes and a bottle of whiskey). Everyone met up at Brandon's place. Brandon wasn't too happy about having to visit crazy uncle Charlie again but agreed to go. the four of them set out. It wasn't too long before Wyatt couldn't go on. Seeing a fire in the near distance, Neil, Shade, and Brandon continued on. A few minute's walk led them to a fire and Charlie Proudwolf. He invited the three to sit down. They did and offered their gifts to him. He wasn't able to tell them much more then they already knew but they did get a few snippets of new information. Ikto and Coyote were both tricksters but, while Coyote usually had a lesson to teach, Ikto was more malicious. There was a rivalry between the two and Vegas was caught up in that. Whether it was fight between the two or something else he couldn't say but it had to do with Vegas and the warped ley lines. Not getting anything more, Brandon (with evident relief!), Neil, and Shade headed back to Wyatt and Vegas and then to their homes.
The next few weeks were busy for all three. Brandon did his usual routine of work and training Skip. He also had to meet with Kurosawa about his new job.
Neil spent his time getting the poker game set up. He was able to cherry pick the players and get what else he needed. As for his free time, he managed to win a shit load of money (actually, Jay took the windfall stunt). With his winnings, he was able to buy a rental car company and a few nondescript buildings. He then spent some time talking to some of the Baron's old crew. He had the idea to set up a secret society of sorts that would be on hand when trouble hit.
Shade had the gruesome task of being a witness to the duel between Michelle and Arthur Skavis. It took place in Were territory. The fight was long and brutal. Skavis was winning ( he did have the vampire advantage after all). However, at the crucial moment, he hesitated for some reason. Michelle cut him down. That being finished, the New Orleans group left Vegas. Along with working on the wedding and reception, Shade was able to complete the garden for the Pixies. They loved it and gave her a charm to summon them. A couple of weeks after, Philip showed up pissed as hell. He was not pleased that the Pixies had basically seceded from the Fey and set up their own realm and that Shade had helped them.
See what I mean! Vegas has just gone rogue and declared itself a freehold. It will be it's own faction and the Board members will no longer be representatives of their individual groups, both inside and outside of Vegas, but will represent Vegas as a separate entity. Just what that means is anybody's guess but big changes are coming. I can imagine that this news isn't going to be liked by too many people outside of Vegas. That doesn't even begin to cover what is going to happen within the city. For a group of people dead set on keeping the status quo, they sure have just implemented a massive change. Of course, it could just be the Board's way to try and keep change from happening but, with old alliances gone and new alliances needing to be formed, change will happen. Then there is the Wyatt thing. It seems that the Avatar might be needed soon and just how do we keep him a secret from everyone in Vegas? Will we be able to protect him from the powers that be?
Changes and new beginnings are not only happening at the top but for our lowly characters as well. Brandon has his new alliance thanks to his law breaking. Just how that plays out is anybody's guess. Is Jason going to take Brandon down the evil sorcerer route? Only time will tell with that but I can see Jason having Brandon take up the fight of abolishing the seven laws in favor of a more lenient attitude. Then there is Neil. I don't know much (because Lana wouldn't tell me!) but I do know that Jay has plans for tweaking Neil and they just might include a supernatural change. I don't want to spoil anything but I have to say that I really hope Jay goes with the Red Court idea. Also, Jay came up with the idea for all of us to take a new aspect- The New Guard. I absolutely love that idea. It is a way for us to work together, since we all seem to be heading towards the same goal/idea of stability not stagnation for Vegas. As for Shade, she has a decision to make concerning the Fey. Will she stay or quit? Then there is the wedding and reception. So far there has not been a gathering where something bad hasn't happened (she just wants to get it over with without a major problem happening, especially the wedding. Just get the I do's over with and any problems that happen at the reception will be handled). Just what will that bring, who knows.
Of course there are other possible situations. Just how will each faction react to the change? Will any of the groups try to make a play during the changeover? Will Locke show back up and just how will he react? What trouble will come from groups we haven't spent much time with? There are also bit players that could come into play. What would happen if the resident shock reporter Mitch Mitchell gets a whiff of all that's going on?
