Nov 06 108 PA - Nuns the word

From Chronicles

Whatever the hour the knights hospital tends to be a busy place. This hour is no different. Various levels of people visit and work in the halls, poor dregs dwellers, injured and or sick. Doctors who are alos mostly poor, helping them. New to the atmosphere the hope for humanity group has brought a very proactive air with it. Uplifting and assisting doctors. Providing organization and logistics solutions. And just doing what they can to treat the illness, and the source.

Having learned from his last encounter with a hierarchical organization, and how wildly different things have become, Gabriel attempts to find the chase and cut to it, flagging down a nurse, doctor, orderly, janitor or whoever is closest. "Excuse me. Who's in charge here, and where might I find him? Or her?" He's not loaded for combat by any means; no reason to try to get into someone's office looking ready to kill them. Still, this being the dregs, he has some pistols and bag.

"Um Dr. Joachim isnt available right now." The attendant gabriel got hold of answers with a distracted look. He was in the middle of retrieving an xray after all. "Can I direct you to somewhere or someone else? What is it you need?"

Gabriel notes the name and smiles. "Sure, sure. I'm interested in the big picture, seeing what you guys are all about, maybe see if there isn't a ay for me to help out. Dr. JOachim is in charge of the entire movement?" He waves a hand around the hospital and quickly adds, "But I'm afraid that I don't do medicine."

"Movement?" The attendant asks, confused as one part of Gabriel's interest does not seem to match the other. "Well um the knights hospital is completely neutral territory devoted to treating and educating those who live in the dregs. For over a decade it has stood as such."

Gabriel makes himself comfortable speaking to the attendant. "I'd hope to speak with the leaders of 'Hope for Humanity.' I was told to come here.. is this not the right place? Dr. Joachim only looks after the hospital?"

Recognition shows on the attendants face and he looks a little embarassed to not have clued in. "Oh, that movement. They help out here as volunteers but dont really have a seperate office. Stacy would be the person to talk to. I think she's down stairs organizing a recycling drive."

"Oh, thank you very much. Sorry to take up your time," Gabriel says with a smile. Even his adorable twang comes out as he hunts for the stairs and the recycling drive.

Stairs are clearly marked and thus easily found. The recycling drive is clearly not yet organized and thus easily spotted as the half dozen volunteers work to wrangle the three dozen dregs kids into a cooperative force of cleaning the neighborhood for money.

Descending the stairs, Gabriel comes out into the group and offers some fatherly help of his own, though staying quiet and at a respectful distance, not wanting to make a bad impression by intruding into someone else's party. However, when he can find an ear, "Pardon me, can you point me to Stacy?"

A nod is given and a point follows to what looks to be a nun from the days Gabriel is familiar with. The habit diverts from traditional coloring to take up white silks for the most part with gold bordering and a large gold cross in the center. In her hand a rosary is also present as Stacy works to organize the group, and looks to be doing and excellent job. Her looks are average, as is her demeanor. But her dress and etiquette are quite professional to boost both.

Gabriel thanks the woman and makes his way slowly around the group of children and adults toward Stacy. When within polite speaking distance, he offers in a questioning tone, "Ego sum laetus condeco vos? My name is Gabriel, do you have any time to speak with me, or should I come back when you aren't trying to herd children." He chuckles lightly. "I know how that can be." Yeah, he does.

The woman shows no recognition to the odd phrase from a very long dead tongue. But when the next phrase turns to english her expression brightens with understanding. She doesnt divert from her task at hand to answer though. SHe contnues directing young teens to volunteers to make the appropriate groups. Forcing gabriel to follow her if he wants to hear her reply. "Are you worth making time to speak with Gabriel?" She asks simply, showing that her time is valued.

"I am," Gabriel says softly but with confidence. He follows at a polite distance. He adds softly, "I hope that there are others who would think the same. You're Stacy, the leader of the Hope for Humanity movement?"

"I am." Stacy confirms and passes off her task to another volunteer so she may speak to Gabriel. She leads off to the side so they may talk outisde the clamour of the many children. "Alright Gabriel, go for it."

A soft smile crosses Gabriel's lips at the unusual change in language, or at least what he thinks is one. As he tries to analyze her body langauge from before, and until now, he does ask his questions. "The Ivory Lady, that den of iniquity. It seemed fairly obvious to me many weeks ago that there was vampiric activity there. But you have more specific grievances against them." He gently ticks off a few fingers. "Drug dealing, human trafficking and money laundering among them. Is there hard evidence for this that could be shown to the people?"

"Is their statement of admittance not enough? They are not exactly hiding their nature, which makes their cleansing all the more difficult. But yes there is proof to be shown if required." Stacy confirms. Her body language is very mute at the moment. She stands with good posture and maintains eye contact as she converses. But otherwise she reacts minimally to Gabriels words and offers no emphasis to her own.

Gabriel listens, nodding on the more important points. "I fought alongside Strala in the war some months ago. Many good people died, and it worries me that good people may once more be going down this road. If I may ask, do you have a plan to deal with the situation? Obviously simple boycotts won't solve the problem."

Stacy shakes her head. "No, I'm afraid a boycott to rouse sympathetic ears are all we can afford. We are not a force to combat such evil. And even with we where, it would do no good to route that place with such strong support. A boycott is all we can manage, draw attnetion to the infection and it is more likely to be treated. So we will do what we can to increase the attention until it is." She explains calmly. She seems very much at peace with her current impotence, which speaks well of her resolve.

"Mmm. It's wise to know when not to act," Gabriel agrees. "But in the end, you would like to see it gone. The evil activities, that is? I would like to see it gone, certainly." He shifts his weight slightly. "Is Marcel part of any of this, or is he still looking after the refugees? I'm afraid that when I fought there seemed to be somewhat of a blurry line."

"Marcel's responsibilities lie solely with the refugees. I believe your confusion lies in the fact that assisting them was our last project. Now that they have stabilized we have moved on, to help other groups of humanity find success in this dark part of the world." Stacy explains in reply before giving a nod. "Yes, we would see them and their inhumane practices gone from this region for good."

Gabriel looks at her for a time and asks, "I've been wondering for a while, ever since I found out about what it is that they're doing, if perhaps some of the gangs aren't involved, like before. Perhaps the Family providing whatever rewards the vampires are giving their human cattle? Have you heard of anything like this, or is my wild speculation only that?"

"The family is another entity now, though the two still have a strained relationship." Stacy answers calmly. "The ivory lady, was under different management before, and directly controlled by the family. But now Donna has taken over, and made it more independant. Not completely though. The human trafficing mentioned, happens between them. Most if not all of the human staff working their have been bought from the Family."

"Oooh," Gabriel says. "So there does remain a lie. The Family is moving people to the Ivory Lady to be.. milked? Drained? How does that fit in with their laissez-faire attitude of a free market economy where they claim that humans are happy with it? Honestly, I didn't know how the trafficking came into play."

"If humans arent stopping it, they must not mind it right? The fact of the matter is the regular clientel of the lady are now completely invested in supporting it. They cant stop even if they want to. And the irregulars are oblivious to the facts or what they can do about them." Stacy says before she starts walking down the hall. She makes a small wave to Gabriel. "Come, I will show you what happens to those in their employ."

Gabriel follows dutifully, though uttering only two quick questions. "Is it the psi-cola? Or the reverse-intravenous drips?"

"Both." Stacy states quickly, and it isnt long before she is showing Gabriel into a patient room. "Becky, I have someone I would like to show the handiwork of the lady." She says to a girl inside before steeping aside to let gabriel come forward. Becky as it turns out was Gabriel's waitress at the lady during his visit.

"Oh. Hello, miss," the older gentleman says to ex-waitress. "I'm glad to see that you've found safety." Gabriel then straightens and looks around, wondering what that psi-cola does. Thank goodness a friend had warned him away from the stuff many months ago before the Ivory Lady issue ever became an issue.

"Hello." Becky replies shyly and gives Stacy an unsure look in search of guidance. "Becky, please show him your tap." Stacy asks calmly and waits with a blank expression as the former waitress lifts her shirt to reveal her navel. Or where her navel would be if the wasnt a stainless steel tap coming out of it.

Gabriel stares at it for a while. That's one hell of a bellybutton piercing. But he speaks to Becky in a genuinely concerned voice. "You.. they did this to you. It was not your choice? I have been told that people are voluntarily giving blood in return for some kind of favor but apparently... this is not the case. Or not always the case?"

Becky nods her head very slowly to confirm Gabriel's concens. "Yes, they inserted this tap after they bought out my debt from the family. From there I was told I could work off my debt at the lady, but if a vampire wished to buy me they may. At which point my survival was up to the vampire. I'm grateful your 'friend' spared me. But it is curious she did not inform you of the details." Becky explains. Whith this Stacy shows noticeable expression in questioning Gabriel. "Friend?"

"She didn't inform me of precise details," Gabriel says to Becky. He then turns to Stacy. "Yes, a friend. An unusual one, and a good soldier in this war. She hates the undead more than your entire organization. She hates them.. because they made her one. My friend has been helping me get information that I hope will ultimately be used against the... coven.. of vampires, if that is an acceptable term." He then gets ready to be shown the door by people who might not approve of such an association that there's no point in him denying.

Stacy shakes her head with clear disapproval. Though Becky still looks grateful for Bella's actions. "Maybe. But if she is helping you get information, why did she with hold something so crucial?" Stacy asks in a very direct tone.

"Perhaps I didn't ask the right question? I knew that humans were being tapped, I just didn't know exactly how. Now I do. Maybe she simply didn't think that the exact details were important."

Gabriel shrugs. "I cannot speak for another. It is true though, that if there may be others like her, they might side with people they hate, if only so that they themselves do not need to kill. It's a sad thing. However, I have no intention of telling her anything that might sway her down that road. How many are there like you, Becky? Or... how many have there been?"

"Maybe two dozen so far?" Becky says but doesnt look very sure. "They go through a girl every week or so." She adds, sounding more sure about that. To this Stacy just nods solemnly. "A girl every week, and as far as I know, Becky is the only one to survive. A testament that we must get the people of this city to listen and correct this immediately."

Clearly disturbed, Gabriel is even off track enough to utter quietly, "I had girls to take care of, once upon a time." His eyes are very much in agreement with the women, even though in his mind, he knows better than to take everything on blind faith. "What about the ones you mentioned on the psi-cola? How are they used?"

Stacy raises a brow a Gabriel, clearly finding this an odd question. "They pay exorbitant prices by the bottle, and drink at least a dozen bottles a night. How do you think they are used?"

"I only ask because I'm unfamiliar with how psi-cola effects the mind. It's new to me," Gabriel admits. "They could be bled without knowing it, they could be turned into one-night prostitues of the regular kind, waking up and going to work but a week later discovering a rash they don't remember getting. Maybe they can be turned into theives and murders I don't know, which is why I asked. All I know is that they *really* push the stuff."

Stacy shake her head at Gabriel to stall his delusion. "It doesnt effect the mind negatively. It enhances it. And its extremely addictive. If a normal person drinks enough of it, not only do they become addicted. They could gain mental powers. But is a psychic drinks it, it is much more effective. Which is all the better for the Lady, having a number of mentally powerfull people who will do anything for another bottle."

"So it's a fix. It gets you high, and you want more. So they pay more?" Gabriel pauses. "The vampires running the place must want more than commerce though, don't they? Maybe they use these mentally powerful people to control others so that they don't have to do it themselves and are thus technically clean of crime? Forgive me if I'm still off base."

"More like controlling more people. There's no attempt to be clean of crime there. Or anywhere in the Dregs for that matter." Stacy clarifies with a shake of her head. "And those that help them bring in others to support them as well. When someone can no longer afford the process they are fed upon, or if useful, turned."

"Mmm. Powerful psychic runs out of cash, gets turned into a vampire who understands the system?" Gabriel allows a low whistle. "That's bad." He stops in thought for a few moments, then looks at both Stacy and Becky. "What can you tell me about Donna? She seems to be the head of the operation, or at least the front-man. Front-woman. I'm sure that you both have different information about her. Oh, and.. Becky. The draining. Does it always occur in the curtained booths, or is there a special place for it out of sight where the masses of vampires drink?"

"In the booths. And no masses, only individuals. I dont think Donna has more than a dozen vampires under her. Nor does she seemed inclined to increase their number indiscriminately. She picks only the best to be turned." Becky answers to Gabriel and Stacy nods. "We are unsure of Donna's capabilities and history. We assume she is a master vampire. We know nothing else to add to that."

Gabriel's eyes go wide. He may be new to the world, but 'master vampire' doesn't sound good. "I understand that you don't have the forces to do anything right now, but is there a strategy for building up to go after them? Logistics? Planning? It's obviously something that can't be allowed to continue.. but with so many innocents involved, it would have to be done very carefully. You need more information, obviously, if nothing else."

"Plans are for those who heed our cries and act on our concerns to form. Our task is to get the word out. So yes, more information is in great demand. If we can illuminate this as a very real threat action will be taken. We must do so before it is too late." Stacy confirms, her expression holding much resolve to this task.

The old soldier crosses his arms lightly and gazes at the floor for a moment before looking up at the two women - mostly Stacy, but enough to include Becky as well. "You know.. there are those out there who worry that your organization is overreaching its stated goals. Being more than hope for humanity, using the term humanity as a literalism rathern than a metaphor. There could be vampires, psi-cola induced junkies or even jumpy D-Bees out to start a war. Maybe to make you look bad, maybe because they simply don't believe you after the violence in the 'Dregs."

Stacy's gaze on gabriel holds steady, waiting. "Your point? And what do you mean by after? Violence in the dregs is a constant. It varies only in intensity and faction."

"My point is only that boycotts and blockades, while very effective, can cast people in an unwanted and false negative light. That's all," Gabriel says, holding his hands out slightly. He changes to more important subjects. "If Donna is a... master vampire... is she holding the group together? If she could - in theory - be killed, would that be a faster way to stop the problem? Perhaps the others not being so bound and rational?"

"Its a boycott. Not a blockade. And I dont see any negativel ight from it at this point." Stacy notes succingtly to Gabriel before giving a confriming nod. "Yes, Donna is the organizer for everything. Without her the family will very liekly move back in a return the lady to its former state of operation. Not ideal, but certainly better than the current state."

"Do you have any contacts within the Family, or perhaps within the psychic group that works at the club?" Gabriel may have a point, but it might also be just a small one.

Stacy shakes her head. "No. We don't associate with those in the employ of the underworld."

Gabriel seems to think for a moment. Really think. Then, "I'd like to help. I can't say that I'm absolutely, completely on board yet, but I respect what you're doing. I'm not a medic. I don't build things. But I do gather things.. of all kinds. If there's anything that I can do, please tell me. If there's anyone to speak with who might make a good... team... let me know. I need information about master vampires." Yes, he's really quite earnest at the moment.

Stacy shrugs, and for the first time looks uncertain. She looks uncertain of Gabriel. "I don't know Gabriel. You sound sincere. Yet from what I've heard today you already know most of what we do. You also know people better connected than we are. Some of those people are questionable but that is your choice to trust them. We really dont know where to point you with one exception. There is a building in the north east dregs with odd lights at the door that would deter a vampire. Maybe the owner of that building can help you."

Nodding along as she speaks, Gabriel grows a smile. "Thank you, Stacy. Yes, perhaps I do know more about... other things... than you do. If I can help, I will try. If I can find out more, I will pass it along." He chuckles. "I'll not take up more of your time except to hope beyond hope - do you know who owns the building?"

Stacy shakes her head. "No I do not. Though people who have seen her describe her as a very tall woman who dresses in leather. She looks very stong, a capable hunter."

Gabriel's smile turns into a frown. "Oh. Wonderful." Then he artificially perks up. "Thank you for your time, I know you have a huge organization to run. Little kids to organize for a recycling drive. We did things like that, but it was metal drives. Anyway." He waves it off and starts to reach for Becky, but thinks better of it and gives the essentially raped woman her space. "Good luck to you, Becky. I'm sure you'll stay safe here. Both of you... if I don't die, I'll come back."

Stacy raises a brow, clearly missing what shec said wrong as she shows Gabriel out. "You know of this person?" She asks, looking for explanation.

"Unless there are two very tall women who dress in leather and might frequent a building in the deep 'Dregs with vampire wards? Yes, I think I know her. No, let me clarify. I know who she *is*. I don't know *her* as far as her mind works." If he has any further opinion, Gabriel keeps it to himself.

"Oh." Stacy says in reply, managing some understanding. "Maybe you should then." She then suggests before Leaving Gabriel to return to her task of making the recycling drive a success.

Gabriel watches the organization's leader go, offers some more of what he hopes are kind words to Becky, and finds his way out, making careful steps to get back to civilization from the 'Dregs.