Night at the Museum (Open)

[Gummy]

Dracula had a chance to go an visit the American Museum of Natural History on a night time open evening. The film Night At the Museum had sparked opportunities like this and he was going to enjoy himself. Some of the new discoveries were on show and he was particularly interested in the 'Invisible Worlds' which was showing the night sky without the atmosphere followed by the deep ocean and microscopic sea creatures found at those depths.

He was just enjoying the 'Pacific People' room whilst waiting for the space show to begin. He had read about the different cultures but actually being able to stand in a museum was a nice change. Some of the reports he had heard were first hand accounts others were hearsay.

He was trying to be low key but attending the night with a black suit almost made him stand out a little more. It didn't bother him as he knew security were not a problem. He had paid for a ticket so was here legitamately. The museum was dimly lit and each person had been given a torch along with a badge which said "I slept with Dinosaurs".- Aimed at the kids but it also showed you were a paid visitor, so of course his was pinned to his lapel.

[John Kilroy]

Chris Allgood was enjoying himself at the Museum of natural history. He had always enjoyed these sorts of places. in a way it helped strengthened his faith, it was always fascinating to see what all the Lord God Almighty had a hand in. Unlike many the discovery of aliens and mythical creatures did not shake his faith, if anything it just made God seem that much more grand and powerful beyond human compression.

Nothing made him stand out save for his Ichthys pendant. That was sure to turn some heads, especially among any fellow vampires he came across. It was common knowledge or at least commonly believed that a vampire could not touch or gaze upon a holy symbol of a religion that existed before their turn, hence why so many Vampires who were Christians before turning believed that God had abandoned them. Yet, here was a vampire who was able to wear perhaps one of the oldest and most sacred symbols of the Christian faith without any sort of pain or repulse. Chirs always hoped that would get vampires and vampire-adjacent people to ask questions. If questions were asked that meant he had the opportunity to Evangelize.

he did not expect however to see Dracula of all people. Chris never met the man personally, but the man's legend and infamy were well known. He was fearful of a potential fight, but he was also intrigued. He had always wanted to meet the man not to test his power but to have a nice philosophical discussion. One Vampire of the Christian faith to another.

"I hope you come here in peace," Chris said. "I only come to relax, and I wish no trouble."

[Gummy]

Vlad looked sideways at Chris as he spoke and moved his hands behind his back. The pendent the man wore was irritating but he could tollerate it. As long as it wasn't thrust in his face all would be good and calm.

"Good evening."

He said with a strong Eastern European accent. He paused while he finished reading a plaque.

"I am here for the same purpose. It is not every night the museums are open to visitors. There will be no trouble from me. Tonight... is a night off."

He turned more towards Chris looking at him from top to toe then smiled.

"I am just glad that it means we get to meet. There is a showing of space in the 'invisible worlds'. A showing of space through telescopes far more powerful than my own which has caught my interest. Anything you wish to see?"

It was a partial invitation for Chris to follow and also a partial invitation to see if he was open to talking.

[John Kilroy]

Allgood smile. "I gladly extend the same peace. I have to come here after hours mainly because of the sun. It'd be nice to have some company with another one of my kind for a change"

he smiled when Dracula asked him what his favorite exhibit was, incidentally, exposing his fangs. It wasn't purposeful he just had a naturally toothy (or rather fangy grin)

"Oh  nothing in particular I like a little bit of everything. the blue whale and the planetarium are among my favorites. I've always had an interest in space, even before I turned. It's funny really, Once mankind accepted a simple truth, we were not alone in the universe. Somewhere between the French Revolution and the First World War, we forgot that. We're rediscovering it again though. For all it's troubles I think it is a better sign than not."

he continued to walk alongside Dracula simply admiring the exhibits.   

"I will admit it is a pleasure to meet you in person. My name is Allgood Christopher Allgood, though I was born Kristopher Algot White-Wolf."

[Gummy]

Dracula listened and offered a hand to Allgood.

"A pleasure to meet you. If I say my name people here will possibly have heart attacks."

He laughed.

"You may call me Vlad while here. Outside, my title will suffice, unless things change. Things with our kind are changing which is both good and ill."

He looked back to the exhibit in a thoughtful manner. Things were troubling him and some rumours were hard to fathom if they were true or false.

"Ahhh.... here is me thinking about events which are moving even now but tonight should be a relaxing one. Time to let all of the events outside disappear. For at least an hour or two."

A frown had formed on his forehead and for a split second he was looking very old and very tired. Letting out a long breath seemed to ease his worries. Maybe Allgood could help but it was not his place to suggest it especially if Allgood didn't know what the youth and thinner bloods were up to.

[John Kilroy]

Allgood smile. In spite of his demeanor, he was not young or naive even by vampire standards. He was in fact older than Dracula was by several centuries. As a human, he lived as a Viking and then a holy Christian warrior. He had seen civilizations rise and fall, and the restlessness of many young vampires did not escape his notice. Far from it. It was something he preached time and again against on the pulpit. There were forces of evil out encouraging vampires to sell their souls... oftentimes by convincing them they don't have one in the first place, in exchange for dark and hedonistic pleasures. In reality, these deceived vampires were little more than pawns in a bid for power sought by vampires of evil ambition. Of course in Allgood's mind, the vampires seeking power over the world were themselves pawns of Satan, Lucifer, Mephisto, whatever one wished to call The Devil for he went by many names. 

"You've seen it too I see. If I had to guess, You and I have very different visions for the fate of our kind, but I think we both share a similar fear. albeit for different reasons  What is happening can mean the doom of vampirekind. you fear our physical doom. while I fear the spiritual and eternal condemnation of many. Am I correct in this assessment?"

[Gummy]

Dracula was quite for quite a while. He was weighing up all the pros and cons and he didn't like the scales. Unless things change things were going to get worse.

"If you wish to talk...."

He thought again and moved over to a nearby bench sitting down as if he was old and stiff and indicated Allgood to the other half of the seat.

"I am organising with the UN for my lands to become a sanctuary for our kind. I have already started a tax where people donate blood, they will donate two pints once a month and pay half the taxes. Half will go to the blood banks and half to others."

He said the last a little strained as a human walked past.

"This allows the people to live easier lives with our own wealth giving them a more stable economy. My neighbour and I have come to a peace where no vampires set foot in his territory at the same time none of his are in ours. There is going to be a no-man's building where future agreements can be discussed. It will become a haven for our kind. However, there are stirrings amoungst the young. They are building farms which if found will surely cause war between humans and us. A war that will be lost by us. We need to adapt and we need to make sure less people are made. This way our society can remain and adapt as long as Blade doesn't disrupt the plans."

He paused again looking directly at Allgood.

"As for the souls and damnation... that would be up to the individual. I have seen and done too much. Lost too much."

The last was whispered to the wind.

[John Kilroy]

Allgood found himself intrigued as he listened to Dracula's endgoal was a neat idea, and could potentially. be a nice way to help vampires and non-vampires find a peaceful coexistence. While ultimately it was not the endgoal he envisioned it was in his mind a nice temporary solution, or not a good backup plan if things went sideways.

"I think it's a good idea. Hey maybe if your idea proves to be successful, we'll see these sorts of night town sanctuary cities pop up in more areas. America has a lot of unclaimed land, especially in the south..."

he wanted to give Dracula some encouragement, but he was also visibly excited by the prospect. However, his enthusiasm was quickly deflated when the subject of human farms came up. 

"So I've heard. I always referred to these places as human slaughterhouses. I don't get it. There are so many places and organizations that will give blood freely to our kind, Mercy General, the Red Cross, the NYBC. Why go to such demonic measures?"


Admittedly Allgood was shocked when Dracula mentioned that fewer vampires needed to be made, this was something VERY different from what he expected to hear from the man who was revered in legend as the lord of vampire lords even contradicting Allgood's own opinion on vampirism a bit. for a brief second, he wondered fpr a brief second if a pig had sprouted wings somewhere. However, Dracula's last sentence made everything fall into place. 

"I have seen and done too much. Lost too much."

Allgood gave him a look of sadness and empathy, not sympathy, empathy. He had been there and if his own experience was anything to go by, Dracula wasn't just talking about his own salvation. This was not Dracula King of the Vampires, the man so dark and evil the devil himself trembled in fear. No, this was Dracula a man who like Soloman had fell into despair. He was not Dracula the lord of darkness and relisher of evil, he was Dracula the man who had lost hope and could not find the light. This wasn't Dracula the roaring lion. This was Dracula the lost little lamb. 

Allgood's first instinct was to give him a sermon about how God had not abandoned him and how there was still hope...but that was not what Dracula needed not at the moment. That time might come eventually. But right now, all Dracula needed was to know that he was not alone. So Allgood wrapped an arm around Dracula's shoulder and pulled a card from one of the pockets of his suit. It had a picture of an ichthys and it read. "The Order of the Fishermen and the Chruch of the Followers of the Way welcomes you." But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets" -Acts 24:14" it also gave the address to the building. 

"While we'd love to have I'm not asking you to come to a service. But daily things are always done at the building. It's a sanctuary for any and all vampires and nonvampires alike seeking solace, peace, and fellowship. No matter your state the door is always open to you." 

He also gave Dracula his phone number and address. "If you ever need anyone to talk to my ears and door are also open to you. We can talk about anything you wish" 

Allgood tapped Dracula's shoulder a couple of times. "Do you like coffee? The employee lounge here has some excellent coffee. I know the people that run this place, so I get free unlimited access to it."  
 

[Gummy]

What happened next was a normal conversation but having Allgood put his arm around him was NOT something he would ever get used to. Men were not meant to do that sort of thing unless they were guiding someone to another location. Women on the other hand could do that to him. So when Allgood did put his arm around him Vlad soon shrugged it off. He was barely tollerating Allgood, if it wasn't for the people flowing through to another room he would have been all vamperic on him. For now though he didn't take the card nor did he accept the extra 'pats'!

He merely sat there gradually getting angrier that Allgood DARE do that to him. He turned to face Allgood and his eyes were full of warning as he spoke so quietly only those with enhanced hearing could eves-drop. Again the tone of his voice spoke more than his words.

"Be warned how you speak to me. I am Lord of our kind and a Count in my own country."

Then his expression softened.

"Coffee... would be a nice change."

[John Kilroy]

Allgood obliged and subtly backed off (although did so in a way not to show fear or vulnerability) he let out a small sigh of disappointment. *and there it is* he thought to himself. THIS was closer to the Dracula he had expected to run into from the start. He could understand not wanting to be touched, that was a step too far on Allgood's part, he could accept that that was a mistake. A case of him not thinking. but that last remark did rub him the wrong way. Contrary to popular belief vampires were far closer to humans than not and as such he had human thoughts and feelings. Still, he let it go.

*You held this sort of pride in yourself too once not so long ago. Who's to say you wouldn't be the same way now if you were in a similar situation?  Sure, you don't recognize the authority of vampire lords, but this man has lived it ever since he first turned, and that aside he's still an aristocrat, some habits die hard...if they ever die at all* 


he gave a genuine smile "Fair enough My apologies Lord Dracula. Would you like me to lead, or do you wish to lead?"

[Gummy]

Dracula watched with curiosity at how Allgood reacted but just nodded in the end. He stood up and straightened his jacket. Looked at the passers by and smiled showing a little too much fang.

"We may walk together. I said call me Vlad whilst here."

He put his hands behind his back as he started to walk waiting only for Allgood to catch up.

"There is a lot going on the UN are looking at my case to join them. At least it is one step closer for security in my home. Maybe one day you will visit? It might become difficult here with Blade wondering about. I just hope the youth don't start any trouble with him. That would be great determental to my cause."

He paused to look at a statue of period costume of the eighteenth century and it made him frown as something felt just wrong.

[John Kilroy]

"Right, my apologies."

Allgood briskly followed as he listened to Dracula's words.

"I would be honored, but I must ask. Would I have your permission to do some missionary work? I believe it is my duty to at least try to reach out to some while I travel abroad. I have never met Blade in person, but I've heard the stories. I think his intentions are just but like Paul he is letting his zeal is focused on the wrong thing. As for the young, the young are easily led astray by those who are ambitious and lust for power..."

Allgood opened the door to the employee breakroom and opened up the door. It was a nice-looking breakroom to be honest. normally nobody but employees were supposed to be in here, but Allgood knew people. He proceeded to make a cup of coffee for the two of them. Once he set Vlad's down he blew on his own cup and took a sip.

[Gummy]

Dracula thought about the request for missionary work. He really didn't care one way or the other so he said nothing in answer to the question. The other statements deserved a calculated answer. The breakroom was like most others, but at least it looked better than he had expected with lovely views. He held the coffee between his hands and looked into the blackness.

"There are a few that are causing all the trouble. My sons are both eager but neither are worthy yet. There is a fine line between what has happened and what must happen next. We must gain land and get accepted as part of humanity or we will be hunted and feared like we once were. If the youth wish to take over then let them do so properly rather than through blood and setting us up as monsters. There are changes coming. Latvia is out of bounds from all vampires. Doom and I have come to an arrangement. We keep to our side of the boarder he keeps to theirs. Spies will be killed after questioning. In return we are working to become part of the UN. It will be the only way will will survive the spreading humans. With the UN's protection we should be able to live comfortably until the future demands a new angle. The youth will no doubt shout at being confined to one location but it is better than the alternative."

[John Kilroy]

Allgood pondered and dissected what Dracula was saying and once he began to understand the full implications of what Dracula was suggesting his eyes began to widen, maybe this wasn't entirely about a power grab, maybe this was about survival and not simply going quietly in the night. but he quickly calmed himself. if he immediately came out of the gate swinging odds were Drac's ears would go deaf and the odds of him listening now were very slim as is.

"First of all you are talking about forcible removing vampires from their homes, maybe even families and friends and putting them into what is essentially a giant concentration camp. If any part of you is not dead inside I shouldn't have to tell you how cruel that is because you already know.

Second of all and these are the words I want you to heed. YOU...ARE FALLING...INTO...A TRAP. They are trying to gather all of the vampires all in one place so that they can wipe everyone out in one swoop, maybe via nuclear bomb, maybe the sun maybe something else, but in any case, you are sentencing everyone to just die quietly in the night. I know because I've seen it happen multiple times. Our kind has been nearly brought to extinction more than once by this very tactic. The UN is not to be trusted. Nor is Doom who has a well-known hatred of our kind Not for the sake of vampire kind but for the sake of innocent lives,  Do not listen to their honeyed words and false promises." 

[Gummy]

Dracula slammed his fist onto the table, it cracked under the pressure.

"No, not forcibly removing them. It is their choice. Most of the young won't come and it is their look out when Blade comes for them or another person. I can't not nor will not see our kind wiped out!"

His eyes was showing a warning to Allgood.

"Of course it is a trap. I know that but we are trying to make a scene where we are in the news looking for asylum. Make our flight like that of the mutants be heard. The young are gradually wiping the council out. Even my own son is trying to do the same. They are fighting for power. Doom is Doom. My work and his are polar but at least we both know where we stand with each other. It is not just our kind that I am fighting for. It is the people who live there, who have been loyal to me for centuries. If my castle falls, they will be put into the farms the young are creating. Their culture wiped out in less than a heart beat."

He shook his head.

"Blade and others like him will come for us time and time again. The ancient MUST sleep and the youth will learn but it will all be too late by then."