Friday, May 19, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 5:49 PM
A character I played for some time on some online games called MUDS.
I decided to do a short form intro to him, as a sort of introduction.
I am Karik.
I have been many things throughout my long years, but mostly the Blood of Ventrue burns in my veins.
My God, as I think back over my years, (has it really been that long?), my first Embrace, the struggle to gain Influence and Power as any real Ventrue is wont to do.
There is much I could tell you, there is much I have learned, this world as you know it I have traveled for score of centuries, I know it like the back of hand.
There is many a story I could relate to you, many battles that I have fought both in winning and losing.
Where to begin........
**Karik leans back in a plush leather chair, while a blazing fire roars in the hearth, examines a well manicured finger nail, then reaches out to grasp a flute of deep red liquid.**
**Lightly sipping at the potent red liquid, Karik pauses for a moment and stares at you, his posture is languid, but his intense gaze locks you into place, piercing blue eyes capture you and hold you tight, it is as if the whole world stopped moving.**
So you would know me....
Hmmmmmmmm
**Did his lips move or did he speak that directly into your mind?**
**Karik drops his gaze, the left corner of his mouth quirks up into a smirk of amusement and he chuckles. The pressure drops from you, the world turns back to normal and a feeling of being in quicksand no longer surrounds you.**
Karik says, "Sit by the fire and warm yourself. I ceased to feel the effects of hot or cold centuries ago, but some habits are hard to break. I still enjoy the look of the fire as it plays upon the wood."
As you take a seat in a soft backed leather chair, you take time and finally notice your surroundings.
Exotic Persian rugs of exquisite design that has not been seen for ages (They must be absolutely priceless) cover the hardwood cherry wood floors, the fireplace seems to be made of a rich black and white marble with a hearty fire roaring inside, seems to be the only light being shed in the room.
Something sparkles on the wall, something BIG, they look to be some sort of criss-crossed Glaives across a massive shield with a Ventrue symbol.
You turn as you hear Karik chuckle again.
Karik says, "I see you have noticed my Glaives. Yes, those are the Glaives of Ventrue Law and Glaive of Ventrue Justice. They have been with me from the start and have taken more Life than the rivers hold water."
Copyright © Break in Sanity, 2006.
All Rights Reserved
Monday, May 08, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 10:45 PM
I actually took this concept for a Roleplaying Game I was interested in, where much of it was playing out scenes and keeping in character.
I needed to create a character to start, and the story of the game was based in Las Angeles, so I had to find a reason why this person would travel to Las Angeles, what would drive him to go there.
And Michael was born...
So you want to know me....
Where to begin....
I was just like any other person out there. I had my dreams of finishing college, getting a great job, marrying that gorgeous redhead of a fiance of mine and maybe even having some kids.
Yeah, we all have dreams......
The night, damn, it was so beautiful, scarlet sunset along the beach in Miami. The soft sand, warmed by the afternoon sun, just beginning to cool as the ocean breeze swept across the beach. Amber and I were hidden in an out of the way beach area, surrounded with tall palm trees and brush, it made for the perfect place for privacy. We had our picnic, and I proposed to her as the sun burned its way below the horizon. I jumped in excitement, heart hammering in my chest in excitement and nervousness when she said YES.
Those were the last words I heard from Amber.
There was no warning, HE appeared as a mere shadow, a flash across my sight as I was struck with a force that knocked me a good twenty yards to slam into the crashing surf of the ocean. My chest was on fire, and I could feel the bones of my ribcage grind together in blinding agony. Blood mixed with the salt water of the ocean creating a red foam on the beach as I crawled back out. I staggered slowly back up the beach, bloody foam flecked my lips as my breath came in ragged gasps; desperate to get back to Amber.
The sight I came back to still haunts my nightmares. My beloved Amber, her beauty torn apart, literally. The parts of her body arranged in a horrific parody of life, no blood was left within her, even the flame of her hair seemed dulled.
I didn't know I was screaming till I saw Amber's killer turn suddenly to face me. Perhaps he didn't expect me to be able to get back up or be back so soon, but it was enough that I startled him.
Enough so I saw his face and burned it to memory. At first I thought it was some huge animal, a bear or something that may have gotten loose from the zoo, but I saw his face enough to see it was a some wierdo draped in the fur of a bear.
His face was the last I saw, darkness overcame me as I collapsed.
The next thing I remember is waking in the brush, sirens screamed in the distance and lights burned red and blue across the sand some distance away. A strange woman was bent over me mumbling in a gutteral language as she pulled bandages tight across my chest, pushing the bones back into place. Seeing that I was awake, her eyes locked onto mine and her voice filled my head.
"You are to damaged, I cannot heal this. Seven of your ribs are broken, 3 have puntured your lungs and a sliver of bone has pierced the outter wall of your heart, even now, your heart fails. If your heart doesn't stop first, you will drown to death in your own blood."
Her gaze took on an curious, almost inquisitive look.
"I came upon you to late, the madman who has done this escaped me, but not before feeling the sharpness of my claws across his face. I am trully sorry for what has happened to you and your woman."
"I see a flame in you, a flame of retribution. I see the Great Hunter has laid his hand on you and has given you purpose. I cannot ignore that, mayhap that is why I have been drawn to you."
"Your mate has been taken from you, but I can give you the means to survive, to find the creature who has taken your mate. The way is difficult, but I see in you great promise."
She looks up into the evening sky and whispers, "Ah Great Hunter, you have chosen well with this one...."
Looking back down at me, there is a sense of urgency in her, and again her voice fills my head.
"Time is growing short, already your body is nearing death. I can help you, but you must be willing to die and be reborn pup, are you willing?"
My body feels like a lead weight being drawn into the sand, but anger still burns within my breast, enough so my head slowly nods firmly once.
"Good! Trust in me pup, I will give you the means to join the Hunt", she says.
Darkness filled my vision, pain was no longer felt, but in the distance I could feel a pressure on my neck and her voice, or was it my beloved Amber, whispering in my head, "Drink! You need to drink quickly....."
Salty warmth filled my mouth, my throat......
I drift in the darkness.............
It seems like it was ages ago, but in reality it has been only seven years.
My rescuer I found out later was a Gangrel named Massha and was after what she believes is a Malkavian killer. Massha says this creature has broken the Camarilla, and has even slain other Vampires.
I am still learning. There is a world in the night that Massha has opened up to me that I never knew existed. She stayed with me for the better part of a year, teaching me to hunt, and how to use my new senses and abilities.
I learned much from Massha, though I am normally polite by nature, since the murder of my fiance by that vampire, I have become jaded to any other, both human and vampire. One thing Massha understood was my distrust of all but her, but she instilled in me a mask of respect, and etiquette in dealing with higher stations I will eventually run into she said. She sharpened my senses, increased my strength to hieghts I never dreamed of. Massha informed me that if I was to survive the Hunt, I needed to be incredibly strong, and very knowledgeable.
I haven't seen her for six years since then though, until I received a strange message from Massha saying that HE has surfaced again, and she has tracked him to LA. Come as soon as possible.
That day is burned into my memory, I will never forget. Do you hear me bastard, NEVER!!!
I am coming for you.
I will find you.
Bet on it.
Copyright © Break in Sanity, 2006.
All Rights Reserved
Sunday, May 07, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 4:15 AM
I enjoy writing at times, and had done this one below on a whim once the idea was taken, I wrote around the main thought. I have earlier works, which I will post later on, but I find I like writing, not completely gory horror, but lighter horror. I guess you could say I like the tongue-in-cheek writing the best, and writing that into something that has a dark side to it, is something I would like to explore. Perhaps that is one of the reason I always thought the movie
Army of Darkness was funny: "Trapped in time. Surrounded by evil. Low on gas".
There is just something about the ME against the World types; who look at everything that is stacked against them, the impossible odds, laughs and says, "That all you got? You might want to go back and get a few more..."
Perhaps as I go on, I will write some humor into it, because even in the Darkness, humor, even dark humor, can be fun to insert in a story.
I don't know what happened.
I am running blind down the alleyway, my clothes splattered with blood, and from what I don't know.
It happened so quickly.
I was being accosted by a mugger, he was threatening me with a wicked-looking knife and telling me to give him all my money, when a movement out of the corner of my eye, just a blur, flashed by us swirling the papers that littered the ground and something warm and wet splashed the front of my jacket and across my face. As I looked back up at the mugger, he had a very surprised look in his eyes, his lips formed a silent 'O', as his hands fell to his sides, his knife clattered to the cement and his head slowly tipped backwards revealing the line across his neck, as his head continued tipping back and falling from his shoulders in a slow motion.
My God! The blood spurted like a fountain from the stump of his neck as the body slowly toppled to the ground exposing a shadowy slender figure that was directly hidden by the body at first. The shadowy figure glanced up, glowing green eyes from the depths of Hell locked with mine and a scream ripped from my chest. The next thing I know I am pumping my legs for all they are worth, glancing behind me, expecting to see the Hounds of Hell hot on my heels. Nothing seems to be behind me, and I have been running hard and fast for a good 20 minutes. Whatever it was I seem to have lost it or it had no interest in me.
I stumble to a halt and lean my forehead against the cool cement wall; matted auburn hair sticks to my sweaty face.
My breath coming in ragged gasps as I try and bring my racing thoughts into something coherent.
What the hell just happened!
As if reading my mind of what I just thought, a disembodied voice says, 'I had to feed and it is so much more pleasurable to do so when the prey think THEY are the ones who are in charge and superior.'
A deep, rumbling laugh softly echoed along the alleyway.
A soft whispered breath grazes my neck and I twirl around in sudden fright....nothing is there.
What the hell have I gotten myself into I think to myself. This is not good. Damn, damn, damn...
Suddenly, a figure emerges from the shadows, moving at inhuman speeds, and grabs me. I fight for a moment, but the figure is inhumanly strong, and I am exhausted. I twist in the inhuman grip, and come face to face with the shadow-figure. Glowing green eyes and long canine teeth sparkle in the moonlight, and a scream bursts from my lips. I feel a hand on my head, pulling my hair, pulling my head back; I feel the bite on my neck, a sharp, searing pain...
The pain is so intense as if my very blood was aflame. I have never felt anything like this. My sight has abandoned me as the lamps dim to blackness, and I feel my life drain from me and into Him.
I do not know who this man is, but I know one thing for sure: He was not human. I could sense a feral, animalistic nature in him as my life slowly ebbed away.
Then, just as I felt the last shreds of life fled my body, I felt Him pull away, slice his arm and press it firmly to my mouth. Dark fluid rolled over my tongue and dripped down the back of my throat. I knew only one thing at that moment: I must drink to live.
I swallowed the dark blood that welled from the cut, then fell back screaming, my back arching and fingertips scratching bloody lines in the ground. This pain was completely different from anything I had ever felt before, excruciating beyond mortal bounds as if my heart itself was about to burst from my chest. My sight had returned to some extent, and I saw Him leave, walking at a hurried pace away from the scene of my torment.
I lay there, trying to hold back from screaming as my body spasmed. Trying to control the pain, but failing miserably.
Then, all of a sudden, the pain stopped as if it never happened.
I stood up, and tried to understand what had just happened. I felt very odd, not hot or cold, no aching muscles, no pain from the bite... Actually, to tell you the truth, I felt good. For the first time I could remember, I actually felt really good. But there was something knawing at the back of my mind; something like when your hungry, and it was just before lunch or dinner. No. This was more than hunger, it was starvation, like I had not eaten in days. I had to eat something, but I didn't know what, but a strong craving fills me and the hunger is undeniable.
I do not know what has happened to me, but this night has changed me.....
Copyright © Break in Sanity, 2006.
All Rights Reserved
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 1:45 AM
What to say to a telemarketer! One of the things that has always bugged me (and I'm sure it has most of you, too) is to sit down to dinner only to be interrupted by a phone call from a telemarketer. I decided, on one such occasion, to try to be as irritating to them as they were to me. The call was from AT&T, and it went something like this:
Me: Hello
AT&T: Hello, this is AT&T....
Me: Is this AT&T?
AT&T: Yes, this is AT&T....
Me: This is AT&T?
AT&T: Yes. This is AT&T....
Me: Is this AT&T?
AT&T: YES! This is AT&T. May I speak to Mr. Salem please?
Me: May I ask who is calling?
AT&T: This is AT&T.
Me: OK, hold on.
At this point, I put the phone down for a solid 5 minutes thinking that, surely, this person would have hung up the phone. I ate my salad. Much to my surprise, when I picked up the receiver, she was still waiting. Me: Hello?
AT&T: Is this Mr. Salem?
Me: May I ask who is calling please?
AT&T: Yes, this is AT&T....
Me: Is this AT&T?
AT&T: Yes, this is AT&T....
Me: This is AT&T?
AT&T: Yes, is this Mr. Salem?
Me: Yes, is this AT&T?
AT&T: Yes, sir.
Me: The phone company?
AT&T: Yes, sir.
Me: I thought you said this was AT&T.
AT&T: Yes, sir, we are a phone company.
Me: I already have a phone.
AT&T: We aren't selling phones today, Mr. Salem.
Me: Well, whatever it is, I'm really not interested, but thanks for calling.
When you are not interested in something, I don't think you can express yourself any plainer than by saying "I'm really not interested", but this lady was persistent. AT&T: Mr. Salem, we would like to offer you 10 cents a minute, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
Now, I am sure she meant she was offering a "rate" of 10 cents a minute, but she at no time used the word "rate". I could clearly see that it was time to whip out the trusty old calculator and do a little ciphering. Me: Now, that's 10 cents a minute 24 hours a day?
AT&T: (getting a little excited at this point by my interest) Yes, sir, that's right! 24 hours a day!
Me: 7 days a week?
AT&T: That's right.
Me: 365 days a year?
AT&T: Yes, sir.
Me: I am definitely interested in that! Wow!! That's amazing!!
AT&T: We think so!
Me: That's quite a sum of money!
AT&T: Yes, sir, it's amazing how it adds up.
Me: OK, so will you send me checks weekly, monthly or just one big one at the end of the year for the full $52,560? If you send an annual heck, can I get a cash advance?
AT&T: Excuse me?
Me: You know, the 10 cents a minute.
AT&T: What are you talking about?
Me: You said you'd give me 10 cents a minute, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. That comes to $144 per day, $1,008 per week and $52,560 per year. I'm just interested in knowing how you will be making payment.
AT&T: Oh no, sir, I didn't mean we'd be paying you. You pay us 10 cents a minute.
Me: Wait a minute here! Didn't you say you'd give me 10 cents a minute? Are you sure this is AT&T?
AT&T: Well, yes, this is AT&T, sir, but....
Me: But nothing! How do you figure that by saying that you'll give me 10 cents a minute that I'll give you 10 cents a minute? Is this some kind of subliminal telemarketing scheme? I've read about things like this in the Enquirer, you know. Don't use your alien brainwashing techniques on me.
AT&T: No, sir, we are offering 10 cents a minute for....
Me: THERE YOU GO AGAIN! Can I speak to a supervisor please?!?
AT&T: Sir, I don't think that is necessary.
Me: Sure! You say that now! What happens later?
AT&T: What?
Me: I insist on speaking to a supervisor!
AT&T: Yes, Mr. Salem. Please hold.
So, now AT&T has me on hold, and my supper is getting cold. I begin to eat while I'm waiting for a supervisor. After a wait of a few minutes and while I have a mouth full of food....... Supervisor: Mr. Salem?
Me: Yeth?
Supervisor: I understand you are not quite understanding our 10 cents a minute program.
Me: Id thish Ath Teeth & Teeth? (Is this AT&T)
Supervisor: Yes, sir, it sure is.
I had to swallow before I choked on my food. It was all I could do to suppress my laughter, and I had to be careful not to produce a snort. Me: No, actually I was just waiting for someone to get back to me so that I could sign up for the plan.
Supervisor: OK, no problem, I'll transfer you back to the person who was helping you.
Me: Thank you.
I was on hold once again and managed a few more mouthfuls. I needed to end this conversation. Suddenly, there was an aggravated but polite voice at the other end of the phone. AT&T: Hello, Mr. Salem. I understand that you are interested in signing up for our plan?
Me: Do you have that friends and family thing because you can never have enough friends and I'm an only child and I'd really like to have a little brother.........
AT&T: (click)
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 10:43 PM
Meant to post this on Friday after work since that is when this feeling came over me.....
I normally have never had this feeling while awake, only in scattered remenants of the dream I had the night before that I would vaguely remember, but to have it while awake is an eerie feeling indeed.
It is hard to describe exactly the images and the feelings involved to portrait the correct feel of it, but I will endeavor to try my best to create that picture.
The feeling and sense of being at work, breathing normal air, but have the sudden feeling of weight suddenly wrapping around your body like a second skin. No pressure, but it feels like you would if you were submerged underwater, standing on the ocean floor looking around you. Not quite confusion but a sense of bewilderment accompanies this oppressive feeling.
I told you it was hard to explain.
In the dreams when this has happened, the feeling is the same, like I am underwater but am not. The feel of resistance with any movement, like I am moving my hand and arms slowly through the water. This is one aspect of it.
The other is a bit stranger, it is as if I am very small or the world around me has gotten very big. Try as I might, everything seems too far away to reach or touch. Coupled with the feeling of moving in slow motion while thinking and feeling in normal time, seems strange and a bit daunting.
It was strange that I had dreams like this, but to actually 'feel' it while at work was something that has never happened.
I do not know what to make of it. It is not a scary feeling, no fear is involved, but more of an oppressive feeling, not a smothering type, but the feeling of being so small with everything around you seemingly easy to touch, but never able to touch it because it really is farther away than it seems.
Again, never had that feeling while awake.
Strange indeed.
Monday, May 01, 2006
Posted by Break from Sanity @ 6:00 AM
I know it has been awhile since I have been really sick, but this hurts like hell.
For the most part, early Sunday morning, this damn thing hit me hard. One minute I was fine, the next I was head first in the toilet talking about 'europe'.
Sometimes I forget how hard these things can hit me, cause it goes through my system so fast, but wrings the hell outta me.
By time my next shift got in at 7am (I had already been puking for 7 hours), I looked like death warmed over. I went out to the minivan and layed the seat back and was out for 30 minutes.
I thought that should be enough of a catnap to get me home (45 minute drive), but I was really feeling steam-rolled and all I wanted to do was just get home to fall down on my face for a good 10 hours of sleep!
I know many out there think there are no angels, no God, but I sincerely believe someone or something was watching over me Sunday. As I said, I had been put through the ringer and my body was exhausted, I was trying to make my way home....and fell asleep while driving.
Not once, but four times.
I am talking full asleep, waking with a start still doing 70 MPH, and slowly going toward the wall of the highway.
I managed to get home, safely, in what I can only descibe as divine intervention, because I should very well have been a smear on the road at that speed.
Thank you God. He and I don't talk as much as we used to, but I am very thankful for my life!
My wife was not happy, not happy at all, when I told her what happened, and wanted me to call in sick for my next midnight shift that started in 12 hours. I just needed to sleep this off I figured, and I did, I fell into bed and after a quick bout with a bucket, was fast asleep.
Waking up near time for getting ready to work, I figured I could probably pull my shift, and hopped in the shower. HOT. Damn I needed that. Muscles ached from head to toe and my neck felt like I slept standing on my head.
Work is fine, so far, brought a pillow and catnapped here and there. Can't believe how tired I am. I feel like I haven't slept in ages.
Sipping water and Gatorade, I managed to eat 2 slices of bread with nothing on them. Two slices of bread in 24 hours, ungh.
Made some coffee because I am still wiped out. Not even 10pm and I still have another 8 hours to go before my shift ends. Coffee is a bit strong and damn thing kept going cold on me, because I was only sipping at it. Coffee cups, there is a rant we need to explore later.....
Coffee has had a decidely good effect, I am more alert, and it is not doing me any great harm (no head in toilet), but I probably drank less than a half cup, but damn that was good coffee. Can't tell I am a coffee drinker can you. *grins*
Well, here it is at 06:20AM and I have finished up all my work, I am tired but not as wiped out as yesterday. I sit here typing with a wool lap throw I had in the van, it has been draped over my shoulders for most the evening. I am still getting chills.
I have streaming radio going on my computer here at work, and was listening to Bill Engvall, and he is making me laugh. I have to hold my ribs because I feel like my ribs have been kicked in, that is how badly they hurt. This would not be as bad if my chest didn't feel like every rib was broken....
Thirty more minutes till next shift is in, and I will make my long drive back to home, where a soft pillow and a relaxing bed waits for me. I plan to take full advantage of it.
*Sighs*
Is it 07:00AM yet?
