I blinked. "Saint John's castle was raided?" I've never heard of Saint John. "Who is Saint John?" I feel as if I asked a foolish question but truly don't know.
Rustling papers sound over the microphone. "I can't believe this is happening." Says Scottie. "Did you know somebody in the Department made a vampire?"
I keep my eyes on the Devil Thing. "What is your purpose?"
"We are you… Me, They, and Them." It smiles. "Headcount, just wanted recognition. This is all foolishness."
"Is anyone listening to me?" hisses Scottie. "They made a vampire and me, myself, wasn't aware of that."
I look at the Devil again, "Explain." I turn to face him. The twins shrug, "If you got the fucking time."
Scottie breathes over the mic. "I'm assuming, we get to find out who the fuck De'Jesus Is."
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December 4th, 2005
The cameras clicked and murmurs reached the ceiling of the press room. Counselor Martha Dawson versus Justice Ealar were broadcasted on the Virginia news.
For some time, the great debate was reaching its highest point regarding registered vampires and unregistered vampires.
Counselor Dawson of the Department of Human Resources and Creature Comforts was called out by her own team. Justice Ealar ranted on Twitter that the Department was having its own uprising within. It would seem the department, which was made for overseeing vampires is doing less to care for their safety and others.
Not many are aware of the vampire only site known as Brain Society. It is rumored to be the meeting place for many trades and deals.
Tonight, on WAVY 10 and VUCN 60, Justice Ealar and Counselor Dawson settle an argument on what to do with Vampire needs in Virginia.
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Counselor Dawson stood to the left; she approached the podium and laid down her stack of papers ready for the debate. This wasn't presidential, it didn't concern elections or money. Nobody was aiming for the white house.
Justice Ealar approached the podium to the right wearing a fine business suit and sporting conversation in the crowd. His hat was the topic of soft voices, 'My blood. My life' read the hat.
The Speaker, Phineas Couzens sat down. The two on stage were much older than him. Given his place, it gave a bit of irony.
As the adjudicators stood, Phineas gave his greeting. "Good afternoon honorable adjudicators, members of the Department and opposing teams. Tonight's debate concerns insidious actions of the accused, Martha Dawson, Counselor of the Department. And Justice Tobias Ealar."
Phineas fought to roll his eyes. Again, what was happening could be defined as ironic. "Who would like to speak first?" he addressed. Justice Ealar rose his hand, grimacing at the Councilwoman.
Ealar placed both palms on the podium, straightening his back. "Vampires." He eyed the crowd of people, undead; insane and sane. "The Obayifo people were discovered in Africa. Much like our African Americans."
Instantly, Speaker Couzens shut his eyes, he exhaled and inhaled, again resting his back against his chair. "African Americans shouldn't even be seen as Africans. It puts them at risk of being targeted. Though their ancestry connects to Africa. The black people of America and Department are still protected by the Department's own doctrine. However, in the last three months, the Virginian police and the VUPD are in hysterics. African Americans with no vampiric connection are being subjected to the same medication, the Obayifo, are given by the Department."
Councilwoman flickered, Ealar continued. "Because of this… joining of the two."
"For less than a better word?" spoke Dawson. Ealar shook his head, "It's more respectful." He clarified. "If I may speak…" she rose her hand to the audience. "You may…" said Speaker Couzens upon opening his eyes. "Justice Ealar stated that African Americans shouldn't be joined with vampiric Africans. He has left out, the Spanish," she counted on her fingers. "The Asian Americans, the Desi people in India, the Arabs; as usual—"
"I would like to interrupt Dawson. Firstly, Mexico is a non vampiric nation—"
"It is a country." She corrected. "Mexico, is an independent country. Its written in history, Mexico gained Independence from Spain. I would like to add, during the 1700s. Armando Girardelli kept one hundred Spaniard women in his basement. He was known as El Bebedor, The Drinker Man. And did you know out of that hundred, was La Dama Falsa. La Dama Falsa was known as the Fake Lady. It was rumored that La Dama took the body of a sister related to El Bebedor. With that stated the Bebedor family stood In line as one of the biggest Spanish families."
"By how many?" Ealar pursed his lips. "five hundred and ten. In fact, Thankful was the daughter of Otto Bebedor and Andreina Magnagno. It is traditional for Thankful to be passed from body to body by the Magnago Clan. Her place In vampiric Spanish culture is important." Added Dawson. Ealar sucked in air, "To what degree?"
Dawson furrowed, "Thankful Magnagno broke slavery in Spain at the age of eight. She was regarded as a prophet. I say this because as stated in a Twitter argument," she looked down at her papers. "I quote—"
"You mean you can read." He tilted his head.
She ignored his words, "I quote, this was in September of 2003. You said, 'It's sad as hell how black you can be and not be black at all.'"
Ealar waved his hand, Councilwoman Dawson went on, "On January 14—I found this ironic—"
"Spell it." He mocked.
"Can you?" gawked Dawson. An alarm sounded causing both to look at the speaker. Couzen cleared his throat, "No Spoofing during the debate." He looked at them both. "Carry on respectfully."
"My apologies Speaker," bowed Dawson. Ealar took a bow facing the podium. "Proceeding—On January 14, which is a holiday of Chinese Vampiric Emperor Rónghuà Diǎn. He was also a warrior who, during his travels gave a sick young girl, his own blood to live."
"That's where I call bullshit." He chuckled, wagging his finger. "Firstly, I feel like I'm in school—"
She cut him off, "Good point to make right now. Do you remember twitting—wait, I apologize. Do you remember in the meeting room how you protested against giving a vampiric education that included vampires of all backgrounds?"
"No!" he stood straight. "Let us discuss the leak account you have on Brain Society. Let us—remind, the world, you are formerly a Growden. Let's talk about that. You seem to want to educate me, on the history of vampires—I'm half black! Chinese and Russian!"
Dawson pulled her lips in and smiled, "You told us in the office you were Irish."
"That too!" he jabbed his finger. "I'm fully aware of the history—"
"Excuse me, you said, African Americans—"
"Black people—"
"Should basically be segregated from their origin. Which doesn't make any sense."
"And I can clarify even more on the matter." He straightened his suit, smoothing it down though it possessed no wrinkles. "Black people are not vampires. I stated it clearly, Obayifo people are vampires. The Department was made to fulfil the needs of vampires looking for restoration. We have," he thrusted his four fingers. "People that do not want to be vampires. Vampires suffer from anemia, hence the need for blood, anemia affects a good 1.6 billion people, worldwide. So, there are Chinese non vampiric needing blood. However, I will say this again, be sure to listen—" As he opened his mouth, the alarm sounded making Dawson flinch.
"Spoofing, Justice Ealar."
Ealar faced Dawson across from him. In his head, he wondered could he hit her from where he stood. "Not everyone wants to be a vampire. Vampires have been proven to be useless! In the movies, vampires show the means to give blood that revives a dead body. Another use is vampire bites—apparently, had the means to bring back Bella Swan. The bitch is dead. Vampirism is simply a mockery of the stem cell research." His brow began to crease.
"Vampirism includes stem cells. In the tribe—"
"Is it," he scratched his temple. "Is it illegal to talk about the Tribe which the Obayifo came from because we never talk about the tribe. We just say—The Tribe."
"Let me finish, in the tribe, the obayifo that was praised was given bone marrow."
Ealar rested his elbow on the podium and his chin between his index and thumb. "From the very people that praised him. And I ask, why?"
"Hold on, Councilwoman Dawson and Justice Ealar. If I may add to the discussion. Let me add, that the reason for this debate was to discuss insidious actions within the Department of Human Resources and Creature Comforts. What was the first claim?" Speaker Phineas brought into question.
"The department is—" don't swear, he reminded himself. "Is crooked."
"What do you mean by crooked Justice Ealar?" the Speaker alluded.
"The department is failing us. More and more people are committed to being or enslaving themselves to covens or cults. The number of humans in vampire HOLES are rising. The department is made to monitor the creatures and yet the problem is worse than ever.
Councilwoman Dawson arched her brow, peering at Ealar. "I understand how you feel. Justice Ealar, the department is very much aware of short comings and outbreaks. I'm afraid to admit the department is under pressure of the people within and out. As you know President Maddir under wet ritual treatment due to several targeted attacks from vampires."
He sneered; how long did it take it to come up with such a lie? A few minutes, he pondered. "You stand very calmly, announcing that President Maddir is bed ridden."
She put her hands together. "Justice Ealar, listen to me closely. I didn't say that President Maddir of the Department of Human Resources and Creature Comforts was bed ridden. I simply said, in small terms, the president was recovering from vampire attacks."
He patted the podium rhythmically with his flat fingers. "And what is being done inside the Department?"
That, she couldn't give a straight answer. Speaker Couzen rang the bell, "Before we dismiss, I want to ask, what happened to the President of the department?"
She took a breath from her nose. She knew too much.
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"Pụsio." Spoke the demon. The environment altered; the barriers that made the maze sunk into the floor. "What's happening?" asked Scottie from the mic. The gargoyles fused together, making one whole statue. Standing up on its hind legs. His body modulating his limbs and facial appearance.
He went from a snub nose winged pug to a tall man wearing a red tailcoat, two horns escape his forehead, the left holding a ring. His hair is brown and white on the sides. Behind him, a clear tail I barely notice flickers. "I am Ti-Oruko."
His skin is pale with blue veins across his cheeks. That's not African.
"White African." He states. "My grave was buried in South Africa before the take over."
"Take over?" I'm aware that South Africa was claimed by the British years ago. And the last time I ever thought on it, ain't no happiness down there. "This is foolish. The Things are annoyed with this… nigger." Ti-Oruko narrows his eyes. "He came from the department. Devil Things would not exist if it wasn't for praisers. He's using the disc; he isn't much of a dj."
"The Disc of Ghytto?" The Ghytto is a passage. A world in between, what people usually don't notice is that the disc of the world are spun by the Gods in Yo Gotithehm Ten. "Which Disc?"
"Did you know a Trance is used to keep Aleigha sleep?"
"My brother?"
He chuckles. "What an unfortunate name. But his real name is July. Why would a vampire that bold take the name of a King?" his had slaps his face as he irrupts in laughter. "Nigga has no sense. Unless he is using his body." He stares at me. "Where did your brother come from?"
My goddamn window but that isn't what I want to know. "You hidin' something from me?"
"No." he says, crossing his arms. "I merely asked a question."
"I think you are. What are you trying to tell me about my brother? What does he have to do with this?"
He taps his chin and looks towards the wall. "A vampire cannot enter a home unless invited. And as we say on the streets… My home is a temple. And my body stays at home."
"Meaning."
He giggles, "Saint John and Aleigha hated each other. It was over territory. Aleigha took his part and John, well, he wanted more. Saint John came into this world as God's disobedient child. And his most high, Ealieus, kicked his son out the temple. He wasn't 18 but he was stupid."
Vampiric tales are just tales ad easily merged with human religion. I always thought it held more goofiness than anything. "The God's stayed in the most beautiful apartment on God 9 Lane. Which you can't even find anymore."
"Why?"
"John kept breaking in. Sold drugs on the side, married a child and prostituted her." He squints, "You know, your mother, the little speaker…"
"And?"
"Boy are you listening? You got shit in yo draws and ears?" he furrows and grimaces. "Your mother is adopted by Gabriel. The True Golden Heaven is, if anything, mesmerized."
"Meaning?"
He rolls his eyes, they become bulging and red. "Nigga is my breath bad? Or are you deaf?"
Oh my God I hate the Ghytto. "Yo mama Hanielle is adopted by Gabriel, and I hate to say this outright because it holds no mystery for the story." He puts his hands on his hips. "Gabriel has a vampire and it ain't Lucifer. Though…" he looks up. "Isyr came from him too. And the hulk of bodies comes from his giant ass. Nobody wants to admit that Gabriel just isn't himself."
"What does this have to do with my mother?"
"Oh, shit." He tilts his head. "Hanielle's with John. And John is just doing too much now, so he put Headcount in place until he's done."
"Done?"
"Breeding."