THE STREETS OF HARLAN - CROWSPLOSION

[Thy Dungyeon Maestyr]

     Early in the night in them mean streets of Harlan, many a crowboy lay
  destroyed at the hands of Marcus.  For lo, he was mighty, and they had the
   misfortune to assume any vamps they didn't recognize must be from the
      film crew & too weak to resist harassment...

   Meanwhile, surveying the destruction from a shadow so deep
 Marcus could not hear a peep from it, these two bore witness.

  Clyde-
"Well this is quite a mess."        Allison-
                                                   "Yeah it is. Who the hell
  Clyde-                                          is that, anyway?"
"My money's on new Circle
   to take on spunky boy."
                                                       Allison-
                                                   "I thought they just had
                                                      a bunch of babies.
                                                  Why would this guy bother
  Clyde-                                        with those chumps?"
    "..."

  Clyde-
"I like the way you think, kiddo.
  Why would he bother?  He
     has no reason at all."
                                                      Allison-
                                  "Must've gave him the big bucks or
   Clyde-                somethin'.  What should we do about it?"
 "Be neighborly,
find out what he's into."
                                                    Allison-
                                       "Hmm, good plan, but he seems
   Clyde-                           to be a bit pissy at the mo.' "
 "Then he needs cheerin' up!"

        Treacherous shadows gave birth to more baldies.

                          
                            Clyde-
          "Hey there, Mr. Continental.  Turn that frown upside down?"
    

        Marcus wielded a bloody sword in broad night-light.
             He whipped around and held it at the ready.

  Marcus-
"More of you?"
            
                          Clyde-
           "More of me, more of you, more of her.
      The night is young.  What say we keep it fun?"

  Marcus-
"I'd rather have fun, yes. It's not my idea of fun to be
   attacked by ghoulish foot soldiers. Are they yours?"
         
                          Clyde-
          "They are their own, not as much so as my elegantly be-derby'd
          compadre here, but just as free-willed. 
                                                                                       Allison-
                          Clyde-                                                 "Ta-da~"
           "You strike me as a self-possessed sort.
           What brings you to our humble home?"

  Marcus-
"Hm. I am Marcus and I have come to combat the terrorist.
I can't imagine he has allies, so I assume you are independent
 from both the Circle and this newcomer?"
      
                  Clyde-
   "You're as sharp as a stand-up stiletto.  I'm all about independence.
  what appeals to you about the prospect of trashing the tow-head, if
    it's not too importune?"                                  Allison-
                                                                               "Hint there: he ain't bald."

Marcus lowered his sword.

  Marcus-
   "I can't stand disorder. Society has functioned for millennia
by the systems it puts into place. This agitator is a cancer to be excised.
    Are your families normally in town or are you visiting?"
           
                  Clyde-
     "Seems those who share your cause haven't been so hot at
 sharin' information.  My family is well-known if not well-loved,
   and we are both as local as lettuce.  No wilt on our leaves."

  Marcus-
"Interesting. I was not aware of others in town.
Doesn't the Circle put up a fuss about outsiders?
I've no interest in enforcing that, if you're wondering,
I've agreed to combat the terrorist, but otherwise
I don't have much stake in what goes on here."
      
                  Clyde-
       "No stake!  Why not?  You should be getting a stake, my friend,
    not the wooden kind neither.  As for the outsider deal, the Circle
      used to cut us some slack, maybe on account a we're from here,
           but it's a lil' more gruesome of late..."
           
                  Clyde-
"...Not that these particular lads didn't bring it on themselves, right Al?"
                                                                                 Allison-
                                                                    "Eh, yeah, not too bright those ones."

  Marcus-
"Your family does not keep control of its younger members?
Is this because of the 'slack' or its loss?
I understand wishing to curb banditry, but was it better before?"

 He leaned his sword against a brick wall and wiped his bloody hands with a kerchief.

              
                  Clyde-
     "Their rambunction with ya is no doubt inspired by our latest fracas,
but they have always been free to do what they please.  Was it better before?
    A lot more of us had heads last week, so ... peachy."
                         
                  Clyde-
    "But enougha that, let's talk about your stake.  Harlan is the
 jewel of a nation.  What would you like to get out of it?  There's
    gotta be something."

   Marcus-
"I am but a lowly servant, not born of high-blood.
  So whatever I could want is of no import,
    quite obviously..."
                         
                  Clyde-
      "Obviously.  Not at all tough enough
        to get what you like when you like."

Marcus-
"Hm... well, if I were to imagine a fantastical fantasy world,
  it would be one where power and skill were respected
    regardless of one's status by birth."
                         
                  Clyde-
       "Not even... Well now.  Fancy that?"        Allison-
                                                                "Sheesh, these Circle dudes are
                                                                   pretty lame-ass. No offense."
 
   Marcus-
"No offense, since I'm not one of them.
 Apparently, beggars can be choosers."
      
                  Clyde-
        "Sir, I like your style.  If any of my fellows give you trouble,
   I know you'll do as ya please and it doesn't confront me at all,
     but I'll get the word out ta see if I can save you the nuisance."

   Marcus-
"How courteous. Thank you.
Of course you never heard any of this from me..."