Torn

I was just about out of the whole thing, but Torie said, “Don’t quit. Just let your membership slide.” She smiled. “You never know what happens. Besides, Jack knows Walker’s still alive.” I agreed because she made goo-goo eyes at me. So, I pulled down Marcus’ app, resigned from my ST position, and spent my Fridays with less melodramatic company.

Then, the e-mail last night. Another one this morning.

Well, what do you know, Jack was right. Walker is alive. Now, the question of what to do.

Getting my character back will not change the nature of the Camarilla. It’s loaded with cheaters. No, not cheaters. People who have elevated cheating to a brand new level. I was talking to when I said, “It’s cheating by intentional error.” “I didn’t know the rule worked that way…” is the standard battle cry for those caught breaking the rules. All you have to do is pretend you didn’t know how the rules worked, and you’re covered. Heh. Problem is, the people I hear this most from are officers. The reason I should never be a Coordinator: “Well, that’s too bad. Here, have a month off. You can use the time to get acquainted with the rules.”

I e-mailed a friend and told her, “I don’t like the Cam. I don’t like the people, I don’t like the politics, I don’t like the policies, I don’t like the rules, I don’t like the MC system… I just don’t like the Cam.”

She said, “I’m glad you quit. Every post you made, you sounded miserable.”

But I like my character. And I like the story he was headed for. And he’s got a goal. And it’s a goal I think I could reach.

I designed William Walker to be the most inoffensive character possible. He’s friendly, he has no ambitions, he has a high Humanity, he helps anyone who asks, he’s a vice cop who worked in child crime, he’s compassionate, reasonable, and doesn’t go in for politics.

And in four months of play, he’s been the target of at least three assassination attempts, and dodged I don’t know how many more. I made him a Tremere because the Clan Advantage is Unity. Too bad I picked the only Clan who’s Clan Advantage relies on the other players playing it.

Anyway…

The reasons to stay away far outnumber the reasons to play. With one notable exception. And that one notable exception is an important one.

I made a promise. I keep my promises.

told me “Everybody loses a character to cheating, but it’s very rare you get that character back. Take advantage of it.”

said, “It’s good people who make a difference. The only way to change the organization is from the inside.”

Jack said, “Walker’s still alive! And he gave me this watch!”

I have to take a close look at the people I trust in the organization and decide if Walker’s ever coming back to Los Angeles. Marcus is already on his way back to Minneapolis.

But I made a promise.
And Walker did, too.