All right – Episode 1 is setting up the pins (characters, plot) and Episode 2 is where we start knocking them down. Cassandra and Samael’s relationship changes from purely D/s to a classic romance, particularly with the introduction of The Magic Circle.

Most people are probably familiar with The Magic Circle from the Steam game, which is where the concept was popularized, including with me. It’s not only “game/roleplay space” but also “equality space” where people in various power dynamics can consensually release them while admitting they will return when the Circle is broken. This manifests culturally during the historical Feast of Fools where the orders of clergy would swap power roles. Anyhow, The Magic Circle is there for you and it’s very healthy to incorporate it into your and your partners’ lives.

Okay, the episode starts with the introduction of Stephanie, who is basically Cassandra’s touchstone, or connection to the mortal world while she’s off in the Kindred realm (let’s be serious, she’s basically in the lands of the Fae). I based Steph on a partner of mine, who I love very much, and who is sorta that for me too. We start by seeing Cassandra and Steph’s connection, before Cassandra gets pulled back into her grand adventure. We didn’t see that in the previous episode because I want to contain these arcs in the same episode. Let’s face it. Blood Doll episodes are long because they are contained. They include full arcs that are mostly resolved at the climax.

Next, we see the consequences of the Episode 1 ending. The purpose of this is party cohesion. I also did this with Episode 2 of The Mask of Inanna – I put the characters through some trauma so that they would recognize each other’s strengths and become closer. Cassandra is no longer solely Samael’s plaything. She has proven herself and is invested in the world, and others such as Amanda are invested in her too.

Finally, we hear from Aaralyn, the Tremere Prince of Seattle, because let’s face it, tech rules here. She takes very little shit and is one of the few people who can wrangle Esther to do her bidding. Your favorite Dommy Mommy. She also makes huge mistakes like Brian. So, y’know. Consolidated power sorta sucks. [Insert anarchist flag here.]

I fucking love Esther and Cassandra’s scene while Esther is escorting her out. It establishes so much of their dynamic and Rachel and Kait did a fabulous job. We typically record emotionally charged scenes like this at the end of a recording session, as we did here, especially since it strained Rachel’s voice.

By the way, support Rachel on Patreon. Her photography is fantastic.

Back in Samael’s rooms, Amanda finally connects with Cassandra and we establish that Samael does not like pizza, which I was later informed was a Very Ventrue Thing To Do. Keeping her diet to what Samael permits becomes another touchstone for Cassandra. Another friend did tell me that the whole “won’t eat pizza” aspect of Cassandra didn’t work for them, so if it didn’t work for you, you have company. I thought it was important to Cassandra’s character. I dunno.

Then we get The Magic Circle’s introduction with Cassandra and Samael which was one of my favorite scenes to write. It changes their dynamic and lets them open up to each other safely, which they will need to do as the show continues.

Then we meet Jotham. Oh wow. Jotham. He’s a big stoic boy who has been through a lot. He also regards Samael as one of the oppressive class which is absolutely fair. Soleil just pulled out his voice after I described Jotham and it ended up working really well. Soleil has so many voices, it’s wonderful.

We finally hear Lorea and the Anarchs as something more than interstitials. I wanted to explore anarchist power dynamics with Lorea – someone with a ton of cash in an anarchist movement. (Yes, also I am aware that the VtM term “Anarchs” comes before anarchists, but movements change and adapt, y’all.)

After this, Cassandra gets her last day to wrap things up with the mortal world. Sucks to be her, I guess, but it gave me the opportunity to have a nice little scene with Judith, who I adore. Cassandra shouldn’t expect to be able to flit between worlds any more than anyone else in the Fae territory. I particularly was looking forward to the scene in which she breaks up with Steph – heartbreaking to write, of course, but it’s drama and all drama is good. I also wanted to establish that Cassandra refuses to outright lie to her, but won’t tell her the truth for her own protection.

“And then I became a kept woman. But it was okay. I knew my place.” I wrote this to show how caught Cassandra feels, and I directed Rachel to perform it as sad as possible…

In order to set up for the dance sequence! I was driving home from a partner’s house one night when I saw all of the city of Seattle spread out in front of me, lit up and gorgeous, and ELO’s Xanadu came on the radio – it was sublime. I knew I had to have a scene that could convey this feeling to the audience and so I figured I needed a dance sequence.

After asking some other big name furry dance musicians, Avian Invasion agreed to do 1) the intro, 2) the outro, and 3) the big dance number. Avian Invasion was recommended by a friend of mine although I’d seen him perform at various FetchNW club events that I’d been to. Originally I asked for a three minute rave dance track but Avian Invasion provided a five minute track, so I had to rewrite the scene to fill it up. I’m so glad they did though. The dance is a real highlight of the show. Due to how long it took to get the dance track and coordinate with the actors’ schedules, the dance sequence was almost one of the last scenes to be recorded. It was completely worth it though and I hope you agree.

Aaaaaaand then Cassandra gets taken hostage. She can’t get a break, but you know, danger and threats make for excellent drama, and who am I to deny any of you the most compelling drama I can muster?

Also, fuck Jotham. Tossing Cassandra around like that. Humans just can’t get a break in the VtM world, can they?