As dusk falls, we raise

[Anna]

All things considered, death isnt so bad. Sure, it got its downsides. Case and point, the sack of blood Ive got wired into my arm. An annoying, but unavoidable fact of my new life. Sustinence which fuels the necrotic tissue of my being. Although, I must admit, Im rather suprised by the fact that my appearence has remained so unchanged. Not that Im complaining. Vanity aside, who wants to walk around with skin that looks spraypainted over a skeletal frame. Disgusting. Then again, those unfortunate kindred whom have just such a form must suffer something terribly for it. Ah, but enough musing.

Fed and satisfied, I have buissiness to attend to. My Sire made it clear Im no longer welcome in his home, and frankly Im happy to be gone. Yes, It means I'll have no support from my creator, but I'm more than capable of standing on my own two feet. Im going to prove it tonight to, by presenting myself before the prince.

The night is still young, the glow of the sunset having only just been replaced with the myriad of artifical stars which encrut the cityscape. A beautiful sight as I abondon the shelter I'd taken during the day and set out through the streets. I make my way at a brisk walk, purpose in my steps. Quick enough to get me where Im going, yet still carry a prescence of calm, controled status.

The seperation between those who raise to greatness and those who fall to oblivion is simply this; control. Control yourself, you control others impression of you. Control that, and you contorl them. A cold truth, perhaps, but the key to success.

I reach the not descrpit civil building, having taken the time to glean its location prior to arriving in the city. I enter and approach the woman at the desk. A ghoul. I maintain a plesent front as I make clear my intention, to seek an audience with the prince. The exchange is breif, neither of us perticulaly wanting to engance in formalities.

That comes later.

For now, she directs me down the hall to the audience chamber. The large wooden doors swing in on silent hinges. THough the room is stately,it is less so from the trimmings of power which have been arranged with care, but the residual vibe of those who pass though here. An afterglow of the great. I love the taste of it.

For now, I wait. My sire has made me a focal point of his rage, a scape goat for his own failings. Good. When I raise above him, it'll only further show the difference in our power, the gulf between those who raise and those who fall.

[Roxie]

Alright. Who opened the damn floodgates?
I mean seriously... I think I've done more presentations this week than I've done for the last 20 years!
I don't mind, the city growing only enhances our power as a city.
But this is just getting tedious.
I swear, After business is finished for the day, I'm going to church.
Midnight Mass, Party in a pew, makes me drool just thinking of the fun to be had.
But yeah, work first, pleasure later.
I release yet another new Kindred into the streets of my City, and stop in the hallway of the City Building a moment, to collect my thoughts.
Trent stops beside me, the 7 foot tall ghoul towering above me easily as I lean against him a bit.

"You know Trent, I think we're going to have to petition for an extension on our City land if this keeps up."

Of course, he doesn't say a word. Ghouls should be seen and not heard. But I don't mind. I love the sound of my own voice.
Moving off him I settle my suit over myself, heading down the hall to yet another presentation.
As I head in, Gavin shows up, having finished his last task, to join Trent in guarding me.
I love the impression made on all new kids, the dainty prince coming in with two monstrously muscled beasts of ghouls on each arm.
Perk of the job.
Entering the room I see a vampire that doesn't seem to have any noticeable flaw.
Someone who can pass on the streets easily, and no huge clan signs.
I give a smile, that is obviously habit at this point, and not genuine, all formality now, as I nod my head in greeting.

"I am Roxie, you're Prince.
Welcome to my City.
What is your name and clan?
And what do you know of the Camarilla Traditions?"

I have said this line so many times, it tastes bad coming off my tongue, even if the tone doesn't show that to this woman.

[Anna]

The doors once again open, and there stands the Prince of this urben conglomerate. Several thoughts cross my mind, more or less simoultaniously. The first is her suit, looks italian. Then agian, most suits do these days, they've been the big thing in fashinable buissiness wear. I was never a fan, personally. I find the threads uncomfortable, a situation not remided by my removal from the mortal coil. Personally I find the french work to be a much higher standard, albeit harder to come by since they've fallen out of the spotlight. A spritly figure, slender, like a ballet dancer, boredering on insubstantial, especially compared to the dobermens she's got on hand. Bulls with thumbs, thats about all they seem to count for. Although, speaking from experience, I can say the trap is beautifuly executed. A baited snare to draw potential enemies into making all the wrong assumptions.

By appearence, you'd think that the prince would be in danger of fataly wounding herself walking through a flowery medow, or worse yet, affronted by small children. Anyone with eyes could see that her bodyguards we're the threat, walls of msucle and sweat that would need anti tank weaponry to bring down. Such elegence, its admirable. The truth, more than likely, is thats all their really supposed to do when danger comes knocking. The Testosterone bags get the honor of standing there and soaking up damage while the would be assasin runs themselves dry. All the prince has to do is sit back and let them bleed off their resouces. I have no doubt the woman before me could tear these ghouls appart without batting an eyelash. Her body guards dont protect her with their strength. They sheild the prince by giving any onlooker the proper frame of mind. a small grin brefily alights on my lips.

If nothing else, I respect a job well done.

But Im not here to do battle or make comment on the means by which this Prince chooses to guard herself and her position. Nor is she her to make small talk. She cuts right to buissness, her dialog of choice sounding scripted, even if her tone betrays nothing but an ammused indifference, an affulent disinterest in such a small matter that she's required to play a part in.

Before I speak, I give a respectful bow. Strickly speaking a curtsey would be more appropreat in context, but such a task is not easily done in a pencil skirt.

"Prince Roxie, It is a great pleasure to be welcomed into the company of such a prosperious gathering of brothers and sisters"

I speak softly, kindly, but with a flighting fancy upon each word, creating a merry sense of comrodery, a fellowship shared by strangers.

"My name is Anna Godwin, newly risen Kindred of the 12th generation of the house of the Venture."

Hospility appeased, I raise up so that I am again standing properly.

"Of the traditions, I know all that a kindred need know. If you desire, I shall speak of them in full"

The prince gives her agreement to this. I smile and nod, collecting my thoughts. A small trick, more of a habit than anyhting. When you know a question is coming, be the one to ask it. It gives the appearence of control, though there is no one here to witness our exchange and judge upon it. Like I said, a habit.

"The first tradition is that of silence. The mask that we each dawn to hide our nature from the glossy eyed masses. A tradition which has been handed down since time immamorial, a meanse of survival and assurence. It protects us from the fact that never has there exsisted those with power without those who'd envy such power. Our masks allow us the freedom to exsist both in the world of the mundane and yet tread above the heads of the ignorent. To break the silence is to break all bonds with our society and relinquish all claims to our heritage"

I pause for only a moment to both ready myself for the next tradition and to allow the prince an opportunity to challenge my statment if she so chooses, as well as reflect upon my words.

"The second tradition is that of territory. All preaditory creatues on this planet observe this law to one extent or another. Each establishes their kingdom, be it vast or minisucle. Within that relm they hold sway over what is and is not allowed to pass. When such a law is broken, it sparks anonimity and resentment, destructive twins which lead to no good ends when turned against those whom should be allies. So to is it with us. Within each of our domains, orders are decreed by the ower, and shall not be subverted"

Again, I give a breif pause before I continue, these momentairy silentes puncuating my words in the same way that the silence between notes gives music its shape.

"The third tradition is that of continuence. Specifically, of our race and its bloodline. No resource is infinate, not even the multitudes of mortals on this earth. They can be strained, yes, they can even be overtaxed, but to press them to far is to invite calimity upon us. To ensure that our order does not grow beyond its ability to maintain, the right to create Childer is handed down by the elders only. Ignoring this shall result not only in the created prodigey being eliminated, but in the spawns creator as well. In token to the third tradition is that of the fourth, that of guidence. Te newly risen memebers of our order are to be instructed by their sire. Each generation must be made fit to carry the legacy onwords to the, lest we fall prey to degredation and fall from the apex of our power. Yet, as are all newborns, our childer are foolish to our ways, and must be watched over. To fail to do so is a crime not on the newborn, but on the parent, whom abandoned their responsibility."

I glance for a moment at the prince, trying to read her expression. I make sure to continue on before I linger to long on her gaze. Nobody likes wasting time, and there is nothing more wasteful than needlessly being mute.


"my own prescence before you is in accordence with the fourth tradition, that of Fealty. Wherever we may travel, upon finding ourselve among a gathering of kindred, it is paramount to recieve the blessing of the Prince, ensuring that remote orders do not seek to lay harm upon one another in the form of secret firebrands and betrayers placed umond one anothers ranks. It ensures also that each Kindred within a domain understands the traditions and pledges to uphold them, maintianing the order of our people"

Time for the end, the homestrech. Big finish.

"Lastly, is the Tradition of unmaking. Though a baleful event, it is unavoidable that times may come when we are betrayed by our own. Be they crule to their fellows or uncaring for the traditions, kindred emerge from our ranks whom simply cannot be tolerated. Yes, measures may be taken to correct their behavior, but these may fail. Should such a time come, it is not a duty upon the heads of each of our memebers to take it uppon themselves to purge the blemish from our society. That way lies madness as infighting and blood feudes rend our carefully built empire asunder, our own indulgence in murder eventually driving us to extintion, the loss of all we have created. Thus it falls on the elders, and only upon them, to make the decision for when to call our kind to arms against a breathren. And, may I add, it is only upon a pricne such as yourself to cease such a call once it's been sounded"

My recital complete, I bow again, though this one is only a slight gesture. A punctuation on my wordsmithed passages.

"These are the traditions of our people, Prince Roxie"

[Roxie]

She respectfully bows to me, which is a nice change.
Usually only the vampires already in the city bow on meetings, Introductions never really inspiring that much manners.
Her social manners, and the way she says everything makes me think Ventrue, just as she says it.
12th Generation, poor girl is only one step above the thin bloods.
Her request on recitation brings more of a smile from me.
12th or not, she is Ventrue blood.
I nod my head, giving her leave.
The educated ones do make these meetings nice.
She is flawless and fun in how she does this too.
Though I am the only one to call the blood hunt, the old ways the Traditions were written claims Elders, so I don't correct her at all.
The small performance is flawless, She even managed to lift my boredom here.
I nod with a smile, placing my next question,

"Why have you come to this City, and What are your plans?"

As I give her a moment to think it over, I place a text message calling Whitney to this meeting, and then think of a very important question as well.
When these meetings go good, I provide a glass of blood for Primogen and New Kid, it helps to make sure they have at least something in their systems, so they don't have to run straight to feeding, and the Primogen can take more time setting them up in whatever way is needed.
But Ventrue can't just drink any blood, as is their clan Weakness.
And even though I could, being Prince, ask her particular weakness, it's rude.
Deciding on how to state it, I go with what I know Whitney will require when she arrives.

"Can you drink the blood of an upper class Man?"

That's not asking what she can't drink, just making sure she can drink what I already have to bring to the room.

[Anna]

Nothing can really compare with the sweetness of a well stated, well thought argument. Like a very fine five staru testurant desert, it tantilizes the taste buds, appeasing my pallet. Yummy. I can actually see the approval on Roxie's face, I think I even caught one of the ghouls following along with my words....though perhaps not. They dont seem the brightest bulbs in the box.

After thinking for a moment on my recital, the prince asks her next question, regarding my plans for the future. I nod, almost a half bow, before answering.

"In the short term, I'm looking to establish a dwelling place here for myself. I'll also need a cover story to explain my absence to my clients. Prior to my rebirth, I worked as a spin agent. Many people of power are sure to wonder why I suddenly had to change my schedual to a more nocternal preference, and why I havnt been around to return their calls"

I offer a slight smirk

"Creating an efficitant cover story is something, I can say from experience, only works when it stands up to close examination. Elsewise it leaves more questions unasnwered and only stirs up investigations. Something I've sought to avoid. Im looking to create my new buisness here"

She seems to be sending a message to someone. I raise an eyebrow, wondering who's she's contacting, and what its about. She asks me a rather innocent question concerning the beverage of choice. I nod

"Yes, that'll be fine"

Sure, I can drink it. Its even my prefered taste. The touch of power lingers in the blood, with the immastakable lingering foolhearty eago that can only be found on a man. Sure, its useless to me, but I shant pass up an opportunity to drink in high company.

[Whitney]

This is the time of night I wait for.
I don't get to see much of Damien, our positions in the City and their demands keep us pretty busy most nights.
But, there's those special times of night, where we get our breaks in business, and can meet.
And I love to make the most of these stolen moments.
It's almost enough to make a vampire feel alive again, the short time we have to make the most out of each other. The rush of getting all you can...
I run my hands over every part of him, loving how he runs his fingers through my hair, his lips all over me, bodies pressed tightly to one another.
He is my everything.
Those that say Vampires can't feel love, are the saddest of our lot.
I can feel the blood rushing through long dead veins, the aching need to have him fulfill my physical want of him...
I'm not 'deluding myself' as some vampires would believe about this subject.
Just as I'm about to toss my purse aside, the blasted thing beeps.
I make a slight irritated noise of disappointment.
That's the Prince's ring tone, as song titled 'Cold' by a band called Static X.
I let out an over dramatic sigh as I let him continue to nibble on my neck, while I hold the phone over him and read the text message.

Duty calls my love.

With a unavoidable look, I dig back into my purse, looking for my mirror.
Well... fashionably late is bad to be doing to Roxie, but I'm not at all presentable now.
I grab my things, placing one last kiss on Damien's lips, before rushing to the rest room, wishing I had time to call my hair dresser in.
To make up for it, I simply brush my hair down, no more tangles left to remind me of his fingertips...
I have to completely wash off my makeup, but fortunately I have a perfect complexion, a simple re-application of my lipstick and I may not be at my 'best', but I'm still better looking than all the rest.
My driver waits prepared all night, so when I come out in a hurry, he's ready to go, driving me to the City Building promptly.
I rush on up and knock at the door, Trent opening it for me.
Going in composed, you wouldn't know I really rushed and compensated personal appearance to be here.
I bow at the waist to Roxie,

How may I be of service my Prince?

[Roxie]

Her plans all seem pretty reasonable to me.
A new business only helps the City's over all economy as well.
So if she succeeds, she'll already be giving back to the good of us all.
I could give her contacts to people who can handle making documentation for her spin, but that's really not my department, and up to her to find on her own.
Ventrue love to make their own way as it is, so I keep that thought to myself.
No use to insult someone new who can make something for our City. If she's a good spin-doctor, she'll find her way.
As she says yes to the blood, I go ahead and mentally control Gavin to seek the particular blend I have in mind, based on what I know Whitney will drink.
Speaking of the Ventrue Primogen, she knocks, and I have Trent let her in.
I nod my head to her bow, raising my arm to indicate Anna,

"We have a new addition to your clan that needs situated into our City."

I offer Whitney the goblet of blood.

"Highest class my dear, no worries."

I turn a bit so both are now in my line of vision, to make introductions.

"Anna, this is Whitney, you're clan Primogen. Whitney, Anna.
Anna here promises to show just why you Ventrue are the Blue Bloods of Kindred kind."

I turn to address Anna separately,

"Welcome to the City Anna. You have my permission to show us what you can do.
I shall leave you in Whitney's capable hands."

And with that, I wave, and make my exit, leaving the two of them to their own ways.

[Anna]

It is not sixty seconds after I finish speaking, there is a nock on the door. One of the two ghouls excuses himself to let the new arrival in. I peer over my glasses to see who's come to join us. She's a woman, red headed, prim and well dressed. Her words are prompt. It sounds like she was summoned. I suspect that this may be the result of that text message from earlier. The princes words do well to clearify the situation. I listen carefully as a goblet is offered to me by the second Ghoul. I hold it lightly in my fingers, the hemogoblous fluid. Not only is this woman a clanmate of mine, but introductions reveal that she's the Venture Primogen, Named as Whitney. There is a small quirk of envy in my gut, but it is supressed without incident, allowing only a gratious smile and a respectful bow to Whitney.I also get the pleasure of hearing Roxie's praise. Excellent.

"Its a pleasure to make you aquaintess Madam Whitney."

I will not be so foolish as to say that the powers I've gained since my transformation are parlor tricks. No, they are tools which facilitate a means to an end. But I hold no illusion to the basic truth that power is not derived from supernatural influence or occult magiks. It is not from these tools which one raises, but from connections, friends, allies.

Its not what you know, but who you know.

Roxie seems to find my company pleasent, if not at least there is no antagonisam there. This alone leaves fertile feilds which I may develop in the future. If I can also garter a similar reaction from Whitney, then I'll have succeded in establishing a foothold here. From there, I begin my climb.

Let my Sire weave his petty yarns of hate. I'll silence them. Let him sow whatever seeds of hostility he desires. I'll grind them under my heel. Let him come.

But my fantisies of acomplishments yet to come would only distract me from the here and now. Roxie excuses herself, leaving me and my Primogen. I sip from my goblet, enjoying the flavor. Roxie had taken the time to assure Whitney that the blood was of the upper crust. No brainbuster there that her taste falls to such prestigious blood. I spy an avanue to persue, and take it.

"Mmhhhmm...excellent. I have to admit that your taste is flawless. I almost regret having not been blessed with the opportunity to sample such an enjoyable glass of panacea"

I hold the goblet between my thumb, middle and ring finger, my index slowly tracing swirls along the fluids surface, the tip of my carefully trimmed nail just reaking the surface.

"I fear That Roxie does me a great service with her words, yet I feel oblighed to admit that she exagurates greatly. I do not find myself to be able to accept such praise where its not earned. What more, there is no shortage of excellent examples of our clan and what it stands for, like you for instence. Comparitvle, Im nothing special"

[Whitney]

The new kid bows, but doesn't say her lineage, as is Ventrue custom, but with Roxie in the room still, and talking to us, I wait for my own proper clan introductions.
I'm in no hurry for that part... My own line being an abomination.
Clan members who know me, and of my accomplishments don't pay my line much mind anymore, I have proven myself above my own ancestors in this city. But how are the new kids supposed to respect me, when the first thing they learn is that most of my line are Sabbat members?
Roxie hands me a glass of blood, assuring my 'tastes', and fills me in on what's going in. I listen, rapt at attention for my Prince, though the back parts of my mind are already going back to Damien and what I miss..
I sip at the blood daintily, not one to drink like a pig, as Roxie makes her exit, leaving us to what is now Clan business.
The new kid talk after Roxie leaves, raising my eyebrows.
Best get this stupid formality out of the way...

I am Whitney Ellsworth, Sired by Maximilian Jules, who was Sired by Lisa Rayden, Who was sired by Jeremy Biggs, Who was sired by Dylan Bruce, Who was Sired by Gotsdam, Who was Sired by Tiamat, who was Sired by Ventrue, Our esteemed Founder.
It is a pleasure to meet someone new of our Clan in this City.

With the exception of wincing on Dylan Bruce, I spout the entire line out flawlessly, and continue past it to reply to things she's said before the formalities,

I am glad you appreciate my tastes, it shows you have valuable tastes as well.
Do not misconstrue the Prince's words with praise. She simply stated that you have promised to try, and nothing more.
Trust me. That woman may give credit where it is due, but praise from her lips is not so easily gained.

I'm not trying to be mean, it's the truth. Everything Roxie stated was that this one is working to prove herself, and that is not praise from our Prince. But then, Roxie is not the kind of Prince most people would expect, so until you get to know her, you wouldn't see her words for everything they are.
She lacks the Humanity to be a truly predictable Figurehead, so we must all be fortunate that she's Fair in her dealings.
But she's gone, and now I am left with this one, and trying to find a place to fit her in.
I take another drink, and ask her more intimate questions.
Easier for me to find a place to fit her into the City.

Do you have an income, or money to get your own place? Or do you need a temporary Haven until you are fully situated in the City?

[Anna]

After sipping her own glass, Whitney procedes to the recital of her own linage. I Cringe inwordly, knowing now that I'll be duty bound to reply in turn with my own. A shame then, that I dont know it. Nor do I recognize the names of Whitney's ancestory, though a few of the dredge up memories of passing comments in regards to the Sabbat. My sire, in his deluded preversion of education, sought to make me as an arrow, rather than an archer. I was told only what I'd need to be off use to him. My linage was not included in this, insted used as a leash, the preverbial carrot on the sting, a promised reward for serving him well.

And he Damn well made sure that I knew just how important it was I have such knowledge. Which only made it more of a blow when he refused to tell me.

Well, there's no use in putting it off. This juncture will have to be faced sooner or later, and I might as well face it now, head held with pride.

"And I am Anna Godwin, Sired by Auther Underwood, whom did not find it to his liking to impart any further knowledge upon the linage from which I trace my blood back to our founder, Venture. I apologize for my ignorence in this."

Even that is a great exaguration. Underwood didnt tell me his name, I read it on a letter addressed to him. Even worse is that the notority of the only name I know does me no favors. He was a mad man whom had dwelet brefily in the inner circle of our clan and soon thereafter fell from their good graces to land in near exile, his remaing power drawn from a few well connected alliances with Venture Kindred whom still walked produly amongst our clan. The bastard set me up for failure at every turn.

Of course matters are even further muddled by a misunderstanding. THe prince had said, verbatum 'Anna here promises to show just why you Ventrue are the Blue Bloods of Kindred kind.'. I had not taken this as a expression of my attempt to live up to a standard. In myunderstanding of the phrase, an entirly different meaning was implied. Dammit, this is not going well. Not only am I been saddled with my sire's deadweight, but I made it seem as I I we're some mad glory hound chasing after every scrap of a kind word. An Unacceptable fault on my part, one which is very out of the ordinary for me. I hardly notice that I've begun to gently twirl a lock of my hair around one of my index fingers, a slight gesture of the discomfort I feel, one which does aid in keeping the expression off my face.

"And apologies again, for it seems there is a tad bit of a miscommunication. In my upbringing, the phrase 'So-and-so promises to...' is used in the same way as saying that 'so-and-so shows great potential.' My mistake in reaching a false comprehension of our Prince's words.

At least the next question does offer a chance to redirect the conversation. Will it defur the issue of linage? Unlikely. But it will provide a small buffer at least.

"As of present, I have no income. I work on a case by case basis, usually between a handful of clients whom require my servies on a regular basis, as well as several whom call far less frequently. Still, I've saved enough of a nest age to keep myself finanaced comfotably for at least 8 months. What I do need is a location with which to establish myself in saftey and work at rebuilding my customers confidence. As I explained to our Prince before you arrived, I worked as a spin doctor in life, and at present, my customers are not pleased to have found that I've suddenly be to preocupied to return their calls with haste, and that when I do respond it tends to be at less than convinent hours in the dead of night."

[Whitney]

Instead of stating her line as I did, she lets me know who her Sire is, and that he did not impart her line to her. Which gives me cause to breath a bit easier on my own lineage issues.
Not knowing your line is socially worse than having a mostly Antribue line to begin with.
The name of her Sire rings some bells too, and I state my mind to her on the subject,

Everyone assumed your Sire went into Torpor when he fell from grace. Sad to hear he's still active, and further hurting our clan through his mistreatment of you.

I leave it at that, since to impart any more on my personal feelings would be compromising, and she has yet to prove herself.
But if this one does indeed prove herself above her own Sire, it would give me pleasure to have a hand in lifting her up.
She mentions she has enough saved to help herself for at least 8 months, so my decision on what to do with her is simple.
Once I'm done showing her the town itself, I shall drop her at a contact's office, who can supply furnished apartments, a place she can make her own way, instead of renting a room from my mansion or an emergency hold up for the day.

In that case, Once I've given you a tour of the City, I shall take you to one of my contacts who can provide you with a furnished apartment to start you out with.
Let us finish these drinks, and head on out.

I hold the goblet up to her,

To a new beginning.

I finish the drink, and motion to the door, heading out.
I lead her to my car, the sleek maroon Mercedes Limo shining in the street lights as my driver gets out quickly, first opening a door for me, then rushing to the other side to open the door for her.
Once inside, he gets into his seat, awaiting my orders.

Give us the City rounds James.

The car pulls out at a medium pace, giving us time to see all the sights.

The City building is in the middle class business district of course, no doubt to feel more welcome to all kinds.
We have a lovely park, and some more 'Kindred' night life spots.

With the tap of a button on my arm rest, a small filing cabinet opens up from under the arm rest itself, and I flip quickly through the files, pointing out a map that is color coded, and one of my own business cards as well, handing them both over to her.

The areas marked in red on this map will show you the feeding grounds, so you will know where you can take from.
And my card. As Primogen, I am available to all of our clan when in need.

After we've driven around a bit, just to get a feel of how the City is set up for her, I tap on the intercom to the front,

James, take us to Housing Authority please.

The car moves faster now, with a real destination, and I turn back to her,

My Contact Alyssa shall set you up with a proper Haven, I will leave that to her.
You mentioned you are a Spin Doctor, and your expertise may be called on for City reasons at some point.
No matter you're past, you start clean here, and will be set by your own merits.
If your Sire crosses into this City, for any reason, I would like you to contact me, as it is a City issue at that point, as well as a Clan issue that interests me personally.
Now, do you have any questions at all? Is there anything else you require before I leave you to my Contact?

Just as I get to this part, the car pulls into the agency parking lot, but my driver doesn't move, as he knows we may not be finished.
As Primogen, the way our City runs, settling new Ventrue is something I handle all the time, and he knows the drill.
I can give her a fair start. It is up to her what she makes of that.

[Anna]

Whitney recognizes my sire, even going so far as to state how unfortunate it was for both me personally that he's still active, and for the clan as well. Her sympathy is welcome, less so for any emotional comfort and more so for the fact that it means she isnt taking my heritage and holding it against me. Good. It'd be such a shame for the primogen of the clan to be so narrow minded as to assume the sins of the creator pass on to their offspring.

Whitney offers to show me around the city, as well as connect me to someone whom she knows who'll be able to set me up with a place of residence. Fair enough. She raises her glass in toast, to new beginnings. I raise myown glass in acknowledgment

"To the first day of the rest of our lives"

I drain my own glass quickly, but taking enough time so tha the action is still refined and dignified. It would be such a waste to guzzle down a good drink like it were some commonplace ale to be guzzeled without care.

Our beverages finished, Whitney leads us from the chamber, down to the parking lot where her driver is waiting, attending to us both as we enter the limo before pulling off into the streets. Playing the roll of tourguide, She points out various locations of intrest, before pausing to produce from within her seat a map and her personal card. Pointing out the area's in which feeding is allowed is rather a null point for me, but I still take the time to look it through. More important is the card, which I shall certainly ensure is properly recorded for future use. I nod in thanks

"Thank you for your dedication to upholding your deuty as a Primogen then, I certainly wont hesitate to ring should the need arise."

Pocketing the papers after folding them neatly into a square, I return my attention to Whitney as she directs her driver to deliver us to the houseing athority she'd mentioned in the conference room. Whitney gives me a few more words as we arrive, and I listen as she speaks. When she's finished, I open the door and step out, before turning around to address her.

"Many thanks for the ride, I do believe I can handle things for the moment. You've been a great help already, but should any questions arise, I have your number. Regardless, I hope we can speak to eachother at length again soon. My services are likely to be called in by both Kindred and mortals alike, but I give you my assurence that our race and our clan come first. I see no reason that should a situation arise where I may be of service, I'd be happy to lend aid, if not Pro Bono, then greatly discounted. I would not worry yourself over my sire. He seldom ventures far from his dwelling, even when he does its only to attend the scares social events to which he finds his presence allowed. But if I hear word of his movment, You'll know about it. It was a pleasure sharing your company this evening, Primogen Ellsworth." I bow respectfully and then smile "Have a pleasent night"

Farewells exchanged, I close the door and walk into the housing building. My back to the car, I feel no need to hide the smile on my face. Things had not gone entirly as planned, yet the outcome was exactly what I'd been hoping for. Come what may, I was no longer the helpless childre of a fallen deluded old idiot. I was Anna Godwin. I would not be a bystander, but a Kindred of prowiss and reknown.

Whitney was right, Today is a new beginning.