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Aug 19, 2016 17:05:27 GMT
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Post by Smitejr on Jun 5, 2016 23:19:53 GMT
I was frankly amazed by the progress of things...the Mage's Guild truly didn't mess around. In the span of all of a single week, I had received funding, supplies, housing, and assignments...it was truly as if I had belonged to something. Already I was more emotionally and mentally stable...simply getting off the streets, not having to directly draw blood from the hapless inhabitants of the surrounding world was a huge benefit to my psyche, to the point that I was more easily able to think...I was able to start making progress again. Things were good.
I enjoyed you more when you were leaner. Hungrier. Please do not bore me with your newfound security. Ravi all but spit out the last word. Of course she preferred things like that. The strict survival of the fittest life was what she was most used to, what she understood, what she craved. But then...wasn't she looking at it the wrong way?
Come now, Ravi. You know as well as I that simply because the base means of survival are provided for doesn't mean the strong cease to devour the weak. If you become bored, then it is my mistake, and my responsibility. Don't think I will forget our arrangement.
With the nature spirit I was bonded to satisfied, I go to follow up on the arrangement I had established with my acceptance to the Guild, with the person that had chosen to extend that acceptance. Ruby Boivin, another Vampire of my particular variety. Someone who I felt I could trust. Then again...it was very hard to tell. Reason said I shouldn't...though in my experience, reason would dictate I trust no one. But...unfortunately for me, that wasn't me.
You're not a pack animal, Vampire. I don't see why an eagle should pretend it's a wolf.
Quite frankly, Ravi, I didn't ask your opinion. I will conduct myself how I see fit.
Far from getting upset, the nature spirit accepts this, and does not comment. Perhaps I had earned a measure of respect? Who could tell with her, she was beyond human comprehension. As I walked through the doors to the Mage's Guild, I found the very same receptionist. I smile to him, a much more composed and together greeting than my last. Rather than beaten and faded robes...Robes of all things, I was dressed in a suit that, while a bit antiquated in cut, served to remind me of my time. I was still Turner, even as I was Strigoi. Besides, perhaps it would be approved from my erstwhile benefactor...she had chosen similarly time-displaced dress. And most of all, he felt comfortable in it, easy. It gave him a confidence that things in the world were right.
"Hello again, Alexi." I had of course learned his name, and the name of the other staff that I would regularly come into contact with. Such things were expected of a proper leader of the family. "Ms. Boivin is expecting me." I nod my head to him. "I remember the way, and shall see myself up. Thank you once again."
The walk up the winding halls to the office I was instructed to return to, and when I make it there, I give a knock. Indecision strikes...should I try to act less confident? Would she believe my previous display was mere affectation, a ruse to enter the Guild? Or would it be seen as simply following her advice? In any event, she had a strong ability to get inside of my head that I recalled...so it seems foolish to do anything other than let the truth be the truth. Things tended to work out better for everyone when greed and subterfuge didn't get in the way.
"Ms. Boivin, it's me again. I hope I'm not interrupting anything too important."
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Sept 11, 2016 5:31:39 GMT
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Post by Restkastel on Jun 7, 2016 3:42:32 GMT
Another week, another paperwork day. It was one point of consistency in my life here in this city, even if it was tedious and boring. Much had happened in the week since I was here doing paperwork last. My sister had, for lack of a better word, barged back into my life after I had thought her dead or decrepit from age after so many years, and as a Kindred of Sanguinius no less. It was a very happy reunion, despite the rather odd circumstances around how she had been sent to find my sire who her clan had still thought alive. It also was rather ironic how our situations had placed us on opposite sides of the war with very different roles. Fate seemed to have a twisted sense of humor indeed given what our situations were like.
Oooooh, its that magician from last week putting in another necromancy request. How persistent of him.
As she said that, I focused back on my work, and indeed found that magician from last week had resubmitted his request, this time more delicately worded and veiled in its intentions. Deciding it wasn't worth denying once again seeing as it would keep coming across my desk, I simply approved it and took internal bets on how long it would take before he was caught and punished harshly for his abuse of necromancy. It wasn't any concern of mine anyway, and who knows, I might get to use him in an experiment if he did something really offensive to the guild. One could only hope, I guess.
As I worked on my weeks worth of paperwork, the youngling who had totally slipped my mind for a bit due to my sister's reappearance knocked on my door, his voice very recognizable even without any introduction. Deciding that it was just about time for a break anyway, I called out to the young strigoi through the door. "Come on in, Kursten, the door is not locked. I am just in the middle of paperwork so you aren't interrupting anything terribly important," I said, inviting the youngling to come in.
Mistress, maybe he would like to partake in betting on when that pervert gets his dues? That might be an interesting bet.
Hmmm, perhaps, but only if it comes up in conversation, Izodar. I would not want to be too overly friendly too quickly, it puts out a bad example to the youngling.
As you wish, Mistress.
With Izodar backing out of my thoughts again, I waited for the boy to open the door before inspecting him up and down. He seemed a lot more polished now that he had a home, and was wearing a very nice suit, much better than the plain stuff that humans wore nowadays. Was it so hard to make something fashionable? Everything was far too minimalist and showed too much skin for my taste. I did find it ironic that there were two crosses of Saint Peter on him though, it was an odd choice. Perhaps he was under the impression they were demonic rather than holy?
"I do recall us having an appointment to meet today now athink about it, I do apologize for not preparing beforehand, my last week was rather hectic. You would not imagine how much paperwork there is to get a door fixed after its broken into," I said, sighing a bit before continuing, "But thats besides the issue, I assume since you didn't come to see me sooner, your integration into the mags guild went smoothly?" I finished, ending with a question to try to get the boy to talk a bit about his week.
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Post by Smitejr on Jun 7, 2016 4:44:36 GMT
I walk in after receiving the invitation from the vampire that looked like a young child. I smile politely to her as I sit down...hopefully my attempt to ask permission and be polite was correct...it seemed to be. She didn't reprimand me for it again, at least. I keep this indecision bottled up, though. I didn't have the excuse of being weak, hungry, and desperate. That was one thing that I would not allow myself to be consumed by. “Thank you, Ms. Boivin. I'm quite happy to see you again.”
The room was much as I remember it being. Neat, orderly, and with a mountain of paper that seemed to reach halfway to the ceiling. Eyeing the pile, I wince instinctively. “Another trying day, I see. You have my condolences.” It was perfectly genuine. She had made it clear earlier how much she loathed the unending boredom that was part and parcel to large amounts of paperwork, and I wouldn't wish that kind of suffering on my worst enemy, let alone someone I felt like I owed a fair amount of gratitude towards.
The feeling caused another thought to pass his mind. “Is there a reason you haven't sought an assistant for this? It feels quite excessive.” Another remark that could be viewed as being obsequious that was delivered with utmost straightforwardness. And it was a valid point. This was a waste of a skilled magus' time...and if there was one thing that me and my nature spirit agreed on, it was that waste was abhorrent. And, for better or for worse, I wasn't outwardly self-editing...and therefore, it was less universally effective. I felt comfortable...and when I did start thinking about that, it worried me a bit.
Nevertheless, I smile at her apology. “No need, of course. You are a very busy woman. I'm quite thankful for you agreeing to spend your time like this.” Her casual mention of a door piques my curiosity. “Paperwork for a door? I wouldn't think anything too bad occurred in the Mage's Guild, seeing as if there was the gossip would be incessant if it were.” I kept silent on the fact that if it were very bad, there would be absolutely no gossip, whether through loyalty, coercion, or worse. Then again, “door” wouldn't be the first word to come to mind. “Seal,” “Barrier,” and other such ideas came far more readily. “In any event, it sounds like a story.”
I nod in response to Boivin's inquiry as to his transfer into the Guild. “Quite smoothly. The Guild is either extraordinarily efficient as a matter of course, or I was given something approaching a VIP treatment.” That was possible. I was from a relatively noteworthy family, and was a Strigoi vampire. Either one of these could have granted me hastened service and attempts to bring me quickly into the fold. “In any event, I must thank you again. I am adapting quite well to this new situation. I have supplies, blood, a roof over my head, and most importantly, freedom of research. It's quite possible this would not have been possible without you. Please, let me know if there is a way I can repay the hospitality.”
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Sept 11, 2016 5:31:39 GMT
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Post by Restkastel on Jun 8, 2016 0:55:45 GMT
I responded to the boy's greeting in kind, as the rules of etiquette dictated, "And it is quite nice to see you again as well, Kursten. It is a nice break from my weekly paperwork. And feel free to call me Ruby, it would be odd for me to be calling you by your first name when you still are referring to me so formally." That was my genuine feeling on the subject, after all I preferred to stay on an equal level with my fellow strigoi if I could. I didn't see the need to lay out a hierarchy among us, we were all fellow researchers looking to make our own magic more powerful after all. Of course, some were more powerful and older than others, but that was no reason to put any sort of awe on them, they simply had studied longer than us, and we could eventually reach that level with patience and hard work.
He also once again gave his condolences on my workload, after eyeing the stack of papers, and even gave a suggestion to get someone to help with them given how tedious it was. That was a good idea, but unfortunately I had had it several months ago and had been deind it, and I decided to let him know that and why. "Unfortunately Kursten, that isn't really an option. I actually asked for an assistant to help with that a while ago, and the guild didn't deem it a good idea. They give me the requests for necromancy, demon summoning, and the like, so I think they want to assure the public that they have an expert look over each request personally so that they look better to them," I said sighing. That really had to be the case, I couldn't really think of anything else besides that. There were plenty of people who could do a lot of paperwork quickly, but not many of them were people who knew a good deal about the subjects at hand.
"As for the door, you are right in it being quite the story. The main reason why it isn't being spread around the guild like wildfire is I have been doing my best to keep it hushed up a bit, given the circumstances. And given that I do a lot of paperwork anyway, it was rather easy," I said, puasing before I continued. "You see, I didn't want to get the culprit in too much trouble, after all, it was my long lost dear sister who did it. We were separated a few years before I joined House Strigoi, and I had thought her dead of old age by now, but apparently fate has a strange sense of humor, and she was taken in by a group of Sanguines who later joined up with the allied forces during the second world war." I paused to wait for a bit of reaction before continuing, deciding to tell the boy the whole story since he seemed like a rather genuine person who wouldn't be a rumor monger, "As for how she came to breaking down my door, someone in her house had some very wrong intel that my old sire was still alive and was working with the guild. Apparently someone mixed up some paperwork or something and thought that I was actually my sire who worked for Thule, and were coming to kill him. Luckily, we recognized each other after so many years and got it worked out."
Deciding to shift gears a bit to his last comments, I began to speak, "That's good, I am glad I decided to expedite those papers. I guess I was right in that you needed a place to stay rather badly. Normally it probably would have taken a bit more time, though not terribly. I just felt like you really desperately needed the help, so I decided to help out a fellow Stigoi. As for how you can repay me, there is really no need, it was simply me doing my job and showing a bit of house loyalty. Just make sure to pay it forward to the next house member you find in need."
How awfully kind of you master, I might just cry at the heartwarming kindness you showed the boy.
I simply internally sighed at Izodar's rather snarky commend and replied to her. I did not ask for your opinion, Izodar. It is only proper to show a bit more kiindness to members of yoru house, after all, they are like an extended family of sorts, especially among one of the rarer breeds like ourselves.
If you say so, Mistress~
With the teasing finished, Izodar settled back into the background and I kept myself from rubbing my temples. I swore that all the sass that demon gave me was payback for tricking her into the contract. She was a very passive aggressive one, that was for sure.
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Post by Smitejr on Jun 8, 2016 3:16:38 GMT
I smile at the offer, and incline my head. "Of course, Ruby. I'll keep that in mind." In contrast to Ruby's distaste for heirarchy, I preferred it. It was simpler when people knew their place, gave information on how to act, how to compartmentalize. However, I could recognize the efficiency in this situation, so I was more than willing to go along with Ruby's request. It certainly elevated me to a status I didn't feel I deserved...yet. That didn't quite sit right with me, if I was honest with myself. I hadn't struggled to reach that point, I hadn't earned it. I hadn't demonstrated my worthiness to be raised to the older vampire's level, demonstrated skill that could place me there...
If I didn't know better, I would think I was talking. The nature spirit spoke approvingly. Perhaps I'll get a struggle from you yet.
Inwardly grunting, I smile at Ruby, before looking appropriately conciliatory at the words. Genuinely, if appropriately. "What a shame. I suppose they have a point...but a brief synopsis can aid the parsing of a byzantine document so well. My erstwhile family had a habit of keeping tomes indexed and organized...it made it very easy to learn." Talking about my family seemed simple idle conversation, but I knew it was far, far more than that. I rationalized that it was for that, but I knew it was an attempt to balance the scales, show her I trusted her in return. I did not enjoy being in other people's debt...and I'd been mocked enough by Ravi for it that I tuned out her disdain already. Fairness, and my desire for it. An absolute joke, if a persistent one.
It seemed to fit quite well with the conversation as well. My eyes widened slightly as, in response to his idle chitchat, she spoke a story involving intrigue and attempted murder, as well as an attempt to hush the flow of information around the Guild. It didn't take someone particularly witty to realize that this information could be quite damaging in the wrong hands. It wouldn't be difficult at all to leak information about this culprit...Ruby's sister, and use her attempts to protect her to portray her in a security risk. I didn't know if I genuinely had her confidence to that extent, if she was powerful enough that keeping things quiet was merely for convenience and comfort, or if she was lax enough to make such a misstep accidentally. I discounted the third...but wondered at the others. "That is indeed quite the story. Congratulations...family is such an important thing to have."
The full elucidation of the story merely widened the intrigue, and made me wonder at being told all of this. "Absolutely fascinating. And very convenient." A soft chuckle as I attempt to crack a small joke. "Unfortunately, it's fuel for the Guild's fire. If some mismanaged papers could lead to a mess like that, it seems you'll never get an assistant." I realize that's something that is more likely to exact a sigh than a laugh, so I continue. "But it seems the result was quite happy. Rest assured, I won't spread it around." While he certainly didn't want to make a habit of it, perhaps a small bit of flattery was in order. "I'm afraid you made me curious, I'd rather like to meet her sometime. Especially if she's as gracious as yourself. I can only think of the stories." I knew full well it was unlikely to happen. Encounters between vampires of different stripes were likely not the most casual of affairs. My curiosity was real, though...the story I'd gotten could be fleshed out so much more, but I'd be content minding his own business.
I blink as she describes just what she'd done for me. And here I thought she did me a real favor just by not turning me out into the street...she had gone out of her way to welcome me in with open arms. Damn. I couldn't just blow this off...and I make no effort to hide the surprise on my face. "That's...incredibly generous of you. Truly." Inconveniencing herself to keep me off the street...was it really just the bonds of the Family? No one else in Strigoi had showed me half as much concern, especially not my sire. It was bizarre, if quite welcome. "That goes without saying, but I'll keep it especially in mind. If you do find something, though, please, don't hesitate." With that affirmation out of the way, I try to calm down. I had lost my composure at that little reveal...and composure was important. Crucial, even.
You would make such a good ambush predator if you'd just shake that herd mentality of yours. I won't simply let that go to waste.
I refrain from shaking my head. She was a heartless predator herself...she knew just where to strike to get under my skin.
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Post by Restkastel on Jun 9, 2016 4:48:07 GMT
I definitely felt a great deal more comfortable when we were using the same way of referring ot one another, it always was vexing to find ones ideas and aspirations put down simply because of age or experience, after all, an idea was not limited by your knowledge or experience, only your ability to implement it. And I felt that creating such a stratified society instead of a gathering of peers made it easier for that to happen, intentionally or unintentionally. It made people defer naturally and not speak their mind when they otherwise might have, and that was how ideas were squashed before they even had time to come to fruition.
The boy responded to my own reply in regards to the assistant, but it wasn't anything that really needed much of a response, but I decided to dismiss his worries anyway. "It isn't much trouble, at least for the going through of the documents. I am a fairly quick reader thanks to my practice and skill with language, so it really isn't much of a bother. It is more of deciding what needs to be done with it and filling out any necessary additional paperwork that takes the most time. If it was that much of a chore, I wouldn't be able to get through these giant stacks in one night with a bit of time to spare," I said, giving a bit of a chuckle back at him to confirm it really was more of a nuisance than anything really extremely hindering.
He seemed particularly enthralled with the story of my family, going rather wide eyed as I told the story, and commenting about how family was very important to have. Indeed, this was very true, and I had gone for so many years thinking I never would have my old family back, that I had begun to think of Izodar and the rest of Strigoi as a large family of sorts, with varying degrees of closeness.
Awww, I'm sooooo moved by your feelings for me Mistress, its so nice~
Ignoring the mocking of the daemon who I shared a body with, I returned my attention to the boy's words. He was talking about wanting to meet my sister, and was saying she must have quite a few stories to tell if she was as graceful as myself. To that, I simply sighed and replied, "Unfortunately, as much as I love my dear sister, she is not. The incident that separated us has left very different effects on the both of us, as well as the upbringing we received after our turning. She is a mix of the young girl I remember and a bit of a pyromaniac, of all things, along with some other unsavory character traits that she picked up from her benefactors." I rubbed my temples a bit in frustration before taking an unnecessary breath and continuing, "But she does have quite a few stories to tell, albeit in a bit more vulgar way than I, probably. Perhaps when she gets settled down a bit more and the like you could meet her, I feel that meeting a fine young man who can carry himself properly would be a good influence on her."
The boy continued to say how generous I was and trying to get me to ask for something in return, albeit a bit more subtly this time. It was polite, but I felt like he was making too much out of a bit of kindness for a fellow Strigoi, and I decided to air my thoughts on it. "Its fine, once again it really was nothing special. We Strigoi really ought to look out for each other, after all. There are not terribly many of us around thanks to our eye for quality among our recruits, unlike so many other clans of Kindred, and our art is generally frowned upon even more than most magic by the public at large and especially those bloody catholics." I gave my very honest opinion on the subject, after all, it was all very true, and I could not see how any rational person would come to think otherwise really. "We all all Kindred, bound by the blood that runs in our veins and we are of a House, a home in which our blood is more closely related than we are to kindred not of our House. So a little extra paperwork is nothing to see a fellow kindred off the streets faster, especially when they seem like they have a good head on their shoulders and a bright and interesting path of research ahead of them."
With that all said, I simply waited for the young Kindred's response, doing a bit of paperwork in the meantime but paying full attention to him while I did so, a testament to how experienced I was at slogging through massive piles of paperwork.
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Post by Smitejr on Jun 10, 2016 7:42:33 GMT
While I'm tempted to discuss the point further, I'm certainly willing to let it lie. Anything more on the subject of an assistant for her dealing with the ungodly paperwork would likely only be pedantic and fall on deaf ears. In any event, I smile. "I can only hope the papers to come are less frustrating. I'm glad you are able to work through this mess, thankless work that it is." With that, the question was resolved. Her laughter merely sealed it.
As the conversation shifts to Ruby's sister, I simply shake my head sadly at the news of what had befallen the younger Boivin in the time she had been seperated from her sister. "How dreadful. While it's certainly not unheard of for such situations to occur, I'm truly sorry your sister had to go through events like that. While it was possible pyromania was untriggered...that certainly didn't seem like the case. It was more than implied that she had been treated roughly on top of that. At Ruby's suggestion, I smile and nod. "But of course. I would love to meet your sister, as soon as you feel it appropriate." I raise my hands slightly. "While it pleases me you have something of a positive opinion of me...I'm not sure I can back it up. As you saw, just a week ago I looked and held myself like a street rat. But if you have faith in me, I will continue to try and make myself someone who can represent my family and my House. This is something I promise you." Was I being too theatrical? Probably. But it felt good to say.
If Ravi had been the type to roll her eyes, they'd be spinning. Foolishness. What's the point of saying it. Action is all there is in life, everything else is waste. I quiet her as best I can. You called me pretending to be a pack animal. Well perhaps you are wrong, and there is indeed strength in numbers. I do wish you'd let me handle myself, so long as I give you your challenge. Ravi harrumphs, exasperated, but descends into the darker depths of the soul.
However, my argument with Ravi was blown out of the water by what Ruby told me. Their Clan were family, a home, something beyond merely the realm of "paying things forward?" That was...so different from what I had thought. Everywhere I saw in Strigoi, the strong preyed upon the weak, and my obedience and servience were what kept me alive. And yet Ruby was painting a seperate vision of their clan, something I could only imagine...and want to bring to life. "If...that is what you believe." I remain fairly silent, still processing. It was...something he couldn't imagine...though perhaps his contact with Strigoi was far worse than the norm. In any event...he wanted to bring this dream to reality.
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Post by Restkastel on Jun 11, 2016 5:41:24 GMT
The younger kindred seemed to have somewhat of a negative self image at least from what I could glean from what he was saying in response to my evaluation of him. How sad, he seemed like a well mannered man who had just fell on some hard times, it was a shame to see to see that it had affected his self esteem so much that it led him to hold this poor evaluation of himself. He may have come without much to his name and looking quite badly, it was not a mark against him because of what had transpired, at least from what I knew of the situation, and I decided to let him know that. "Be that as it may, Kursten, a person's lowest point after having travelled long and hard without resources is nothing to judge them by, especially when it comes to first impressions based on appearance. If the ones who decided to give me a chance at becoming Kindred had judged by that standard, I would likely be dead or an old woman by now. What determines a person is their character, how they approach their life circumstances instead of what those circumstances are," I said, making my point very clear on the subject before continuing. "Besides, you are Strigoi. If you were not worthy you would never have been turned in the first place. It is what keeps our House strong and our magic as safe as possible. Only those with the aptitude to perform our Thaumaturgy are turned, and that requires quite the force of will. Those who are unworthy simply become fuel for it instead of becoming masters of it."
However, his odd reaction to my fairly simple declaration of why I did what I did was probably the most intriguing thing I had gotten out of the young kindred. The way he looked confused and tentatively approving of my statement of a whole despite not believing it was very telling indeed. I stopped the paperwork I was doing and leaned over the desk a bit, getting a better look at him, seemingly staring into his very soul perhaps. I put together the pieces in my head to see if I could not try to figure it out. His poor self esteem, his lack of contact with the guild and Strigoi, his lack of knowledge about what it meant to be Kindred in general, all of them were very telling when one put the pieces together. Deciding to test a few of the theories tht came to mind, I began to speak to the boy, not breaking eye contact as I did, "Hmmm, this may seem a bit out of the blue, Kursten, but you said much with that last comment of yours and it got me thinking. You weren't properly initiated into the House, were you? I can't imagine you were given the lack of general knowledge you have, your Sire must have been quite the neglectful one, or perhaps even abusive and demeaning. Is that perhaps why you are so hesitant about the house being a place of bonds. If you don't want to tell your story, you do not have to, but if you ever want a friendly ear to listen, I am more than willing to listen. Don't worry, I do not expect it to come for free, I am willing to share a bit more about my own past if you do yours. After all, we are magi, to gain one must offer something of equal value."
Deciding to wait for the boy's response, I sat there, not letting up with my gaze, making sure to keep the pressure on. If my read on the young kindred was correct, he would falter and try to escape the situation if I didn't, and I got the feeling it would be bad for him if he did that.
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Post by Smitejr on Jun 11, 2016 6:13:04 GMT
Her words were decidedly comforting. He was beginning to warm up to the fact that, yes, I had found a new home, and no, they weren't going to work me to the bone...at least no more than I would decide for myself in the name of my research. Things were good for me. But I saw shadows on the walls, likely mild paranoia. I didn't want to be limited, for when the shiny veneer came tumbling down. Ruby Boivin was being especially kind to me. I couldn't deny that, as it was clear fact. But I also didn't know the true intentions behind that kindness. I didn't know if it was out of the goodness of her heart for another Strigoi, or if it was an attempt for me to let down my guard for some plot in the future when she had a grip on me. I hoped she wouldn't find my responses too peculiar...but I would be forthright with her. Her kindness deserved that at least.
"Thank you for your words, Ruby." I had almost called her 'Miss Ruby.' "If you can truly look beyond appearances, then perhaps I didn't need to wear the suit after all...though I rather like it." I smile, but after a faint bit of warmth, I look down. "I simply wanted to show that even in the short time you've aided me, I'm already a different person than that...Perhaps I wished to give the impression that your investment in me was a wise one." The purple eyes raise, almost in defiance, but it leans more in line with assurance. "In any case, you needn't worry about giving me lessons in self-esteem, I assure you. I am fully aware of my own skills, and the value I can bring to House Strigoi and the Guild. I simply recognize my faults in social matters, which is what you requested for your sister. I am...somewhat rusty, though thankfully some was preserved by instinct."
I felt confident, that I had expressed myself well and clarified my position. While I was certainly willing to fall in line and obey a hierarchy, I was not going to be relegated to some simpering sycophant. I had been a servant once, and I would not be one again. Not ever. That was not who I was, that was not what the Turner family was. It was certainly not what the knowledge I had of the Strigoi Kindred were. However, her explanation blows that confidence out of the water, and I can only keep my face passive and neutral as my mind races. She had struck the nail on the head.
I consider making a polite denial and finding an excuse to leave soon after. However, I doubted that would work on the more experienced and long-lived Ruby. The fact that she could simply toss out a correct hypothesis was proof of that. And...being honest, it wasn't as if having that knowledge would be a weapon in Ruby's hands. If she wanted me to continue my servitude, she could have had me when I was hungry and desperate. Instead she let me find my footing. I felt like I could tell her this. And so, I smile.
"I will tell you my story, Ruby. I would be more than willing to." I hesitate. "But before I do so...a few questions, all closely related. Did you love your mother and father? Do you love your sister?" I take a beat before I leave the last one. "And, if they were in trouble, how far would you go to help them, if you could?" That alone should be enough to set the scene for my story, for the bargain I had made with my sire.
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Sept 11, 2016 5:31:39 GMT
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Post by Restkastel on Jun 12, 2016 5:39:40 GMT
The boy seemed to misunderstand a bit about what I was asking from him when it came to his sister, after all, his amount of social skills was not really an issue in this case, it was more being an exemplar of a good young strigoi and a confident mage as well as an exemplar of the virtues I thought were important in general. Plus it would be good for her to deal with a person like that of the opposite sex, and one who appeared to be of a similar age as her, if not actually that age. However, I decided to let the matter rest, as it wasn't really important to explain this to him, he simply needed to interact with her. I believed it would do them both good, he would get to interact with other kindred and so would she. That and I had taken a particular shine to the boy, he had a spark in him, and seemed like he had the potential to be a great researcher given a chance to come into his own.
The young kindred however took my hypothesis with a facial expression that confirmed what I said, he was keeping a neutral and passive face, but with that sort of hypothesis thrown out, it was a most unusual face to make, at least given what I thought. Normally one would immediately deny it and be a bit flustered that someone would say such athing, however he sat there thinking it seemed, before smiling and verbally confirming what I already had guessed from his behavior. However, he showed potential even then, deciding to ask a few questions before he got into his story, and it was ironic how unintentionally relevant they were to my own.
Quite the interesting specimen, Mistress. I can see why you took a liking to him, he has....potential. It is a shame that he does not contract with daemons, I can think of several of my former friends who would enjoy contracting with him.
Indeed, perhaps I ought to broach the subject with him when he becomes powerful enough to take a second, it would be interesting to see what he attempts to bind that time. THough now is not the time for that, I will discuss this with you at length later.
Very well, mistress.
With that, Izodar once again sank back into the recesses of my mind, and I decided to answer the boys questions in a way that would give a bit of information, but would leave a fair bit to when I told my story back to him. "Of course, I loved my parents, they were always kind and supportive. And of course I love my sister, she is the last blood relative I have in this world. And I would be willing to put my life on the line for her, and if something were to befall them...well I shall leave that for later," I said, giving a few hints as to my own story as I did. I decided not to say too much further and wait for the boy to tell his story, giving him a polite nod to continue and giving him my undivided attention.
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Aug 19, 2016 17:05:27 GMT
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Post by Smitejr on Jun 12, 2016 6:46:54 GMT
I smile. She had answered pretty much exactly how I'd expected her to. She had concurred in points I had hoped she would, and left blank certain unknowable boxes that I had not seen to mention. There was nothing left for it but to explain...and so, steeling myself, I dig into his past that, were it not fo my gratitude, I would have kept buried.
Spare me the melodrama. Ravi's words cut into my thought process. Your past is something you should be proud of. Your trials and tribulations made you strong, far stronger than when you were but a simpering human magus. Embrace it.
I am. I brush her off, but not without effect. I would do the same thing again. But I don't have to think fondly of such things.
You will come around.
Sighing, I turn to Ruby. "As you are aware, my family is Slovak. We were a prominent magus family. And while I had a great, great deal for my parents and brothers...there was more to it than that." I pause, collecting my thoughts and thinking of the best way to put it. To say I envied Ruby's ability with languages would be a gross understatement. "I also loved their...legacy, their history. I felt honored to be a part of it...an integral part, in fact. My family had gone back generations upon generations, with roots in Noricum Rome. We had a history of exceptional finesse with the transference of energy, whether it was ether, life, or soul. I cut myself off from reflexively preening. Much more of that would be quite unsightly. "I say this not to bore you with a pointless history lesson, but to establish how different my family's circumstances were at present to how they were then."
I glance downwards. "Since around the fall of Austria-Hungary, my family did not grow. Our magical potential stagnated for a few generations, then began a downward spiral. Each successive generation was less and less effective at using the crafts my ancestors took for granted. I had been something of a hope for our family...I was a prodigy, someone with the skill to access that power, and had received all the education my family could muster to support that." Looking up at Ruby, I shrug, and shake my head. "And while I had taken a significant chunk out of the slump, my family tested me, and found that offspring I had would simply continue that spiral as well. The future was bleak. While I was the greatest magus in my family in several generations...I was also treated as something of a death knell to my family's hopes that their circumstance would turn around. After all, their one-in-a-million prodigy was not a solution...so what possibly could be?"
My gaze hardened. This was where things fell apart...or came together, depending on the point of view. "I dove into study, to try and find some solution to the unsolvable. While certain vague happenstances could cause a loss of magic potential, it was not a hard and fast science. I experimented with drawing magical energy from animals and vagabond humans to try and use it as an infusion, but those experiments proved fruitless. Just when I was about to give up, however, my sire came to me. She explained that she was gifted in ways I could not possibly imagine. And, well, she was. She was Kindred. Kindred of our House. She said that she had been watching me, and that I had potential. She then offered to give me her gifts, and if I accepted, she would reverse the downward trend of my family permanently." I smile bitterly. "I accepted, of course. How could I not? My parents and brothers were in despair, and my family's legacy was bleak. I wait to see it happen...and when it was confirmed by our test, that night, I felt fangs sink into my neck."
That was all well and good, Kursten thought. If he could leave it at that, he would. It would be a happy ending, he became Strigoi, and his family enjoyed a new lease on life. But...that wasn't his life, unfortunately. "From then on, I assisted my sire with her work with the USSR. I told you this already. However...work was a euphemism, I'm afraid. I was overworked to the point that even my capabilities as Kindred were strained, without being given rest. I was kept on a meager ration of blood, despite her having a stockpile." I sigh. "I was told to go hunting if I was hungry, and then given extra assignments and not to waste her time. I was used as a punching bag and scratching post whenever she was in a foul mood...after all, I got better. I doubt I would have gotten to summon and contract with Ravijojla were it not for her needing the magical abilities I have." I chuckle slightly, bitterly. "In general, fairly standard abuse. It wouldn't be inappropriate to compare me to a slave...I thought about returning home to my family, but she made threats against them somewhat often, so I stuck with it."
I press on, undaunted. Recounting that was unpleasant, but not terribly painful. No, what he had been steeling himself for came later...and soon. "Eventually, history took it's course. The wall came down. The USSR faded away. And while I was a useful servant, I was also a liability to drag along as she went to discover new locations to establish herself in. And so, I was discarded, and just like that, I had my freedom again." He could remember the relief he'd felt to see her gone, that had overshadowed his worry of what he was to do. It felt like it happened yesterday. "I did not know what to do...and so I did the only thing I could. I traveled back from the base of operations she had in Poland and made the trip back to Slovakia...home. To say my welcome was cold would be understating things quite a great deal." I don't try to hide the hurt I still felt. "While I do not regret becoming Kindred, to think they would ostracize me after what I did for them...I could never stop loving them, but they disappointed me greatly. My family was not one to renege on debts...and after I, the successor to the family's head and the one who had sacrificed for them to be turned out and attacked as a monster, well...it was not a pleasant experience to see that they did not hold the family's ideals as closely as I did.
I hold up my hands. "And then you see how you found me. Travelling country to country, trying to avoid contact with other Kindred lest my sire, newly established in some new location, 'gently remind' me of my past debt. For a while, it was about mere subsistence. Then, I wanted to find the Mage's Guild...but in Europe things were so much less open. I only found branches twice before, and both times I never got past the lobby. Unfortunately, appearances mattered more there than they do to you."
I smile at Ruby. "I hope my story was informative, at least. I don't expect it to be pleasant to listen to. If you wish further explanation, all you have to do is ask."
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Sept 11, 2016 5:31:39 GMT
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Post by Restkastel on Jun 12, 2016 8:30:22 GMT
As I listened to the young Kindred's story, I could only restrain my reactions and sit back, patiently listening to his whole story as it unfolded. His family's situation was not a unique one by far, that was for sure. Some of the mages I had trained with when I was preparing for the turning had joined just for that reason. However, red flags started popping up with how his sire approached them and said she had been watching him some time. It was like she was a predator of sorts, and it was rather bad that she had completely skipped bringing him back home to be evaluated and undergo formal training before turning him . It only got worse from there, and my fury towards his sire grew from being just about her violation of one of our core tenets to something more intense.
This woman....not only did she violate the rules of our clan, but she violated basic common decency, respect, and the bond between sire and cihilde. She was worse than scum, and I mentally made a note to ask her name and a general description of her when he was done so I could inform the house of her actions, and do something about it myself if they refused to act. After all, she had abused her childe, which was one of the worst things a Kindred can do in my opinion. The bond between sire and childe is much like that of parent and child, perhaps as a replacement for that bond, since due to our condition we could never have that. She neglected him, outright abused him, and coerced him into becoming Kindred without telling him what he was getting into. She was more a demon than a Kindred, and she deserved to be taught what it meant to violate these rules.
Mistress, I take offense to that. Not even a demon would abuse its own child without reason. That woman is worse than scum.
On that we wholeheartedly agree, Izodar. I apologize for making that comparison in haste.
Thank you mistress, now I think he is done so perhaps we should respond?
Deciding that I should just leave that be and answer the boy as my answer to Izodar, I cleared my throat and looked seriously at the boy and began to speak. "It is highly unfortunate that your family befell such circumstances, even if how they treated you in the end makes me feel they deserved every ounce of it. But I must say that your sire is the worst scum I have heard of being in our House, frankly. She did not have respect for the rules of our house when she turned you without going through the proper steps, she did not have respect for the bond between sire and childe with how she treated you, and she did not have respect for the basic principle of equivalency by not giving you what you needed in exchange for helping her. I would like to make the suggestion that you report her to the House for the atrocities she wreaked against you, Kursten, or at the very least tell me who she is and what she looks like so my sister and I can teach her a lesson and her reflect on her misdeeds," I said, my anger only showing in minute ways, keeping my face and voice as calm as possible, creating a dissonance between those minute signs and my general demeanor. "As for the behavior of the other guilds, I find it despicable as well, though there is nothign to be done. Magi in Europe like their pomp and circumstance and nothing we do or say will change it. It is like a plague in their very being that nothing will cure."
I decided to take a breath and turn the conversation in a different direction, lest I pop from my anger at how the young kindred had been treated. "With your story told, it is only right that I tell mine, however I believe I as well will start with some questions for you, just to give you an idea before we start," I said, looking Kursten deep in the eyes, as if trying to peer into his soul, "What would you do if you watched everything you knew and cared for was taken away from you slowly and painfully and you could do nothing about it? What would you do if you managed to survive this experience, and had nothing left but your life, and they could come back for that at any moment?" I gave a way a bit more than I intended, but I guessed his answers would be interesting for sure, so I decided that it was worth it, and waited for his answers before I started my own tale.
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Post by Smitejr on Jun 13, 2016 3:31:06 GMT
I hold up my hands, in an attempt to dissuade this line of thinking. I hadn't expected Ruby to be the emotional type...and, being fair, she hid it very, very well. But I could see near-imperceptible tensing and other telltale signs of restrained anger. It was a talent born from necessity, it gave me precious moments to prepare for one of my sire's rages. When she begins to speak, I could tell what was happening immediately. "Please...while I'm thankful you share my opinion over what occurred, the past is of no consequence. It is better left buried...if for no other reason than the fact that finding her would be near impossible."
I fold my hands over the table. "She has never once said her name to me. Once, she called herself Anya, but as soon as I parsed her papers, I found out that was a pseudonym. In official correspondence with the Russian government, she was 'Agent 81409.' In private correspondence, I would call her sire." I, for what had to be over the ten-thousandth time, rack my brain to try and fine something more about her identity. "She had short black hair, and red eyes. She was tall, somewhat muscular, and had a light scar over her left ring finger. Spoke with a Polish accent. Aside from that, I do not know." I shake my head. "I wish I could tell you more, but I do not know."
A bit of steel comes into my voice, as I add in one last bit. "Also, please do not disparage my family. Their unfortunate reaction to my state did not earn them the fate they were stuck in. Their fate was what led to it. Simply because they decided to act ungratefully does not mean I can simply accept slights against them." My family was something I held very close to my heart. They had treated me like a leper, but that did not mean they had stopped being family, even if I was the only one that thought that way. I shake my head. "I apologize, Ruby. I did not mean to speak to you in such a manner. It is a very strong-held belief, though." The last comment was much more congenial, and I shrug. "As you say, there is nothing to be done. I have been accepted eventually, and that is what counts. I feel I am in a good place now, thanks a great deal to your assistance. I will repeat myself in thanking you for it."
As she began her story, I smile as she echoes my start, and listen to her questions. I look back at her, not shying away from the contact, trying not to flinch as much as I can...I'm not fully successful, and it frustrates me. In any case, I answer about as well as I am able. "I would attempt to find as much as I could about whoever did this, and then pay them back in equal measure." My answer is without hesitation. It was only right. They would have harmed my family in that case, and that was something I could not accept. "I would do whatever was necessary to obtain the power I needed to escape and reverse that situation." I smile. "Then again, when that did happen to me, it was not a singular person's fault, except perhaps my family and my own. In your case, I imagine both were done by a single malefactor. Am I wrong?" I wait for her answer, clearly intrigued.
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Post by Restkastel on Jun 13, 2016 5:51:08 GMT
Listening to the boy's words, I took notes of everything he told me, just to make sure I remembered it all in case I did report it to the House. It was obvious I would not be able to find her on my own, but hopefully the House would be able to track her down from that information, it might take time, but I had faith in the connections we had throughout Europe. It seemed that hte boy still defended his family even after he was tossed out by them, which was admirable, but utterly naive, at least in my opinion. If someone betrayed the bonds of house and kinship, then what right did they have to be respected as such? No matter, I would acquiesce to the boy in this circumstance, after all, this was a matter of the past, and something I would let lie since he seemed to want to keep it that way, unlike myself. I simply nodded to the boy, letting him know that I agreed to what he was saying.
In response to my questions however, he gave just the perfect answer. I decided to give him full points, especially for making that last conjecture at the end, even if it was a slight bit off. "Very good, though that last bit depends on what you would consider to be a single malefactor. You see, the ones who took everything away from me were our ancestral enemies, the oldest foe of both mages and Kindred, the Church, though I think a smart boy like you might have assumed something like that given my questions and our previous encounter, right?" I said, trying to see if the boy had gleaned more than he had let on with his response.
However, I decided not to wait overlong for his response, and go straight into my story, after all, I wouldn't want to keep my own repayment for his overlong from him, "It all started when I was a young girl of only 12, on the fourth of january, 1923. I remember the night as if it were yesterday, my sister had been sent out to get fitted for clothes she was going to receive for her birthday on the 11th, and I was home alone with my parents, practicing my magic with them. It was nearing eight in the evening, when everything began to fall to pieces. Almost as if the perpetrators had been timing it, the front doors crashed in as the clock was chiming 8, and I could hear boots rushing up the stairs. My parents quickly stuffed me in a nearby closet and sealed it with magic after telling me not to come out or make a sound until everything was over. I did not know what was happening, I had not realized that we had any enemies, after all, our family was peaceful and our magic did not harm anyone," I said, as I continued to keep my eyes on the boy, though it would seem like I was not staring at him anymore, but staring through him as my mind fell back into the events of that day as I relived it once again, as I had many times before.
"That is when the executors burst through the door to find my parents holding hteir hands up in surrender, making it obvious they did not wish to fight them. This made no difference to the filthy dogs of the church, however. They jumped on them like feral wolves on a gazelle, and began their brutal murder. I could only watch on in horror and realize just how powerless I was. Not matter how skilled I was, no matter how much magic I had, I could not stop the atrocity going on before me. I was a weak, powerless child with no ability to change anything. I can hear the screams and begging for mercy coming from my parents mouths as if it was happening now, my father offering himself up if they spared my mother, who did not practice magic. This too, fell on deaf ears as they murdered them both. They then set to rounding up any and all magical tomes, tools, arma maga, everything of value to our house before dousing it with gasoline and lighting it on fire, leaving the corpses to burn," I said, still gazing as I was before, not quite totally there.
"As soon as I was sure the men were gone and I could stand the smoke and flames no longer, I made my way out of the house and ran with nothing but the clothes on my back and the sizable allowance I had from my family. In that closet I had resolved myself to no longer being weak, no longer being able to stop that sort of atrocity, and not being able to get vengeance for my parents who simply wanted to practice their magic in peace. We were mages who evoked spirits, only for peaceful purposes and never with any intent to harm others or the spirits themselves, but even so we had heard of the Strigoi, and how powerful their ability to channel spirits was. And I needed that power, so I made my way from the south of Britain to the Strigoi homeland over a period of a year or so, scraping by with what I could sell, my possessions, and what little money I could get from working and even thievery. Eventually I arrived there, ragged, tron, dirty, and looking generally like an urchin. But I had a spark of determination and hatred in my eye that pleased the Strigoi who I found, and the house took me in as a recruit. I quickly proved myself worthy, spending a few years as their top human acolyte before being granted the Embrace and admission into the house at the age of 17 by the man who found me, my sire."
"My sire treated me like his own daughter, always strict and harsh, but fair. He taught me everything I know about the arts of the Strigoi and more, shaping me into a proper Kindred. During the second world war he joined Thule and researched for them in exchange for blood and resources, much like you and I now are part of the Guild. I occasionally helped him with projects for them, mostly with translation of old tomes and other bits thanks to my language ESP which made me more useful in that regard than with my magic, sicne I was only a beginner who had recently bound her first spirit at that point," I said, pausing before continuing, "He sacrificed himself to make sure I could escape before the horrors arrived, and I spent a few decades after that constantly on the run from those who sought to hunt us before I made my way here when things became to calm down, once again beginning my research again in earnest," I said, finishing my tale, once again back in the present fully.
"So what did you think of my tale, Kursten? Anything in particular I might need to clarify for you?" I said, staring at the boy once again, inviting him to ask any questions he wished now that I was done.
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Post by Smitejr on Jun 14, 2016 7:52:30 GMT
I enjoy listening to her praise, but frown slightly as it continues. I hadn't thought Ruby to be the type to do it at all...but was she patronizing me? If I still had the capability, I might have blushed. That was not acceptable to me...I might be a newcomer here, but I had my pride. There was a difference between making oneself of use and allowing oneself to be trodden upon...and if it hadn't been Ruby, I might have said something I could later regret. However, I had grown to trust this vampire...she seemed to have my best interests at heart, and I was willing to believe that she hadn't meant any offense. "Of course. A 'single malefactor' could very well be an organization acting under a singular purpose. In fact, I would assume it would have to be, to overpower a skilled family of mages with even a bit of forewarning." When she goes on to explain that the actual culprit was the Church, I lower my eyes. "So they found you and decided you were worth the resources to eliminate? That's absolutely rotten luck."
The actual explanation that she began to go into only made it more depressing. While the actual happenings would have been different, I could have easily have seen my own life in similar circumstances...going out to get fitted for a new suit with my parents, then studying late through the night to make up for the expenditures they had taken on my behalf. And then everything would have fallen apart...on just another everyday, within the span of a second, a life could change so abruptly...it was very clear that I was totally hooked on the story and wanted her to go on, but I refrained, letting her move at her own pace. As she continued to explain...the more the inconsistencies added up, even this early on. If her magic didn't harm anyone, why did the Church single them out? Surely there were higher-value targets for them to spend their resources on. It was likely they were made into examples, but even still...eventually, I sigh. I thought I had learned already that the world rarely makes sense. "I hope I do not come off as offensive when I say I find your story quite relatable. It is something I could have imagined could have happened to me...might have, if the Church found us and weren't satisfied we would die off of our own accord."
The actual execution was the hardest to listen to, but I stare back at her without flinching as she tells it. Both to show that I was strong enough not to let tales of such pain and suffering affect me...and to try to bring her back. It was very clear that she was losing herself to quite a dark memory...and if I was going to have the temerity to count her as a friend, I would not be a substandard one. "Ruby." I speak, clear to try and bring her back. But it didn't work. She continued to all but breathe out the words, as she told of her journey to find the Strigoi. Slightly less arduous than my own...but I had the gifts of the Kindred already, making the trip far more equal...and quite impressive, coming from someone who would have been a child had not the world forcefully through her into it, cold and shivering. I sigh, trying to break in with a conversation that might snap Miss Boivin out of her reverie. "Perhaps I should have sought out the Kindred instead...though I only had the merest rumors. They seem better about accepting those who lost everything than the Mage's Guild...at least in Europe, at any rate." He left out his misgivings at the time, of his inwardly held belief, beginning to be proven wrong, that his Sire had been the norm, and not an abberation.
"And even one that worked with Thule himself had been an honorable and decent person. I didn't have anything else to go on, but it seemed I had let fear overcome reason in my holding myself apart from our family. What a shame." Anywhere in Europe would have been easier than crossing the ocean. That had nearly killed him. "Still, I rather envy the drive you showed. Perhaps I will find my own foe to fight in due time....however, I hope that doesn't come. Research takes priority...that's where my drive is." I smile. "But if you need help making animals who style themselves as butchers pay, I have said before that I am at your service."
As her story concludes, I shake my head. "Nothing further needs to be explained. Nor, do I believe, was the story necessary other than being interesting." I face her, looking serious for a moment, then smile. "It's not as if I could admire you more than I do." I look up. "I am far, far from a religious man...and who can be, considering our nature? But I do believe things happen for a reason. While your tragedy was full of great suffering and loneliness, things have summed up to end with you here, in this room, right now." My smiles closes into a grin. "Do you regret any choices you made? Or do you feel you even made choices at all?" I shake my head. "Forgive me, I am incorrigible. But I do find such choices highly interesting." Remembering the situation, I bow. "Thank you for taking the time to explain your own story to me. It is...nice to talk, even about things that might be better hidden." I glance down, embarrassed. "You even suffered through me waxing philosophical...I'm quite sorry."
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