I am still looking forward to going to Italy. I must think about going soon, if I wish to be back before the meeting in July. I wish to spend some time there...perhaps a fortnight, or a little longer. It would be ideal for Cosimo and Athena to come along, but I feel as if that may not be possible. I could attain a travel guide, or speak with the locals to find these beaches. Perhaps, another time with them.
I have downloaded all of Abel Korzeniowski 's masterpieces. I wish to learn to play the piano ensembles and the cello parts as well. The sleep deprivation tank is wonderful. I have used it twice since it has been set up. If I do not have many tasks for the evening, I find myself desiring to stay within it. Even if I do have things that I need to do, it is difficult to leave the comforting silence.
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
I will be leaving for Italy soon, as will Charles. A simple question turned into an offering of sorts, of the service of his thrall, then a suggestion of him personally coming. Research about our species from the days of old. I do not mind the company-it will make the flight more agreeable. We will be stopping in Germany for a layover, then continuing onward from there.
I have to think about what I can pack. I have to pack light, for Charles somehow took my statement as a 'dare' of sorts and suddenly we are seeing which of us packs the least amount of things. The wager is a new wardrobe for the loser, and I cannot tell if I wish to lose or win. Either would be fine, I think.
I bumped into Alaric the other evening in the abandoned sewers while I was dealing with business. He has changed. It is quite noticeable in multiple fronts. I feel slightly guilty for not having sought him out before our accidental encounter. I wonder if he is aware of the meeting next month, and if he is going. I shall ask him the next time in which I see-or speak with him. It may be important for him and his family. Perhaps, I should ask him to come with me. It is always good to see a friendly face when discussing potentially heavy topics.
I am doing better. I still spend some time in the chamber, but not as much as I had. I feel better grounded, having spoken with Cosimo. There is a kind wisdom to my childe, that I have not been privy to much this last year or so. But, I am glad for it now.
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
I did in fact, send Alaric an email missive in regards to the meeting in July. I have not heard back from him yet, which indicates that either he is not interested, or perhaps, he does not like conversing through email. When I return from Italy, I will have to seek him out, personally. Diederik knows what to do in my absence while I am gone.
Charles and I leave tomorrow evening. We have a layover in Germany for about half a day. This cannot be helped. I hope we find at least one worthwhile thing.
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
We have been in Italy for some time now. The flight there was interesting enough. I learned quite a lot, needless to say.
Diederik assures me all is well on the business front, the exception being a pesky hacker who is trying to steal data from my businesses. For what reason, I know not, but it will be something I deal with upon my return. And while I have heard from Diederik, I still have not heard from Alaric. I will certainly make it a point to seek him out when we return, perhaps there was an error in communication to some degree. Or perhaps he cares not. Only one way to know for certain is to seek the fellow elder out.
Italy is nice enough to visit, but I find it unlikely that I would desire to stay here for long periods of time. Unless absolutely needed.
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
Where could she have gone? If she is not here, then where? Is it possible there is another place in which we could travel and live without the potential of dying? She had known enough to come here prior to any of us arriving. It is possible that she is somewhere else before leading us somewhere else. Or maybe she will keep this location a secret. I would not fault her.
There is so much noise and interference in today's world. What if she had sent messages to Isabella again, or another within the city? What if I, and others had missed it due to all the static of phones, computers, televisions and every other thing that is electrically capable?
I miss my tank and the quiet in which it brings me. The piece of mind. Perhaps a fortnight is too long. I feel disconnected from what may be important. They say light does not make noise, but I can hear the whirring of the bulb when I flick it on within the bathroom. I have disconnected as much as I can, and removed the bulbs in the bathroom.
And still, things are broken.
I cannot even turn into a bird to escape it.
This is not the refuge in which I seek. We are trapped.
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
We will be back soon. So much to do upon my return. I may need to hire some security details for my businesses, or look into a better security system for the computers. Perhaps both.
I also need to touch base with Alaric. That will be my first order of business, as the fourteenth is quickly approaching. There are other things in which I wish to discuss with the fellow elder.
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
It is good to be home again. I had missed my tank. It is strange to admit to missing an object, but I had. Sometimes an absence of sound and movement refreshes me.
I plan on reaching out for Alaric tomorrow evening. Ask him to accompany me to the town meeting that Doc has called for next week. Two heads are better than one in aspects that may be political. I am still supportive of Doc in his endeavours, but have found that I have a few of my own that need to be addressed and taken care of, due to the Italy trip. Travel, may yet again be in my recent itineraries.
I have thought about Cosimo's words from a couple months back. He is right. I should be more open if there are opportunities that present themselves. And that in some scenarios and situations, perhaps things and people need to be ignored. I
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
Last night's meeting was interesting, and seemingly positive. Most seemed to want to improve human and vampire relations, with an outlier or two. Ripper is always good for making one think outside the box, that can be accredited to the man time and time again.
Alaric attended and was far more vocal than I expected. Then again, he has the most to lose or gain in this scenario, I reckon. If we do not improve relations with humans, what will become of his family-his human family? Will they always view him in the way they view him now?
There was something interesting, in which I am not certain anyone else picked up upon. The meeting was for the vampire community, yet a human was there. While she seems nice and intelligent enough, I do not know her. I suspect Alaric does not either. Who is she? What I do know is that I have seen her with Doc a time or two before, and so that leads me to believe that he had personally invited her. So, who is she to Doc? And I would have liked to have known that the event was open to humans as well, for two reasons.
I suppose it matters not, for it seems the direction in which the majority wish to take is agreeable to me and so I will leave it within their younger, more capable hands. Doc performed wonderfully last night and the turn otut was positive, so I believe the rest is up to him and those as eager as him to take the measures in which they desire in this scenario.
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
I have been pondering a return to Germany, even if it may not be wise. There are things to take care of...issues to be dealt with. But, how to deal with such a thing? How to change, or correct history and misunderstandings? Decades of lies, and hearsay and stories brought on by active imaginations? Such a thing would have never happened. I would have never done such a thing. It is unthinkable. Unimaginable. Simply, put...Impossible.
I believe I have been replaced, or terminated. I am not surprised, in truth. People believe due to my age and proper facade that I believe everything in which is spoken from their very lips. As if I am gullible, given my lack of desire to be like others. To be as they are; the ones born of this time.
I have never desired to be as they are. Or anyone. To desire such a thing would be to settle and lower my expectations. Neither of which I intend on doing ever again.
Now, what to do about Germany?
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
Germany it is. I have decided that I will be returning for a much longer time frame than the layover period with Doc on our way to Italy. Diederik believes I should let it be. Leave it alone, yet I cannot. I do not know why mere stories of hearsay upset me in such a way, but it does.
No, that is a lie. I know precisely why I am upset and have stated such time and time again. To which Diederik laughs, or makes light of it by comparing it to a game known as 'telephone.' One person tells a story to another, and another and another, until the original story has little to no value anymore. It is virtually unrecognizable.
Why does something from centuries bother me, when it is unlikely I would ever encounter the writer, or see Germany again, unless I take measures to do such a thing? I cannot answer Diederik in a way he could ever understand. No man would, or could. Yet I try and to him it seems fruitless to go to such means.
I may be a monster at times, but that is not the monster I am, or ever will be.
Why are you taking me through troubled waters, I asked? Because your enemies cannot swim, he replied.
