When In Italy

[Elizabeth]

A look was given to her and all she could do was return it with a kind smile. “I understand, Charles.” Elizabeth assured Charles in regards to no misunderstandings. It had taken her a few months to understand some things in regards to Charles, but she understood things much better now due to many of things.

Elizabeth took a breath into her lungs and held it there as he turned his attention to Cobb. She could not blame him; the younger generation knew next to nothing about the deceased elder that seemed unable to, or not wanting to return to Harper Rock. “Did anyone know Cobb?” Elizabeth started before she expanded upon her thoughts. “I knew of him and knew him well enough.” Her tone seemed to lack any emotion or warmth about the topic that it normally possessed. “What I know of him was that he was a traitor to our kind, and had tried to kill me twice. Once, he succeeded in a round about way, but when we returned, all of us met in a location to try and piece together things and he blew the location up. The intent was to send us right back where we had escaped from so that we could not create...generations that are now created.” Elizabeth waved a dismissive hand in regards to the topic, before continuing.

“Cobb was indeed the instigator to our demise back then. That is not to say that there had been no...incidents in regards to our kind to start the suggestion that there may be something more than human amongst the humans. Not to the extreme in which we see now, mind...but some had been sired then, in Harper Rock and though there are ten careful, there is always one careless among them that makes the most impact...like this...Pratt?” Elizabeth frowned suddenly thinking about the name. Certainly not Robert Pratt? “I am sorry, but are you speaking of Robert Pratt, or is there another?”

[Doc]

Doc nodded solemnly. “Yes. That Pratt.” He sighed in a long-suffering manner. Pratt was so full of himself, that he could not see that, less is sometimes more. But Pratt was forgotten as he thought on her comments about Cobb. Frowning, he tried to sort it out. “Cobb tried to kill you? Just after you had gotten free from the fade? So that the elders wouldn't spawn.” He said it aloud, though he puzzled at it. “What did he know? Or Suspect?” Pausing he felt he needed to justify what he was about to suggest, “Not that I believe anyone can see the future, but if one has delusions that they can, could it be he thought he was trying to avoid a specific future?”

Doc shrugged, “I know you probably do not know the answer to this.. But it defied rational explanation otherwise. A group of,’ he assumed a third person non-specific name for the elder vampires, “persons are suddenly freed and the first action of one of those freed, is lock them back up again. It isn't a credible or logical reaction.”

He gave her a glance, “To be fair,.. To play devil’s advocate as it were, Cobb’s idea to limit siring, is something we all could be more cognizant of. His execution of his idea was crap.” He thought for a moment, “And you are sure everyone that had been freed was all gathered together, when he attempted to assassinate them?” Doc silently wondered if there wasn’t another elder that Cobb knew of and was protecting. An elder that could even now, be hiding in plain sight. They merely had to say they had severed from their sire, and was alone now.

Could this unknown elder, if there was one, been behind the fall of the masquerade? An unknown face, with ancient knowledge, working against the masquerade from the very beginning. As he thought about it, it did seem that there had been several significant events that had led to breaches in the masquerade. The rift that threatened to tear the realities apart being one significant event.

After a moment, “So..how much time had passed, from the time they returned to the time Cobb to assassinate everyone en masse?”

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth nodded her head, then gave it some thought. "Within the same month...a week even since I had returned. Isabella had been back for a small while, as had Staus, and few others I suspect..." Elizabeth trailed off, then lifted her shoulders into a small shrug. "One cannot understand the inner workings of a man such as Cobb." Perhaps that was precisely the reason that Cobb had done such a thing and in truth, she could understand. "My sire had sired very few before we had been sent to the realms. Just tw-three. Three in hundreds of years. My 'sister,' had sired none that I am aware of, nor had I."

She glanced out the window of the plane, then sighed. "If he believed such a thing, then it could only be because of one-Chad Worthington." Elizabeth stated plainly. "Before everything happened," She paused, to make sure no one had been listening to their quiet conversation, "He had been a vampire but for a handful of days. Sired another. Upon his return...Well, one can find that information about the man themselves." She turned her seat a little, glancing around for the stewardess and raised two fingers, beckoning the woman towards them. "So, his fear, if that was what it was, was sorely misplaced upon the great majority of us. If one was the problem...why would the rest of us suffer the same scrutiny?"

"Yes?" A voice asked to the right of her, before Elizabeth offered the woman a warm smile."Does one have any bourbon aboard the plane?" She glanced to Doc, before adding on to her thought. "My friend is thirsty." The stewardess nodded her head, then disappeared. "My sister had not been there, but she had not escaped some time after...but let me think. Chad was there, Staus, Isabella, myself, Mircea, Amaranthia and Habren for certain...I do not believe Keara was there, but I could be mistaken. I rarely saw the woman, save once or twice." She trailed off, positive almost everyone had been there. "This work?" The same voice from a few seconds ago interrupted Elizabeth's thoughts, her eyes glancing towards the woman, then the small bottle in her hand. "Well enough." Elizabeth stated, before standing, climbing on the seat and opening the overhang above their heads so she may retrieve her credit card. After a quick zip of her bag, then a dig into her bag, a credit card was revealed and Elizabeth passed it to the woman. "Thank you." She claimed the bottle, then offered it to Doc while the woman passed the card back to Elizabeth. "All members in this section receive complimentary drinks; two being alcohol and however much soda, juice or water they would like." The card was given back to her, causing Elizabeth to shrug once again before placing the card back in her baggage.

"He failed, whatever his purpose or desire was. Some were wounded, myself included-but none of us had died that night." She found her seat besides Doc once again as the stewardess brought a plastic cup and some ice back with her. "Anything else?" She asked Elizabeth specifically, the woman shaking her head politely. "Since we are on the topic of...children, how many does one have?" Children was not what Elizabeth typically called them, but with the stewardess not far from them, she decided to keep things as 'normal' as possible.

[Doc]

“I for one am glad he failed in his endeavour.” He said just as Lizzie climbed up to get something from the overhead bin. He watched with appreciation as she stretched upwards. Had he known she was going after her wallet, he would have warned her she didn’t need it. But he was forestalled as the stewardess explained. He couldn’t help the closed lipped twisted smirk. Lizzie, the oh-so-proper lady, climbing like a monkey to get her wallet. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he accepted the bourbon, “Thank you Lizzie.”

After being handed the plastic cup of ice, he opened the small bottle of bourbon and poured it over the ice. He took a sip while Lizzie dismissed the stewardess. Her question took him by surprise. He pressed his lips together and nodded. It was a fair question. He had implied some were irresponsible sires, and that Cobb could have had the right idea, just the wrong execution. Taking another sip before answering, he canted his head to the side, “I have five.” a brief pause, “I did have more, but they have been lost to the fade. And to be fair, some of my choices, have not been.. Wise. But those particular ones.. Are.. no more.”

“The ones who remain are quality and strong of mind and will. My two youngest.. Leo and Dawnie..” He paused, “They wasn’t supposed to,” The stewardess was coming back by, “they wasn’t planned… per say.” He recalled being angry with Cytherea and going for a run, to burn off energy before he took it out on Cytherea. He had seen the jogger and he attacked. How she was turned, he never figured it out. But since that night, he stopped feeding from live humans. “Even now I am not sure how it happened.” He winked at Lizzie, as he was sure the stewardess overheard his comment, because she rolled her eyes. Doc knew Lizzie would understand his comment.

“I like them. They are all adults, and they are all so very different. All females too. Catherine, is my eldest. She no longer lives in Harper Rock. But I hear from her occasionally. Dominique, whom you may know? She was affiliated with St. James Church at one time.. which as you know.. Was nothing more than a cult. Thankfully I was able to free her from their clutches. She is doing much better now.” He paused, “Then there is Lennox, she is my mediator. She helps keep me sane, when at times I wish to kill someone.” He grinned, “She is a sharpshooter too. She is wickedly effective with a firearm.” Taking another sip of his drink, He gestured toward her, “And you.. How many rugrats do you have? And do you plan any more?”

[Elizabeth]

She could imagine he was glad Cobb had failed at his attempt to send them all back to the shadow realm. No matter his relation with his sire and their sire and so forth, without them, there would be no Doc the vampire. There would be very few to no vampires. So, one had to be appreciative of the fact, regardless of thoughts and feelings of their predecessor that Cobb had failed.

Five, but more before those five. Or during. It mattered little, just that he had more and they too, like hers had found the fade or had moved to other cities. “Well, those that I see at least once a year?” Elizabeth had to stop and think of those she had seen within the last two years. “Five as well, but I am still connected to eight. The others have either sought the fade or left and...” She didn't need to finish the thought, Charles was smart enough to know what happened when they left and died. “I believe that in these last six years, I have had twenty total, and five I have taken under my wing so to speak. Some of whom you know of.” Twenty sounded like a lot, but in the term of six years, it was less than four a year. Still, it was quite the increase in number compared to her previous lifetime.

“I do not believe I shall desire any more.” The woman stated flatly with a small smile and a raise of her shoulder. “Regan is my eldest that returns now and again. I believe he and his wife travel the world. Then there is Lisa, she finds herself lurking around, always arriving when needed. Strangely enough. Emily who...things are not as they could or should be between her and I. Ramsey falls more or less into the same category-that is my fault and then Cosimo. He has been the biggest help this last year and longer. He works with me within my bakery and offers sound advise as well. He is a wonderful salesman. Very charismatic.” Elizabeth smiled warmly at the thought of her childe and his antics. “Those that have remained or stay in contact have helped me in all the ways I needed, and more than I needed.” It was likely that Ramsey would indeed be her very last, which bothered Elizabeth little. Between Cosimo, Lisa, Regan and those she took in under her 'wing,' there was no need to have any more. No desire. “I would rather see those that I have sired, sire others.” There were a few reasons for that, but one of them was the feeling of restlessness. Six years was a long time for Elizabeth to remain within one place of her own free will.

“My desires have changed..or shifted, so to speak, and it would be unfair of me to have any more due to those desires. Irresponsible.” Little to anyone's knowledge, Elizabeth was not only going to Italy to only observe it as a mere sight seer, or a companion to Charles' research, but had thought of looking to escape from Harper Rock for a long period of time. A change of scenery, so to speak. Her businesses could be ran, much as Charles' were with his thrall, while Elizabeth traveled the entirety of Italy, or perhaps even the world. “And that is not a legacy I wish to leave behind.” She concluded, gaze dropping down to the ice within his drink and the way it started to cause a vapor around the cup as it condensed. "And you? Have you the desire to have any more?"

[Doc]

“I didn’t plan the last two.. They just sort of happened.” He recalled thinking Leo,.. who was really Leona, looked just like Cytherea from the back, so when he attacked her, he was rather surprised to see it was Cytherea. His rather lame, ‘oh.. My bad’ didn’t cut any ice with the now livid Leona.. Who was also as Doc found out a moment later, a paladin. There was much gnashing and grinding of teeth, when he realized he would have to kill her and get rid of another body.

It had been a fierce fight, that had spilled out of the Handle Bar, into the parking lot. Finally after choking her out, he thought he was done with her. Intending on taking the body to the lab, and incinerating, he was forestalled because there were too many people milling about in the area. So he used his backup site. The cesspool from the abandoned water treatment plant. Having successfully dumped the body in the cesspool, he had headed home. He could still recall his own shock when a disgustingly repugnant Leona showed up.. Not dead at his lab. That memory alone, told him he did not want to sire again.

“The desire? At times I do. But then I remember one of my less than perfect ones.. And I think to myself.. No.. never again.” He shrugged and sipped. “But honestly… When I had purposely done it.. It was a rush of desire that I could not fight. Faced with that ‘desire’ again.. I do not know that I could fight that urge.” He swirled his drink absently, “I want to say some were a mistake. But, then again, that experience is part of me. And I would like to think that it has made me a better s” Pausing he changed the word, “..father.”

He grinned at her. “I was not the best.. Father, some could have. I demanded the spawn do as I say.” He gave Lizzie a look. “As I am sure you can imagine.. That did not go over well. I had to learn to let go.. And let them come to me.. When they,.. not I, .. figured they needed me. It was a hard lesson for me to learn.” he finished his drink. “I could they were about to make a mistake. Something that would cause them issues.. Or pain. But I had to let go. They would never learn if I bailed them out all the time. I am pleased to say.. Those that are still around.. Have learned I am not the ogre I may have appeared at one time.”

The captain finally turned off the seat belt sign, and Doc gratefully unbuckled his. The screen on the seat in front of him came to life as well. “Looks like it is movie time.. I do like movies.” he said as an aside, “I never had much time for movies and television as a youth. But now I find them quite entertaining.” He looked at Lizzie. “Do you like movies? My treat, I will get whatever you want..”

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth could relate to the methodology of siring and how to be a sire. It had taken her some time to release the 'reigns' so to speak, which may have been some of the problems the woman had in the beginning. And when she took a more passive role, that was less than pleasing too. Those who remained and desired to be part of her life in whatever aspect had come to terms with Elizabeth's more relaxed methodology and sought her out if they wanted, or needed to.

Elizabeth recalled that Doc enjoyed movies and that he even had a movie theatre within one of his homes. A suggestion of seeing a movie at that property had been made, and until now, had more than likely been forgotten about by both parties, simply due to life and other things. “That is something we have in common.” Elizabeth mused aloud as he spoke about never having time for movies as a child. Hers for a different reason, of course, but the comment was made regardless. “I---.” She stopped to think, trying to recall the last movie-or any movie in which Elizabeth had watched. Nothing came to mind. “I do not know.” Elizabeth admitted quietly, with an empty laugh to follow with that train of thought. “I do not find myself with many of opportunity to stay stagnant for long durations of time." The exception being her piano playing, reading and now her cello lessons with Meara.

“I have never viewed a movie.” Her tone serious as Elizabeth glanced at the screen. “The choice in which I make may be one that is less than enjoyable based on that fact.” Her blue hues shifted to the ice in his cup once again. “But, if there is something based on historical events, or a drama, those would be agreeable for me. So long as one can find enjoyment with either of those choices.” Her eyes glanced at the titles of possibilities after having left the empty stare at the ice within Doc's glass, not recognizing any of the names. She could search the internet, Elizabeth supposed, but that would take a great deal of time. “I apologize for my lack of knowledge on this matter—there are still some things in which I am not versed in.”

[Doc]

“You too?” He looked at her with an almost pleased look. “I saw my first one.. Just a few years ago. The Spawn made me watch it.” He paused, as he realized how that sounded. “And by the word ‘made’ I mean.. I agreed based on the provision that she would shut the **** up for 2 hours. For me .. it was worth the horrid experience.” He shrugged, “But, truth is .. I enjoyed the movie. It was a movie called the “Usual Suspects”. I had expected a very simplistic, overly theatrical performance. But I was surprised by the ending.” He gave Lizzie a knowing look. “Now do not get the wrong impression, not every movie is so well done. I have, unfortunately, watched some horrible movies. The only thing that redeems them.. Is that I was saved that 2 hours of awkward conversation with someone.” He nodded.

Doc looked at Lizzie, “They can be educating too. I have learned quite a few tips from them.” He leaned forward to say softly, “I saw this one movie that explained hacking. Yes.. I know.. Ariadne has tried to explain it to me .. time and again.. To the point I am sure she wants to shoot me. But this movie.. Explained in a way she never could.. What she does .. when she hacks. I do not recall the name of movie at the moment. However, after viewing it, I had that ‘ah-ha!’ moment.”

Looking at her, “I trust you will not tell her this. I would hate for her to think I was that oblivious as to what she was trying to inculcate into me.” Doc gave Lizzie a pointed look, “You will not tell her.. Promise me you will not tell her.”

At her impassive look, Doc changed the subject, “So.. Movie.. A drama.. That is historical.” He slid a look at her. “Normally I would suggest,.. ‘Gone with the Wind’.” He nodded, “But that is an American thing. I do not think you would appreciate it, as you were in the fade during that time.” Doc scrolled the movies that were on offer, “No, no, no, oh hell no, no, no,” He paused. He slid a look at Lizzie and grinned. “This one.”

Doc swiped the Lizzie’s screen with his credit card, and then swiped his own screen after he got the same movie. The movies were keyed up on both screens. He looked at her. “You may be well acquainted with this event.. I hope so. We can discuss how it differs from reality. It’s called ‘Braveheart’. A story about a man seeking revenge for the vile acts done to his intended.”

[Elizabeth]

The question startled her. What had he meant about 'her too?' Elizabeth waited for Charles to divulge more information-he usually did. When she realized what he had meant by the question, Elizabeth nodded slowly a couple of times. Yes, her too. More information was shared; the name of a title, his opinion on most movies and then the ending conclusion of the purpose of a movie. To avoid conversations and discussions. Something she retained away silently as Doc continued on about other types of movies. Educational purposes.

The mention of Ariadne was casual, as it always was which only had Elizabeth smiling. She had seen the woman once that Elizabeth could recall and had never conversed with her. Yet, Doc seemed to think that Elizabeth and this Ariadne would converse often or frequently, so much that she would share something against Doc for some reason unknown to Elizabeth. As if some sort of blackmail against him. “I assure thee that ones secret is safe with me. Nothing good would come from such an action in regards to your Ariadne. Rest easy, Charles.” In truth, the chance that Elizabeth would see the woman again was slim to none and if they had encountered the other, it would not be a conversation in which she would start or end with; if one was even to be had.

The movie 'Gone With the Wind' too, was tucked away for another time. Perhaps, if Elizabeth enjoyed movies, then she would watch it by herself. Things that had been missed by her due to the betrayal of Cobb were not dismissed so easily based on that singular factor. Quite the opposite. Elizabeth had learned a great deal about the twenties, thirties and forties upon her return. A look of triumph formed upon Doc's features as he found 'the one,' and she watched the process of purchasing a movie. More things to remember for later for the next flight she was upon.

When the movie started, Elizabeth sat back within the chair for a few seconds, before inching closer to the screen as she absorbed the opening scene of tall green hills and a large body of water. The identifying name of 'Scotland,' followed by the year, had Elizabeth casting Doc a wayward glance. He would find himself deeply disappointed if he asked her what was happening in Scotland during that time frame. Not even her sire could answer such a question. The names John Wallace, William Wallace and King Edward had been given at various times. The clothing lacked imagination and creativity of her time period-not that there was much more. But clothing was a little more tailored than it had been back then, and part of her wondered if Doc had thought this had resembled her human lifespan at any time; from childhood to young adult. Elizabeth could not help but laugh, believing now why it was Doc was so...forgiving or lenient of the things Elizabeth did not know of. Still, regardless of his perception of things, Elizabeth found herself in silence as the movie progressed for the next couple of hours.

[Doc]

Doc and Lizzie had watched the movie. He didn’t get the impression she was enamoured with it as he had been when he first saw it. Yes he knew it wasn't historically accurate, but it had still be entertaining. He rather liked the story of lifelong revenge. But from Lizzie’s reactions, he a feeling she was more struck by the inaccuracies than the story or anything else.

It made him idly ponder, if he was successful getting Vampires recognized as their own species and race, Doc could envision the academics that would love to have a question and answer session with them about their particular parts of history. Nothing like having first hand eyewitness testimony.

The rest of the flight progressed with little to no excitement. Doc managed to nap, only because he knew the time change could be an issue. Lizzie woke him, just as the ‘fasten seatbelt’ sign was lit. He rubbed his eyes and sat up straighter, glancing at his watch, wondering at the time. Less than a hour later, they were wheels down and on the ground. He was more relieved than he would admit, that they had a safe landing. Memories of the crash he had been in, seemed to well up. He shoved the memories into the dark recesses, and focused on the present.

Being in first class they would be able to deplane first. “Lizzie.. Let me get your carry on for you..” He handed her his tablet to hold in the meantime. Lizzie had stood and moved out in the aisle to allow Doc to exit the row and reach up for her bag. “I will carry this.” He motioned for her to precede him off the plane. Once they were out of the plane and in the terminal, Doc queried her, “Where to now? And I hope you speak German, because I do not.”