d'Artois: Events in Time

[Asteria]

‹Ash Shevon› [text] "Don't let Vi see that...she'll take offense. I asked her to contact you. I guess I should have sent an email instead, I'm sorry, I'm not very socially capable or technologically inclined. I've gotten so used to her voice in my head I've just...gotten used to relying on her."

‹Asteria› [text] I take it you're Ash? I've already emailed her back...Sorry, agaph, but I don't even like Lancaster in there unless needed. I don't know what... "technologically inclined" is, but I accept your apology?

‹Ash Shevon› Each step he took was quiet, the tome that Vi had finally handed over allowing him to warp right 'home' quickly.  Of course landing in a veritable crowd of unfamiliar faces hadn't really helped his confidence any and he'd stepped to the side quickly.  A slightly uneven exhalation escaped him and then he noticed the one person standing off to the side a little ways away.

He flipped out his phone and then frowned at the number that he'd dialed a little while ago, instead of dialing it again he simply sent another text.  He'd gotten a response from those at least.  His lips pursed into a slight frown as he stared at the screen after he'd sent it off.

[text] "Would you be so kind as to...tell me what was in it? She's...uh...a fiery, passionate individual and very sensitive when it comes to...matters such as these?  And it means I'm not comfortable contacting others, I'm not comfortable using a computer, I don't own a computer...and the only reason I have a phone is so Vi can call me on it via her mind..."

‹Asteria› Fiery, passionate... Asteria stared at the two words, and frowned, her foot absentmindedly tapping while her mind worked over what those could mean. “Fire” was close to “fiery,” but it couldn't mean the same thing. The first was hot, and the way he'd described her prior didn't fit the hot-vibe. Those who were hot wouldn't take offense to being told simply to text rather than poke around in some stranger's head. It was a common courtesy. “Passionate,” she didn't even bother touching, because it looked foreign, and the closest word she thought it looked like didn't fit anything at all that she was getting from the text.

Brows pulling together in a frown, she started to reply to him, having to think out exactly what she'd sent to Vi, when the email had been nothing more than a quick message, almost an afterthought. Though, as her fingers moved over the keys, she noticed in her peripheral vision movement. It wasn't a recognized movement, not something she'd studied from those she'd met from the family. Cyth was a false confident walker. Doc shambled. Lancaster was always hunched. And the rest she saw infrequently, but their airs were always the same: just this side of cocky, or quiet.

Rather than reply right off, her olive eyes meandered in the direction of the movement, brow quirking as her head tilted to the side in lazy fashion. Then, slowly, her fingers worked over the keys, pressing send, and waiting to see if he'd be the one to answer his phone. [text] “I told her you're welcome, but that poking in my head wasn't something I'd liked. Thought it'd be better to text next time.”

‹Ash Shevon› The vibration that moved through the small device almost had him dropping it, even as the screen lit up and then he was pushing buttons.  It took a tongue in cheek expression before he managed to get the flashing icon to open itself up and then he stared at the words, reading and rereading them and feeling some of the tension drain out of him at seeing them.  An actual sigh of relief escaped.  Followed by an almost smile and then he was replying.  [text] "Thank you...I appreciate it and I appreciate your tact.  You're right, there is no reason to be offended by that.  I will be more aware next time and when I ask her to contact others on my behalf I'll ask her to do it via the internet...or technology..."

‹Asteria› Seeing him answer confirmed who he was, her brow lifting in a more curious sense. Ash was...nothing like she'd expected, his overall appearance the complete opposite of Pi's usual cast of misfits and oddballs. And then came his reaction to her message, which she wasn't sure how she felt about it. Was it something about her that screamed “*****”? Or was it the general way people in Harper interacted? The latter wouldn't surprise her, so she merely shrugged it off and read his response. “I just think it's better when you don't know them, oxi?” she replied aloud, as he was in her vicinity now. “You never know who could take it...badly.” There was a light, congenial smile on her lips, head declining in a sort of nod. “I take it you're Ash?”

‹Ash Shevon› The voice was accented, wholly different from anything he'd been expecting and it pulled his eyes up away from the phone to the woman who'd been standing apart from the others.  He blinked a moment or two after she'd spoken and then nodded, "Yes..." he replied, "I'm sorry...I just...I hate seeing her cry...and...I didn't think before I asked.  If you could have felt the emotion in what she sent you would have felt the...gratitude I didn't think I was capable of expressing on my own."

‹Asteria› She shrugged, the gesture laid back, before tucking her phone in her bra and leaning more on the computer's desk, arms lazily crossing. “It's not a big, big deal, agaph,” Ast replied, following his line of thought, thankfully. “I just have a hard enough time thinking without someone else popping into my head. Not knowing the voice makes it worse.” There was a thoughtful pause, a hand reaching up to push her hair behind one of her ears and shift her bangs a bit more to the side. “And, I'm glad you didn't mind the ritual...I'd done it to get your fae name worked out for the family's grimoire, and that was the only one I could do without hurting anyone I cast it on. Not everyone was...happy with it."

‹Ash Shevon› "I know..." he agreed, "We've just had to handle...other miscommunications and its all weighing on us a little."  He nodded at her explanation and then he nodded, "I appreciate it..." At hearing she'd gotten his name and put it in the grimoire he frowned a little, a slight look of unease on his face. "I don't have much experience yet...I can't do very much..."

‹Asteria› That look of unease mirrored the look she'd gotten another when they'd found out about her endeavor, but it was needed. If something happened to the family, she wouldn't have to guess when casting a spell, and it'd save valuable time. Then again, she wasn't sure if it was due to his inexperience, or that she knew his name. “You do them, too?” she asked, tone conversational. “The only other one I knew was Robert, and he's been shoe'd.” Shoe'd...was that the word? It didn't sound quite right to her, but she couldn't think of the proper word there, so she left it.

‹Ash Shevon› "I haven't actually managed to 'do' anything yet..." was his clarification, "I know I have the capability to do it but so far nothing has...required me to attempt to do anything.  No one's come to me with a need.  I don't mind being on call, I just...I hope when the time comes that I'll be able to provide."  At Robert's name he nodded, but then shook his head at the word she used.  "Shoe'd?" he repeated, curiosity in his inflection.  "I know he was dead recently...and that Pi sort of...disowned him?"

‹Asteria› "Booted!" she exclaimed when the word came to her. "I knew it was some kind of footwear!" Temporarily proud of herself, there was a mental pat on the back, and then she turned to his remark. "You haven't tried the simple ones? The ones that tell you where things are to hunt down? That's where I started; The rest I just sort of...did. The only ones I did for a reason were Attuning Pi so she could make the tomes, and Turning CC when she attacked Aidan."

‹Ash Shevon› Ash couldn't help but laugh when she discovered the right word and then his smile returned.  "No...I haven't..." he agreed, "Could you recommend one for me? A simple one that I can practice with?"

‹Asteria› "Locate Enemy," she replied simply with a nod, before rummaging around in her pack for her own copy of the grimoire. Flipping open to a page, passed the plethora of scribbles in Greek, she hit one with the breakdown of it, and pictures of the items necessary. "You only need two things, and to know the name of what you're hunting. I can copy some down for you to try? Like zombies, or those hunters?"

‹Ash Shevon› "I would appreciate that?" he replied and then pocketed his phone, glancing over at the crowd of people and making a slight face.  "Do you see Eliot? I don't think I've ever met him before..."

‹Asteria› "Lancaster? He's the tall one who looks like a giant string bean..." came her reply, a grin pulling at her lips. "Head and shoulders above the rest."

‹Ash Shevon› Ash glanced at her at that description and then his lips quirked again, "Awesome..." Then he squinted and stepped back into the crowd, looking like he was heading straight for Lancaster to talk to him about something important. 

[Robert Pratt]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Robert Pratt: Robert let himself into the den with ease and looked around, safe in his invisibility the shadows afforded him. There were a few people standing around doing... whatever they were doing and he smirked. He wandered by the group of them and slipped his hand in all their pockets and managed to get some cash out of Doc's but the rest all seemed to realise he was there. Then he saw Aidan, sitting at the computer, and he felt pained. He missed her and felt a great sadness that he'd not been able to save her from this mess that called itself family. He silently walked up behind her and looked over her shoulder, trying to see what it was she was doing on the computer.

Aidan: The never ending raid ended, much to her annoyance, as she had just been able to work out a system with Ast. Now, she had the issue of being bored once more and at a lost with just what to do. No supplies to craft anything, nor the desire to go and get more, she instead was on Crownet bullshitting about. The wraith she wanted to learn from had not been found yet and she was not of the mind set to try and look herself. So, instead she sat there clicking through page after page looking for something that caught her eye. She felt a slight chill and rolled her shoulder as if something was on it, but otherwise was focused on the computer and the lack of fun it presented to her at the moment.

Robert Pratt: He saw her looking at CrowNet and saw her bring up the wraith location page, but quickly flick off it again as if what she needed wasn't there. That was then confirmed when she made no move to head out to any of the locations listed. He spotted a gaping pocket and something shining within it, so bent down to slide his hand in while he spoke. "You know, I could send my wraith out to see if she can find the guide you need if you like? I'm sure she won't mind."

Aidan: A stillness came over her at the words, her hand on the sword that had been set beside her to lean against the desk. “Or...I could cut your hand off and you will have to hand out those pamphlets with a stump,” she said with some humour in her tone, though her hand was indeed on the grip of her sword. “You know you are not supposed to be in here, right? In fact, you should not even have been able to get in here....” Aidan said carefully, as she wondered about Madison dropping the ball on what was the task she volunteered for.

Robert Pratt: He withdrew his hand from her pocket, not in need of a few coins that badly and chuckled. He drew a seat over and sat himself down besides her, dropping the shadows that concealed him to reveal his cheeky grin as he looked at her with a shrug. "I go where I please as a shadow, and there's no harm so long as I do no damage. I don’t' plan on taking the furniture, burning anything, slicing anything up - and I don't plan on doing 'it' any damage either. Not this time at least. I'm better than she is you see. Anyways - enough of all of that. I've missed you!" He reached out and took her hand gently in his, holding it and running his thumb over the back of hers.

[Aidan (DELETED 3366)]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Aidan: She smiled and just shook her head, “I get that, but you know it is just going to cause trouble. Though there has been a huge security breach that should involve a ***** or two getting fired.” She snickered and looked down at his hand holding her own then back up to him, “Of course you missed me, because everyone misses me and everyone wants me. It’s a curse really, think I was meant to be an allurist, but you know I am so damn good at killing ****.” A shrug was given and she casually withdrew her hand from his own so that she could rest her arms up on the back of her chair, “Really, though...why are you here? Snooping or just to piss off Pi?”

Robert Pratt: He looked a little hurt at the callous way she talked about everyone wanting her and how she should have been an allurist. So when she removed her hand he removed his too and sat back in his seat to watch her and answer her question. "It's a handy place this. It gets me from where I am to where I want to be in the blink of an eye. You really think that if I have the opportunity to save time and energy I'm going to pass it up just because some ***** has her panties in a twist?" He chuckled and shook his head. "Certainly not snooping, I don't give a damn what she's up to. Though it would be a lie if I said I didn't take some pleasure in knowing it will piss her off to know I've been here. But after what she's done to me - she owes me"

Aidan: “You have a point I suppose, this place is very damn useful,” she said as she looked over to the group that was a bit from them and then back to Robert. “Is it wrong I think she might wear the granny type panties? I can't see her in a thong,” she snickered.

Robert Pratt: He snorted and blew his cheeks out, pretending to vomit. "You've just given me a mental image! **** that! Give me something else, quick! I don't want to be picturing her wiggling about in her underwear!"

Aidan: "Lancaster wearing her underwear?" she said and grinned.

Robert Pratt: "Oh good Lux woman! You're evil!" He chuckled and shook his head.

Aidan: "I try," she smiled, and then sighed. "Unfortunately, you should go before people get pissed and **** gets thrown," her tone somewhat disappointed as she looked back toward the others.

Robert Pratt: He sighed and frowned. "I can take care of myself?"

Aidan: "I'd rather not dirty my blade with your blood?" she said with a frown. "I would rather not.... have to do something when you were good to me before.... nor do I want to see you hurt if it can be avoided...." she said with a shrug.

Robert Pratt: And there it was, her loyalties laid right out with no room for misinterpretation. She was d'Artois, and he wasn't - and she'd pick them over him every time. He sighed softly and nodded, standing up again and returning the chair to where he'd got it from. He walked back over to her side and reached out his left hand that was scarred with the Pi symbol to caress her cheek gently - all while he slowly faded out of sight again. "I'll leave then. I won't put you in that position." And then he was turning and silently taking his leave through one of the many portals.

[Pi dArtois]

‹Pi dArtois› Pi was leaving the situation with Reilly up to Elliot and he was dealing with logistics. She, was sitting at the computer in the portal room staring at the screen like the information there would jump out and bite her. She was concerned for Reilly. She wanted to know what the hell was going on and how in the hell did their banker get into something like this. Whatever that something was. And it made her think, about Jaeger and him being sent to the SR for bounty and Star and her young son and the other d'Artois she didn't talk to often. She hadn't temperature checked them in a while and she needed to do that. Soon. Especially their newly turned. Specifically their newly turned. Leaning back in her office chair she picked up her phone, checked the number posted on d'Artois crow and called the first on the list. Jacquiline. Stretching her shoulders, she reached back to scratch down the back of her shoulders, rolling them. The phone rang and she waited for Jacquiline to pick up.

* Jacquiline Jacq hadn't been doing much lately besides hunting and getting zombies. She understood the basics enough to survive and that was what she was doing. When her phone went off she was sitting in the apartment she had been staying at with Spike. It was nice a bigger place would be nice but she could deal. Of course being as old as she was and starting back at sqaure one was a bit challenging. Grabbing her phone she picked up. "Hello this is Detective Jones." It was an old habbit and meaning she still had people who thought she still worked there she had to hold up her cherade.

‹Pi dArtois› "Detective?" Pi blinked, as she registered that information, processed it then filed it in a place to pick at later. Or pick at now with the woman on the phone. Charles had turned a policewoman, and not any kind of policewoman, but a detective. With a sigh Pi reached up and rubbed the place between her eyes, massaging the tension that popped up there like a stress jack in the box. France coloured her tone with visions of close streets and the cobbled paths of Montemarte. The steep walk of stores whose wares flowed out onto the street, seducing you to spend money as you passed. “Doc turned a police person?” she asked with no preamble, which was her way. “Bonjour Jacquiline.” She finally clarified. “Je suis Pi.” She finished, dropping for a moment into her native language.

* Jacquiline Smiled as she realized who it was on the phone. "Hello Pi yes I am a detective, but I can explain how all of that happened if you like." She imagined being a cop and a vampire was not a good thing. Of course she wasn't exactly the up standing detective she should be and that didn't bother her as much anymore. She could still see her old partner, she figured it was her mind telling her what she had done was wrong. But now that she had been turned her mind seemed to be taking a drastic turn and her hallucination was gaining a mind of its own.

‹Pi dArtois› “Oui.” She answered. “That sounds like a very … good story.” Leaning back in her chair she tilted her head back and smiled, staring at the ceiling above her head. Spinning on her chair she pursed her lips. “aaaahh… I want to try something.. if you don’t mind.” Standing, Pi paced, liking the idea she had and letting it develop and then come right out of her mouth before she could change her mind. “You somewhere… private?” she asked. Pi needed to make sure that she was nowhere public. Summoning a person off the street was probably not a great idea.

* Jacquiline Hearing Pi she smiled as she listened to her. Then came her question she found it odd and couldn't imagine why she would need to be somewhere private, perhaps there was something important to discuss, of course she didn't know what that could have to do with her. Regardless she answered her question. "Yeah I am alone." Her voice alone would give way that she was slightly confused by the question.

‹Pi dArtois› “Excellent.” Pi stood still and closed her eyes. Clenching her hand into a tight fist against her jean clad thigh she slowly unclasped her slim fingers, willing the power to flow, feeling it slip along her fingers, down her arm. She didn’t really need the close her eyes or any other gesture in hand or body but they were focus points, a way to connect the act with her intention. This had failed on Reilly and she was practicing, because she’d be damned if she’d have a power lie dormant for so long, that she forgot it again. It had done it for walking in the Shadow Realm and now this. This time Pi held herself still and this time, she felt the shift in the air, the opening of the rift and the pull of her power. When she opened her eyes, the tall dark haired police detective stood in front of her. Pi, used her thumb to turn off her phone. Her smile was angelic. “Bonjour Jacquiline”

* Jacquiline It was an odd sensation something she didn't even know how to explain. Looking around confused and off balance she took a deep breath trying to calm herself trying to understand. How was this even possible. A part of her felt like she would be sick, it was a very diorienting feeling she had. Looking at Pi finally she furrowed her brows. Her hands slid in the pockets of her suit jacket. She wore a pair of slacks that matched and a white button up shirt. "Ummm Hi Pi." She said to the woman as she looked around the place. "How uh... well how on earth did I get here?"

‹Pi dArtois› Pacing away Pi spoke with a grim smile. It had worked on Jacquline, but it hadn’t worked on Reilly. Why. She didn’t know why and for a moment she stood on a precipice, wanting to try again, this time on the male they had lost to bring him home. But she couldn’t. All power had a cost and the cost drained them all. Summoning was a big tax on her effort and she needed to conserve. No, she’d talk to Elliot first and they would decide together how to proceed. First though, Pi spun back around, her eyes taking in the woman. Looking at her now, not only as a new vampire, but one that had a career in enforcement. Despite the change that sort of occupation required hours of work, attention to detail and some focused training. It could, very well, come in very handy. Pi filed that piece of information away for later too. “Powers… we have them, and so will you one day. As you get stronger, you’ll gain more abilities like this one. Maybe even, this one itself. It is how we grow and how we develop. It is also how you know how strong the vampire you’re dealing with is.” With a self deprecating shrug she sat back down at the computer, staring at the screen and the hacking scripts there. “I have … been around for a while. Some of what I can do can be… quite handy.” She smiled again. “Like you"

* Jacquiline Looking at Pi a look of confusion was still one her face. Regardless she knew how to take things in stride and take whatever life threw your way, that had been her MO for a long time now. Listening to her she furrowed her brows. So people had powers well that wasn't to hard to believe seeing as she was a now vampire, but hearing her tack on like you she looked at her curiously. "What do you mean?" She asked as she tried to understand what she met and what this was all about.

‹Pi dArtois› “You’ll find out as you gain your powers.. it’s a slow development and it’s hard to remember when it wasn’t possible for you do to do things like what I just did.” She grinned good naturedly then. “So, this story about the police detective turned vampire? I bet it’s a good one. I’ve been sitting here looking at these scripts Reilly made me. I’m not sure why really. He made them for me and I’m awful at using them but since he’s missing it made me feel good to sit here and try… know anything about computers?” Pi asked, waving a hand at the screen in front of her.

* Jacquiline Jacq smiled to Pi and nodded to her. "I know my way around a computer as for being turned well Doc caught me doing my side business. I don't really follow the letter of the law needless to say. I was an assassin for hire."

She took a breath. "Needless to say Doc caught me."

‹Pi dArtois› Pi blinked at this information, her face a mask as she registered this too. Pushing herself away from the computer she waved the woman forward and stood, freeing up the chair. “Doc has a way of catching a person out.” She said with a hint of a smile. It seemed to her that their kind bred this same sort of career path. Pi had been a killer, always was. She was just as prone to easy violence as many in this city. She had started a killer, but she was being tempered by the city and now, rarely used those skills. "See if you can make sense of all this. Reilly...." she paused at the mention of the quiet telepath and then carried on. "is way better at creating these scripts than I am at using them.” Giving her more space Pi kept talking. “Your sideline.. business…. Illegals?” Pi asked, getting right to the point.

[Jacquiline (DELETED 4601)]

‹Jacquiline› Taking a seat at the desk she looked at the screen and the different scripts. They were different from what she had used before but she was able to figure them out. Looking up to Pi as she heard her next question she wasn’t fully sure she understood. “Well pretty much I kill who I am paid to kill, there are cases I accept and ones I deny, I don’t make that decision until I have seen the one they wish dead first. I don’t enjoy taking an innocent life but I have and I am not very proud of that.” She knew this was more information than she liked giving to anyone, but for once she felt like talking. It was a rare occasion. Her fingers typed on the keyboard with ease and knowledge as she looked through the scripts understanding what their use was. “Is there something you would like me to hack?”

‹Pi dArtois› Pi stared at the screen. “I only ever do it looking for source codes for Reilly. It helps him… and I save them for him. The rest I sell, give to the family bank.” Pulling up another chair Pi sat beside the woman, watching her work through the screens with a skill Pi had never shown. Pi could do it, she couldn’t do it well or have any real flair. She was a slow plodder and got distracted by other things and was locked out of systems more than she managed to download anything. The scripts Reilly made her helped, and it was those more than her own ability. “The family sometimes needs help… in that area. Vampires are a little harder to… find or … hurt. But it might be something we ask you to do. Maybe sooner rather than later if we find there are people involved in kidnapping our banker.” Her gaze turned glacial, she lowered her lashes to cover the expression.

‹Jacquiline› Looking up to Pi away from the screen for a moment she nodded. “Well I can hack and would be willing to help any way that I can.” She paused as she glanced back to the screen. “I can look for source codes and what not, shouldn’t be too difficult but could take me time till I learn this system a bit better.” She nodded briefly to her. “Who is our banker?” She was curious to find out what was happening of course she knew she wouldn’t know everything not so soon, but she showed initiative in what she was doing. Of course their systems were a little different so there could be a few more steps involved for her until she found the back doors and ways around things. With the right programs though anything was able to be hacked you just had to know how to do it.

‹Pi dArtois› "Reilly." Pi answered, watching the woman move through the screens for a little longer before sitting back. Jacquiline knew what she was doing, that was obvious. More than Pi, was more obvious. Reaching out Pi tossed the scripts she owned onto the table for Jacquiline to use. "Here... try these, Reilly gave me the V6s and the Mapper... they help. A lot." She said quietly. " I don't have an Decrypt script though... Reilly is a wizz with this but I'm sure he'd be happy to share... " Just talking about him reminded Pi that he just wasn't around and she closed her mouth. Her jaw clenched.

‹Jacquiline› There was tension she could tell just by the body language alone. Of course she wasn’t sure if she should ask or not. Looking at the scripts she smiled and nodded to Pi. “Thanks” She said as she fumbled through them and input the codes to use so she would be able to show her she could very well hack. “Well thank you I appreciate it. Without decrypt certain files will be inaccessible but that is fine, that is more for sensitive documents. Having two hackers can be good takes some stress off of one and allows for better results well more I suppose.” She said to her as she began to hack into a basic program looking for the files.

‹Pi dArtois› Pi nodded, and got out her phone, sending a message to Reilly. She sighed deeply as she did. "I'll cc you in on this note to our banker... but he's... gone missing. Elliot is looking for him. Once we track him down I'll send him your way with scripts just for you.... just like the ones that you’re using of mine, he's really good at what he does. We’ll get you scripts of your own and maybe even a better Mapper, I love mine.” Giving the woman a long considering look she then asked. “Maybe… you can help Elliot find him, use your contacts, see what you can find. Vampires are different, and sometimes it takes… powers to find us. But it could be worth a shot?”

‹Jacquiline› Jacquiline had finished her hack handing over the scripts back to Pi. Looking up she listened to what she was saying. People missing was never a good thing, vampire or not and she knew that. They were some of the hardest cases she had experienced in her time. Regardless she wanted to be an asset and could do some digging. “I can see what I can find, see if there have been any rumors or anything of the such.” She said as she looked at Pi. “Not sure what I will find but it is worth a shot, I have someone at the department who owes me a favor anyways. So I promise no names will be put into the system.” She could imagine the less attention from humans the better.

‹Pi dArtois› Pi smiled, and it lit up her face. Blue eyes flashed quickly as her countenance brightened. "That,… merci oui, that would be excellent. He is… precious to us.” Pi stood,
her smile slipping easily into a grin at the words and how much of a weight fell of he shoulders at more help in finding their lost family member. “Come, I’ll show you around our… portal room.” She offered. Opening the desk draw Pi drew out a keycard and handed it to Jacquiline. “Here, is a key.. to this place. Doc will let you know… this place is very… convenient.” Stepping away she pointed out different parts of the portal room as she went. “Each portal heads to a different part of the city and some, to private residences. You have a key for this room and for the complex, which are open to all d’Artois. If you remember, in the meeting we were discussing closing a portion of the portal room off to the new members? This would be the part that would be restricted once we change the location of these portals. But for now… for now you can.. use them at you discretion. Do you know how a portal works?”

‹Jacquiline› She listened to Pi as she spoke following her around. Taking a slow steady breath as she paid close attention to all the details, nodding as she made the comment about last nights meeting. She remembered fully what had happened there. “Alright, and no I have never used a portal before.” She said to her honestly, apparently she would be saying that a lot now, she wondered how much in life she had actually been blind to up until this point. Of course she was dead well sort of she didn’t fully understand that but she was working through it and processing it.

‹Pi dArtois› Nodding Pi walked to the portals for Lancaster's "We have both kinds of portals in this room, one way.. two way. Pretty much means exactly what you think. Some just point out.. and some allow you to come back into the portal room. We'll take this one here... .to the bar Elliot and I own... called Lancaster's in Redwood." she spoke easily, talking to the portal then swinging through knowing she disappeared without a trace and hoping. Well, Jacquiline would have to learn by trial, error and blind following. Like now, with Pi walking through a wall.

‹Jacquiline› She watched Pi with curiosity she had never seen anything like it before. She followed Pi through the portal curiously. She felt sick again it was all disorienting to her; well she had never done anything like it before so it was all a bit overwhelming to her. She figured it would be that way for a while, probably a long while. She wondered how long it would be till she felt more normal. Stepping into the bar named Lancaster’s she looked around amazed at how easy this all seemed. “Wow.” Was all she managed as her mind tried to catch up.

‹Pi dArtois› Pi smiled and showed her the rest. The complex and all of the two way portals, especially the one to the QZ which was the one the new vampires used the most in the beginning. They talked about the family, and Pi gave a brief overview of most of their family. Asteria and Aidan, who Jacquiline had met, along with her and Elliot, Doc (although not all of the history there) and then briefly talked of the others in the family. Pi didn't really expect Jacquiline to remember it all but she knew how important it was to know, or be informed. And they shared something of their lives. Pi talked of Paris and growing up there, although, she didn’t mention the foster homes. Jacquline talked on her police work and together they talked about how she could hack and help the family, her connections and… just being vampire. It reminded Pi about what it meant to be new to this life. She had forgotten how different it became the older you got, the more used to being a vampire you became. There was an insulation you donned when dealing with the supernatural, a suspended belief and Pi liked having her stripped away and realising that a new vampire like Jacquiline needed a grounded base to grow from. She’d have to talk to Elliot and to Doc. Hell, she needed to talk to more of their family period.

[Aidan (DELETED 3366)]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

Aidan:*text*Feeling better today, Gramps?

Doc:[text] Better than what?

Aidan:*text* Yesterday? Or are we still pissed about that meeting?

Doc:[text] i wasnt pissed, I was frustrated. ******* Elliot has to make a ******* issue of everything.

Aidan:*text* Yeah that does seem to be a trend. Not even sure how it just escalated to that point.One minute we are talking, then just....

Doc:[text] I said I wanted time. And he was all 'decide' now.

Aidan:*text* I am not even sure why we had to decide on anything. I thought it made sense what we said about the young bitches earning their spots.
*text*Speaking of which I am going to break something on that Cat *****.

Doc:[text] Shes a little spitfire isn't she.

Aidan:*text* Yeah. But got to break something to keep my promise. Got a rep and ****, bitches need to respect lol

Doc:[text] You should take that up with her.

Aidan:*text* Plan on it. With my fist then wait to see what she has to say.

Doc:[text] was that what you wanted to talk to me about?

Aidan:*text* No. I honestly missed our chats.

Doc:[text] I am sorry.. I have been .. 'working' on a side project.

Aidan:*text* That part of the whole....I can protect my own thing?

Doc:[text] No.. want to meet? I will tell you about it. *he wasn't going to hide information that she could use.*

Aidan:*text*Sure.

Doc:[text] woods by the water treatment plant?

Aidan:*text* That's a familiar place. lol Sure be here in a sec.

Doc:Doc was becoming at home in the woods, than he would have ever thought. Mostly because it was secure. Although it would look strange to anyone he did happen upon in the woods, being dressed in a suit. Quite strange indeed. But he had a cover story for that just in case.

Aidan:Celerity, how she loved the power. It truly made her a lazy one with how quickly she could travel. Better than any car or other form of public transit. So, it only took her a moment to return to the place she and Doc had shared a conversation some time ago. With her hands tucked into her pockets she walked about in search of the old man.

Doc:Doc located the spot where he burned a couple of bodies. From a casual glance someone might see that there had once been a fire, but nothing screamed a body was burned here. He was pleased. Though he probably would not use this spot again. Even though it was convenient, he didn't like to be predictable.

Aidan:"Hey Gramps," she spoke when she spotted him. "Do you have like an underground lair or something set up here? Like some super villian?" she teased though she went to stand beside him.

Doc:Doc smirked, she was teasing, but he actually did have an underground 'lair' of sorts. Not that he would admit it, because then its not a secret lair anymore. "Perhaps I will look into that.. could become quite useful after all." He shoved his hands in his pants pockets. "What I have been working on, would risk the masquerade if over heard by humans.. so I knew you knew this spot.. so that's why I chose it."

Aidan:"Of course, it was like our bonding moment here. With the smell of burnt flesh and sewage, it could have almost been a date. You know, if you were not old broken and well own a dick," she chuckled. "But, what are you doing out here?"

Doc:Doc shook his and laughed silently at her verbal jab, 'wench'. "Nothing tied to this spot. This is just convenient. I've been doing research on the Paladins."

Aidan:"Paladins? The naked tattooed bitches that be roaming about?" she asked just to be sure she was on the right track.

Doc: "Yes.. those. No one has ever said to me.. 'oh Doc.. by the way.. do you know about Paladins? Let me educate you..' So I set about educating myself on them. I know what their tattoos look like. I know about their leader.. and I am currently trying to find out more.."

Aidan: "You know all of that? How did you manage to know that?" she asked now more than a little intrigued. "I mean that is something that a true hunter would never give up easily...so how did you get that information?"

Doc: Doc rubbed his chin, and shrugged. "Dammit I have been ******* social for a change.. it wasn't easy..but I ******* did it." He paused, "And .. believe it or not.. ******* Elliot helped.."

Aidan: "That i am shocked at, well all of it really. You being social and Elliot helping with that...." she shook her head. "The end is near, I can feel it in your old bones," she smirked. "No...but really, who did you get to talk to you?"

Doc: "Well Elliot took Spike Paladin hunting.. and she" he grins proudly, "Harvested the tattoos for me. And I met a guy named Wendell who was an ******* encyclopedia on them..and couple of others."

Aidan: "I never thought to learn much about them, mostly I just kill them and call it a day. Or at least try to kill them..." she growled at that last bit. "Are there enough of them to be an issue? I mean are they actually organized?"

Doc: "Yes they are organized. Their dead leader was Ezequiel Valetin. He was the one behind the attacks on you and Elliot not too long ago. They routinely meet and they are recruiting."

Aidan: That earned another growl. That time in her life had been the worst....such fear and worry about not being safe or feeling safe. "Do you have a rough number? Know where they meet?"

Doc: "That I don't know.. but I am working on it." He didn't want to tell her that he was actively hunting for a Paladin to capture and torture, because.. the less that knew.. the better. And some people just didn't have the stomach for torture. ******* wusses.

Aidan: "When you know I want in on whatever happens to them...they made my life a living hell. Endangered people I cared about....they will pay for that..." she growled again. Her temper quick and hot at the thought of all that they had done to her.

Doc: Doc nodded. "IF and when the time comes that we learn of a location.. you're definitely in. but I can't promise it will be soon, or that we will be successful in getting the information.. only time will time."

Aidan: "If I can help, let me know. I don't want them to have a chance at even starting what they had done before."

Doc: He nods again, "Yea, that's sorta the plan. Their tattoes.. are fae symbols,..those are usually not in plain sight, but they also have christian symbols as well. So if you see christian style tats.. be wary. They arent just in the sewers.. the ones they recruit are live inthe city."

Aidan: Again it would seem that her faith would be used against her in this world, "Alright. I'll see what I can find out and report back to you. Sure I can have a better time at socializing with people than you and well, I'm sexy. People want to be close to me," she winked at him.

Doc: "Wench.." he shooks his head.. "Ok Sexypants. you do your thing and see what you can find out..stay safe"

Aidan: "Damn right my pants are sexy! You know how hard it is to pour myself into them everyday? Pretty ******* hard. I stress the hard and ******* part," she smiled. "You stay safe too old man, I don't want you to do dying on me. Ok?"

Doc: "Aw.. and here I was hoping for the kiss of life.. oh well.."

Aidan: "More like of death kiss, my kiss would kill you. Too hot for you to handle," she smiled. "But I would try my best to save you just so that you know."

Doc: Doc smirks, he wanted to dare her, but that just might get them both in trouble they didn't want. "Lets just hope it doesnt come to that..."

Aidan: "Yes, lets. Take it easy, Gramps. Don't wear yourself out with all those women you have running about," she teased then turned and began to walk away.

[Asteria]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

‹Asteria› Staring at the text, it took her a bit to figure out what she wanted to do. If she met with Pi in the portal room, it wasn't nearly as secure as she'd have liked. Anyone from d'Artois could walk in and hear what was being said, which left her a bit wary as it would likely come across far worse than she'd have liked. But...if that was where Pi was, that meant she could talk to her right then and there, no playing phone tag, and could get what she wanted said, and her questions answered; The sooner was always the better, in her mind, so that seemed more opportune than not. Rather than reply, she used her tome to pop up in the portal room, spotting Pi's form to her left and hastening over. “Thank you for agreeing to meet me, Pi,” she greeted the woman with a tired sort of look, the hint of a smile there, but by no means prevalent, not with what she had in mind to talk about.

‹Pi dArtois› Pi looked up from the computer, and smiled distracted by her recent meeting with Jacquiline and the message she'd sent to Reilly, knowing, right now Reilly wasn't going to get it and waiting on Elliot to come back to her about how the search went. "Bonjour Asteria." she greeted, spinning around in her chair and giving the woman her full attention. "Anytime Asteria. You know that. I'm here if you need... is there something wrong?"

‹Asteria› “I'm not sure if...wrong is the word...” she replied honestly, leaning back against the wall as her hands buried themselves in her pockets. Talking wasn't something she normally liked to do, opting to avoid serious situations as much as possible as it felt like that was all she ever had nowadays, but this wasn't something she could skirt. It was something to be approached head-on, and get it off her chest. “It's...more of a concern, I guess is the word I'm looking for. Wrong may fit it, to a dot, but it's not that completely, I don't think.” There was a pause, eyes dropping, lines in her forehead becoming more prevalent as her brows pulled together in a frown. “It has to do with Madison, actually. I know that this may not come at the best time, but it was with this Reilly thing that I noticed it more than usual and I wanted to dress it.” Dress...was that the word? came an uncertain thought. No...I don't think it is...but what is the right one? A mental shrug later, and she let out a sigh hoping that Pi would understand what she meant.

‹Pi dArtois› Since english was a second language for Pi she never corrected Asteria. She had learned the fine art of listening, deciphering and then reading between the lines to figure out what was being said. And to her credit it’s not that Asteria was difficult to understand so much as she sometimes got colloquialism backwards and who wasn’t guilty of that. English was an awful sort of language, full of contradictions and imperfect sentence structure as if the language purposely turned back on itself to make it hard to understand. But Madison isn’t the topic she thought would be raised. The family had so much going on. Pick an issue and d’Artois was in the middle of managing it. Missing persons. New construction build. Crazy stalker types who shot at a person multiple times and new vampires who needed guidance. “What happened?” she asked, sitting back and giving the woman her full attention.

‹Asteria› “Well, I know you already know about Reilly, after what you posted for the family, oxi?” she began after a moment's silence, not quite sure how to explain it. “Lan, Aidan and I went to the mausoleum to figure out what happened, and Madison was there. She hadn't even bothered to try to go to the meeting...and I think I know why...” Another pause, brow furrowing in a bit more. “I'm not the sort of person to think everyone needs to get along; for this...peace, love and happiness that some feel is the only way. I don't think that people can't not agree about topics. What I do think, though, is that diff-...” Her word cut off for a quick moment as she waited for her mind to catch up with itself, not sure on the word. “...-erences need to be put aside for the good of everyone. The saying is 'the good of the many, more than the good of the few' or something like that, nai? Madison doesn't seem to be able to do that...She avoided the meeting, I'm almost negative, that it was me and Aidan. She twitched when she saw us with Lan trying to help Reilly. She can barely make eye...er...”

Her hand rose, fingers pointing at her eyes and then at Pi's as another word escaped her. “How can we, as a group, expect to do well with things like this when people can't not look away from things?"

‹Pi dArtois› Pi sat, watching Asteria’s face. English was such a struggle for the other woman, some of the sentence structures she used were confusing and Pi fought to understand what she was trying to say and followed the thread of her concern with difficulty. She did in the end catch the drift and wasn’t surprised where it finally ended up. Pi was a people watcher. She did get involved but she watched and she listened and she had been getting better at getting involved but it had been a slow progress. She had watched the posts between Madison, Aidan and Asteria and wondered at it, at the sheer animosity she read there. On both sides. She hadn’t got involved and still didn’t want to. “I have seen on crow, and you think that is the reason she didn’t come to the family meeting? If that’s the truth, what do you think is the best way to deal with it… or help the situation?” Pi asked, wondering, since Asteria was a part of this issue, whether she had thought about how things could be brought back on track.

‹Asteria› "That's just it." An exasperated sigh. "I don't know. She's had an issue with me since day one, remember? She got on my case about writing Greek on the crow and then rode me for a good few pages about it...Then, no matter what's posted, even if not at her, she picks it up and throws it at me. Things Aidan says somehow manages to mean I said it, and not her. If I talk about Robert and what I know of him, she becomes instantly irritated and tries to defend him; and that's a whole other tissue," she answered, toe tapping at the very thought.

"I've tried, Pi. I was told she was worth getting to know, despite how she seemed to have an issue, so I tried. I don't hold onto things that annoy me. Once it's done, it's done. She can't look passed that. And, she can't even talk about it. And, the fact that she jumps on me about Robert and my choices to fix things involving him, and how she defends him, makes it hard to trust her. There are tissues there, things she says she doesn't do or doesn't feel, but they're there. I don't know how anything can be fixed when it looks like it's pulling nails to get her to look in my direction."

‹Pi dArtois› The family was full of personalities that didn’t always gel. People who were raised in different parts of the world. People who were raised with different moral compasses and all of them developed in their own way for their own reasons then thrown together in this melting pot called Harper Rock. She had created d’Artois as a place those who were connected to her could belong and work together. She had erroneously started calling it a family but it wasn’t really that at all. Although in some way the structure lent itself to the comparison. No, the truth was, that their personalities were too dissimilar. They say that families were the same sort of melting pot, a mixture of all kinds but that wasn’t really the truth. Even in families, there were similarities of culture, language, experiences and social conventions. You were raised in a singular unit that almost always threw out different types of people but their environments were similar. It is that reason why Pi didn’t call what they were ‘a family’ any longer. Now, she called them a lineage, a line of people connected to one another by blood. And not by blood of relations but blood of chance, the drip of vampire connection. In this moment Pi could tell that what they had here was one of those situations.

[Pi dArtois]

--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--

‹Pi dArtois› Like her and Robert. Probably especially like her and Robert. “You and Aidan and Madison are one of this lineage and contribute in time and effort towards what we are building. We won’t always get along. If we can find a way to help you work together, then I think we should try that. But if that’s not possible I only require that you don’t kill one another and when needed, you work together.. and do what needs to be done. Exactly like you said. She helped? When you asked, despite not… looking at you?” she asked.

‹Asteria› Admittedly, she was a little confused with what Pi said toward the end, the confusion taking hold of her olive orbs as her face scrunched up a bit more in thought. Then, when she thought she had the plot, she proceeded. "She helps when it means helping someone else. But, if it came down to it, she wouldn't help me. She wouldn't help Aidan," she pointed out wryly. "I try to help her; I give her blood heals when she needs it. I offer any of my other powers. But I get yelled at for not caring enough and not doing what she asks exactly how she asks it. She wants people to help, and then gets mad when we try. She didn't tell anyone that she could no longer block Robert, so who knows what he's been doing while using a room that's meant to be secure. She can't handle anyone saying anything that she doesn't agree with."

Another pause. "Lancaster dotted out that I always felt like this stuff was my fault, that when things didn't work, they went back on me. Madison is a big part of that, with how she constantly hoses me, yet I'm supposed to trust her because she's in a faction with me? Because she proved herself to you and Lan, but if it came down to it, wouldn't think twice about leaving me out to dry?"

‹Pi dArtois› "I can see you're frustrated and if that is how you're feeling I can understand why. Like you said, I’m not sure there is an easy resolution to you, Aidan and her working together, except, doing exactly that. And you all learning to set aside your differences when it’s time to. She’s here and she’s helping because she’s making the effort to be one of this lineage. The key here being, she hasn't said no to helping you yet and until she does, we have to work with what we have. I can see how maddening it can be but you and I both know this stuff doesn’t happen over night. And if the ultimate goal is us working together, we need to give each other the chance to succeed or fail.” Sitting forward she clasped her hands. “Have you heard anymore about Reilly?” she asked, not really changing the subject, but knowing that they’d worked together to try and find him.

‹Asteria› Though Pi wasn't trying to change the subject, it felt as such. She was, by no means done with it, but humored Pi's question for the brief moment. "No," she answered simply. "But, I haven't heard from Lancaster today, and I don't hear from Madison, so I'm shooting blind... The one idea I came up with in that moment can't be done, so I'm trying to think of something else."

‹Pi dArtois› Nodded at the answer and sighed, Elliot knows more than I do about how the search is going.” I’ll ask him when I see him.” then redirected the conversation back again. “Lets give Madison a chance to prove herself or not. It’s not possible to think everyone is going to like one another or always get along but when the chips are down if we can work together, I think that’s the compromise we can all live with. What do you think?”

‹Asteria› "I said I didn't think everyone would get along all the time..." she pointed out, her voice a little lower, almost a mumble. "I've been trying since I was turned. I can't win with her. I'm trying to put aside things, but she can't. It's like, I need to just...wait in the sides and let her work with Lan, and just...come when I'm called, like a dog or something." Her lips pursed a bit. "I know you're trying to stay out of it...but if I wanted someone to say back what I've been saying in another way the whole time...I'd talk to a parrot." It wasn't meant to be a mean thing, but more of an observation. In her mind, the entire talk was Pi being as uninvolved as possible, remaining Switzerland, but Ast wanted advice, and it didn't seem to be happening just then.

‹Pi dArtois› Pi slid Asteria a look and shook her head. "If I had a different opinion on it, I'd say so, but you already know what the best working solution is, and I agree with it. " She smiled then, the expression actually reaching her blue eyes and sitting there with a subtle humour. "It's not even that I'm trying to stay out of it, so much as I don't see anything for me to be a part of yet. I can see you don't get on. I see that you have issues with one another. I asked if you had a solution you thought might work, and what you said, I agree with. You're an intelligent woman.. nothing you said yet I disagree with. IF something happens, that brings this all to a head, I'll deal with that then... the best I can do is talk to her, like I am you... and give her the same message. Don't get along, that's fine. Don't make it my problem, but when you do, IF you do, it's because you're not holding up your part of being in this lineage. That's, I figure, where and when I'll step in. Don't you agree?"

Pi leaned forward. "And that IF, also covers any situation where Madison, doesn't step up to help... you too Asteria, so if that happens, and I need to call her on it. I will. I can assure you of that?"

‹Asteria› She supposed that's really all she could ask, that it something did eventually happen, that it could be dealt with. "Alright..." Ast replied with a nod. If Pi would be willing to step in if and when it was needed, that would be suffice for now. As the situation hadn't come to a head yet, there was no real need to plan for it. "What should I do in the meantime? About Reilly? I can't really track...and I can't summon... The most I can do is heal him if he's hurt and shoot at the people who had a foot in it."

‹Pi dArtois› "Elliot is working on a plan... as soon as I'll know I'll post something on crow. For now, we wait and see.. we'll get him back. And soon." she stated unequivocably. "And I'll talk to Madison.. make sure we're all on the same page. I'll do that as soon as I can... talk to her about Reilly too, but we'll cover this as well."

‹Asteria› Nodding again, she felt her phone buzzing. Pulling it out and reading the text quickly, she then pocketed it and pushed off of the wall. "I'll check the Crow then. For now, though...I have to go." Another step and she offered the woman a small smile, eyes wholly genuine. "Thank you...We'll talk soon, oxi?" And with that, she left, off to go find Aidan, letting her mind shift to happier topics.

* Pi dArtois nodded "Oui... bonsoir."

[Doc]

"--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--"

Catherine Nilson: Cat was worried about Brad. What if he didn't have cancer? Cat called him up and asked him if he was feeling okay. He was a little sick that night, which made her spirits lift a tiny bit. She was rifling through one of the medical books looking for symptoms of cancer. These books were not the same as the internet. On the internet, she found, everything was a symptom for cancer. In the books, she was lucky if she could find what she was looking for amidst all the Latin medical terminology and distracting supplementary photographs.

Doc: Doc knocked on the apartment door, counted to ten and then entered. He found Cat reading. This was a positive sign. She had hated and scoffed at books before, but she was learning their value. They had valuable information in them, and she was learning to look for it. He didn't know which book she was reading, but he could tell it was medical volume. This particular book might be over her head. "Hello Cat.."

Catherine Nilson: The learning curve was so steep that her brain was being dragged through the mud. The cliff of knowledge was vast and covered with sharp rocks, like the assumption by the medical book writer that she was some kind of college kid with a million prerequisites and several internships, all of which "paid" in experience only. Cat was, at best, a stubborn and curious adventurer. When Doc entered, she ignored him at first, green eyes narrowed at the word Carcinogen. She didn't know what the **** an oma was, but the body could acquire several varieties. When he talked to her, she peeled herself away from the mysterious tome with all its secrets. "Hi Doc."

Doc: "What are you reading.. " He was curious. He knew she had hoped to give the boy cancer, but what was she looking to find out in the book? He pondered how one explained the mutation of cancer in the body, to someone with no medical background at all. He would let her set the tone of the conversation.

Catherine Nilson: She flipped the book over and stared at the long title, before slowly intoning "Pathogens of the Human Body, Canadian Medical Association, Volume 2, Carcinogenic Maladies.' Brad had a stomachache today. Do stomachaches mean cancer?" she demanded. He knew everything, surely he would be able to give her a concise answer without trying to make her critically think about what she was saying. Right?

Doc: "It could. But then many things cause stomachaches, so the odds are highly doubtful." He wanted to launch into a lecture, but he would let her set the tone. He knew why she has asked. She was hoping for something to say her 'experiment' was succeeding. She was in for disappointment.

Catherine Nilson: Poor Brad, what was she going to do with him? She wished she'd monitored him more closely. Now she knew his parents, it was going to be unrealistic for her to abduct him. Dispose of him, definitely, but they'd come snooping to her first thing. If she had him tied up in the back, she might get this urge to tie them up in the back too, when they came to see her. She let out a long, soft sigh. Her fingers clenched around the book, unclenched, and she gently set it aside. Doc would be angry with her if she threw his book.

Doc: As she set the book aside, Doc presumed the conversation about cancer was at an end. "Catherine, I need to speak with you about Canidae. You have been progressing nicely, and with this progression comes a decision on your part."

Catherine Nilson: A decision on her part? That was strange, usually it was "do this or I'll kill you" or "don't do that or I'll kill you." But lately, especially in the last week, he had been treating her even more like an adult. She liked it. She was nineteen, after all. She didn't like to be bossed around. What's more, his praise of her progress made her feel a warmth that she hadn't felt since Leo died. Cat's mood swung back up violently. "Okay." Her eyes were on his.

Doc: "You have heard us talking about the Den and Canidae, preparations have become such, as you may know the that portals and the stores will not be available to mere lineage members anymore. To have access, you must become a member of Canidae. And you must become a member on your merits. I can not help you make the decision to apply, nor can I help you become accepted, if you do apply. Do you understand?"

Catherine Nilson: "Yeah." She mulled it over. She didn't really use the portal, except to hunt Doc down and cuss at him. Pi had been angry, which was amusing, but the whole thing left a bad feeling in her gut. Actually, that had been the retaliatory bullets. Canidae, huh? "What else does it do?" She wasn't really interested in the portal factor alone.

Doc: "Canidae is a faction. A faction tied to the lineage. This means that those in the faction owe loyalty to others in the faction, regardless of how if they like them or not." Doc paused for a moment. "I walk a very narrow line. I am in two factions. Two factions that deserve my loyalty. My first loyalty however is to Tytonidae. Canidae is second. What it means for me.. is that must weigh ever decision before I make it. It would not be that way for you. Your loyalty would be to Canidae first and foremost. To their well being. It would mean you taking an active part in growing and developing the faction."

Catherine Nilson: "Well, what's Tytonidae?" she demanded. She hadn't realized before that there were many factions. She wanted to explore them all before she decided which one she was interested in. Maybe none of them, but probably not. Having people required to be loyal to you on your merits instead of your age sounded promising to Cat.

Doc: "Tytonidae is a faction that is dedicated to the protection of the masquerade." If she wished to know more, she would would have to hunt it down. That was the only way one could tell if they were genuine in their search, was how hard they were willing to go to get the information they wanted.

Catherine Nilson: "What other factions are there? How come you picked Tytonidae?" She wasn't going to just blindly go with whatever he picked, but she did look up to him, and now that she was almost at a level to be admitted into Canidae she was going to learn more about the others first. She would choose when she was ready.

Doc: "I had been watching them and observing them since I became vampire. They had a purpose, a goal, a plan. No one else had such. Their goal agreed with my own."

Catherine Nilson: She tilted her head, "Aren't they the ones who made that code where you can't say the word vampire?" She didn't like that code very much, but there were many codes being enforced already. Cat was used to obeying the rules, even if grudgingly, as long as it meant she got to remain safe.

Doc: "Have you read the code? Doesn't sound like it."

Catherine Nilson: She shrugged. She'd read it, but sometimes things got twisted illogically in her head. "No," she lied and leaned back on the couch, staring at the ceiling. This was a serious decision. She'd need to talk to some people.

Doc: "Any more questions about Canidae?"

Catherine Nilson: As far as she understood, the persons in Canidae would be required to like her. This made the promise of making new vampire friends sound good. "Anybody in there I would get along with?"

Doc: "Adian.. "

Catherine Nilson: "I already know Aidan," she explained, "She gave me my heads." Which had been getting freezer burn.

Doc: "I am not advocating that you should or shouldn't do this. But if you are interested.. now is the time for you to be thinking of it."

Catherine Nilson: "Okay," she said and stared at him. He was not being helpful in telling her "the right faction" but he was not bossing her, so it was really win-win. No rush.

Doc: "As you continue to grow.. you will start to be noticed, by others. Some of them will be genuine in their regard of you. Other will want to use you. Knowing the factions, and what they offer, -before- you are approached by them, gives you the power to see them as they really are. Do you understand?"

Catherine Nilson: He sounded like he'd had first-hand experience in being lied to by factions in order to try and garner his membership. "Yes," she murmured, still in thought. "Um, what were the ones that tried to use you?" She wanted to know who to at least watch out for while she was conducting her search.

Doc: "It is not important. You must base your actions on your experiences. To base them on those of others, puts emphasis on the other person's emotions and feelings more than your own."

Catherine Nilson: She furrowed her brow at him and sat up straighter, then earnestly said "I wasn't going to. I just wanted to know, because you talked like somebody tried to pull that **** on you." He didn't really seem like the type to vent about specific circumstances to feel better, though.

Doc: "It no longer exists." It wasn't a faction per se, but he was coerced into doing things he would not have done otherwise. But it made an impression on him, and he learned the way of things quickly.

Catherine Nilson: She thought about his tone of voice, then told him "When I was in a gang, I did some stuff I didn't want to, because I wanted Leo to like me. But right now I don't care if people like me." She had returned Asteria and Aidan's disdain in kind, and had been rewarded by Aidan's respect and friendship. She believed in the motto that it was smart to treat others how you were treated, unless your sire told you to bite your tongue.

Doc: Doc looked at her as she spoke. What was she saying? That he should suck it up to be liked? "Respect yes.. like? No I do not care if I am liked. I am who I am." He sounded a bit insulted. As if he thought Cat was saying she didn't like him, and that she didnt like things he told her to do. He checked the time on his watch. "I must be going."

Catherine Nilson: "I want people to r- okay." She had work to do anyway. She wasn't just going to charge into the nearest faction. Canidae sounded promising so far, just because it was new, so she could help build what kind of character the faction would have, early on.

Doc: Doc needed to go kill things. He did not need to be liked. He had done just fine by himself before, things had not changed. He headed to the door, and as he opened it, said back, "Tell Jacq I came by.."

Catherine Nilson: "I'll let her know," she mumbled, confused and irritated by his sudden leaving. At least he hadn't been mean to her. And he seemed to care about Jacquiline. She frowned at the medical book and went to the computer to do some emailing.

[Pi dArtois]

Pi dArtois: [Text - from Pi] Hi Doc, can you let me know what traps you have on you for d'Artois. I've completely lost track of where things are.

Doc: ‎ [text] got a ******* headache.. can it wait.

Pi dArtois: [text]It's waited this long. Just send it on when you have time. You okay? Since when do we have headaches?

Doc: ‎ [text] since i got a fuckting headwound

Pi dArtois: [text]Was this something you asked to have happen to you?

Doc: ‎ [text] what the **** you mean

Doc: ‎ Current Wounds
Wound: Sliced gut
Affected: stamina (-3 pts)
Remaining: 6 days
Given by: Dominique


Wound: Broken ribs
Affected: stamina (-3 pts)
Remaining: 5 days
Given by: Dominique


Wound: Sliced arm
Affected: strength (-2 pts)
Remaining: 3 days
Given by: Dominique


Wound: Stab wound (head)
Affected: intelligence (-9 pts)
Remaining: 8 days
Given by: Dominique
--CRITICAL!--

Wound: Cut leg
Affected: dexterity (-4 pts)
Remaining: 2 days
Given by: Bear trap


Wound: Sliced arm
Affected: strength (-2 pts)
Remaining: 3 days
Given by: Dominique


Wound: Cut leg
Affected: dexterity (-4 pts)
Remaining: 2 days
Given by: Bear trap

Pi dArtois: [text]Lets face it, it's not always clear whether you wanted a head wound. I'm asking if you were just... playing.

[text] Or is there someone out there we need to kill?
[text] Or ask nicely if they meant to ... shoot you in the heard

Doc: ‎ [text] oh shes in hospital.

Pi dArtois: [text] Human?
[text] A human shot you in the head?

Doc: ‎ [text] paladin

Pi dArtois: [text] Anything you think I should know?

Doc: ‎ [text] tired, having a fuicking head ache form hell and the phone is pissin me off

Pi dArtois: [text] Sounds like 'no - nothing you should know'. Just let me know if you need anything. Until then I'll leave you be. You need healing?

Doc: ‎ [text] yea. that w.. yea

Pi dArtois: [text] I'll be up in the portal room in 2 minutes. Meet you there.

Pi dArtois: It took a while to get used to this new place. It wasn't a comfortable fit at first. The underground passage felt a bit close and stifling. And despite the elevator spanning the distance beween the two floors she always felt a bit twitchy in the early days of their new place. Now, not so much. Stepping off the elevator she saw Doc right away and her eyebrow arched high. "Well, that's quite a bit more damage than a head wound. What the hell have you done with yourself... where's your med kit?"

Doc: ‎ He was tired. He just wanted the heals. "I take care of the others.. when I get clean clothes.. just the heal.. .." * sighed.. * please * his head was splitting, his clothes were ruined. "Don't worry anythign else.. "

Pi dArtois: It didn't surprise Pi at all that Doc was a reluctant patient, all the medical staff she'd ever known in her life tended to be that way. It seemed to her that working in the profession of giving care like that bred a certain apathy for use of such techniques on themselves. Without saying a word Pi laid a small hand on his shoulder, and pushed her power out. She'd become used to the skill, she'd used it often enough. Healing took a piece of her energy, a veritable ball of focused Pi-ness and it was this she used to replace the blood Doc had lost. She didn't know if she replaced it all, although, by the time she was done she'd exhausted her own reserves her powers tapping out. She lifted her palm off his shoulder and stood back. She watched him closely. "I'm here if you need something Doc... I know asking isn't your strong point when it comes to me... but I do want to do something if I can. This. Is a lot of damage ..."

Doc: ‎ "Yea I know. I gotta get to the hospital, make sure that ... the ambulance staff, waiting on me, statement. Um.. Dont show, hold work.. need her on a psych hold." To Doc, he sounded lucid and completely sane. It made sense in his head, so should make sense to her as well. He had to get to the hospital to make sure they put the paladin on a 3 day psyche hold. Otherwise she could get out. He intended her stay to be very very in depth.

Pi dArtois: "Well, you're not going to get to the hospital in that state. They'll take one look at that head wound and admit you." Pi had seen head wounds, and was marginally impressed he was standing at all, let alone making this much sense. She was impressed he'd managed to text as well as he did considering the wounds that chequered the man's body. "I'll go?"

Doc: ‎ "Yea.. gonna change " He motioned to his clothes, as his words drifted off. " at Eyrie... no worries.." He winced and pushed his hair back, then grimaced. "You're not practicing, I am .. my signature holds her." He paused, "With jacket or without?" Of she should understand. "'Sides I want to see the *****'s face when shes locked up."

Pi dArtois: "With jacket... you'll need all the cover you can get." Nodding she moved out of t he way so Doc could leave by way of the elevator, sliding out of his way so he could go where he wanted to go. It was interesting to hear he had a room at the Eyrie and she filed that piece of information away for use... whenever and nodded. "Be careful Doc." she finished. She wouldn't repeat the offer for him to call her. That had always been the case and she felt like a parrot saying it so much. Many didn't take her up on the offer, but she always did anyway.

Doc: ‎ "Right.. " He nodded slowly. His thoughts were foggy. So he had to focus on his next steps, Portal to Bullwood. Take the transit.. get to eyrie. Inject. Change clothes. Go to the hospital. He moved to the portal. Looked at Pi, "Tell Cat.. i'm .. fine."