Path of the Vampire forum

Alexandrea
Alexandrea finished making the tea and wheeled the cart with it's assortment of treats out into the gallery. She was expecting her old pal Red at any minute and was looking forward to catching up. There had been some unpleasant gossip about the redheaded blood thief lately, and Alex was positive Amalea was about to confirm to her that there wasn't any truth at all to them.

Alexandrea
She fixed herself a cup of Earl Grey and and took a seat at the card table to wait.

Amalea
The red-head slipped into the domain of the Quartermaine, heading up the stairs as directed. She pushed her hood down to reveal her red tresses as she reached the top of the stairs. It had been a while since she had seen Alex and she had the sense that this meeting wasn't going to go well given what the woman had said in her emails. "Evening Alex," she greeted the woman as she took the seat opposite her.

Alexandrea
"There she is!" The Allurist sang out to no one in particular, and waved Amalea into a seat at the table with a warm smile. "What kind of tea would you like? I have a little of everything here."

Amalea
"Chamomile, if you have it, please?" She resisted the urge to twitch at the mention of tea; she still was wary of the beverage after being drugged by Elizabeth. It wasn't that she was upset with the elder over it; she wasn't. It had led to several insightful days of reflection. No, it had just shown the red-head she was rather susceptible to such methods and to be on her toes.

Alexandrea
Alexandrea's attention was briefly drawn away from her guest and passed the doors to the mall outside the gallery. A single shopper had paused ever so briefly at her window but then, as they all did these days, the would be customer moved along. The mention of Chamomile brought Alex's focus back to where it should have been and grinned as she fixed her friend a cup, setting it down on the table next to her. "Honey? Sugar? OR you take it straight up?" The blonde gave the redhead a wink as she chuckled softly.

Amalea
"Honey would be nice." She smiled at the woman as she looked around. She'd never been in the upstairs of the shop. In reality, it had been a while since she'd been to the mall at all. "Lovely upstairs you have here. Is this where you tend to work?"

Alexandrea
"In part." Alex smiled and passed Amalea a glass bear with organic local honey. "I have the workshop area in the side room where I teach art classes a couple evenings a week. Or at least I used to..." She sighed as she nodded to the side door that went into the classroom area. "And I have my office tucked away in the smaller back room over there" The blonde gave a nod in the opposite direction. "The the art on display in this room is for sale. IT's all my own right now but I hope to feature other artists as well. Or at least that used to be the plan." She chuckled good naturedly and took a long sip of her own tea.

Alexandrea
She paused and then just jumped right into it. "So. What's been going on with you, Lea?"

Amalea
She smiled as she took the bear, "Thanks." Quietly, she listened to Alex as she added a bit of the sweet nectar to her cup, stirring gently to incorporate it into the hot liquid. She set the bear on the table before sipping her tea, happy to find it was just right. The question wasn't unexpected but the timing caught her off-guard. "Where should I begin?" She had an idea the rumors floating about, but not the particular ones the blond may have heard.

Alexandrea
"well, as they say.. how about at the beginning?" Alexandrea's smile was warm and her voice was kind. "I got the impression from your message that you wanted to share your truths with me?" She reached down to put up a small plate of lemon tarts and held them out to Amalea. "I get the feeling that you are feeling troubled. So take your time. I'm not going anywhere." With a wink the blonde took a tart for herself and leaned back in her chair.

Amalea
The red-head nodded quietly as she took a tart and nibbled it quietly as she thought. "A bit," she admitted quietly before taking a sip of tea. "You're aware that the Administrator wanted the keys so he could go find whatever the Sirens were looking for, right?" She shook her head lightly, "I found one of them...one of five... and shortly afterwards was compelled towards a specific path through the Labyrinth that brought us together in some sort of chamber." Her nose twitched slightly, "It held an ancient vampire, mostly mummified. She'd been the one to summon us."

Alexandrea
Alex's eye nearly bugged out of her skull and she leaned forward, facinated. "Go on! Really? How ancient? Did she speak?

Alexandrea
"., And who else was there? Did the Administrator show up too?"

Amalea
"Very, from before the Holocaust. She spoke telepathically, both in pictures and words. She showed us that she came here from Europe, I think, by walking under the ocean. Her name is Theodosia if that rings a bell?" It was interesting to see how Alex reacted to the idea of an ancient. "The five were myself, Every, Llangort, Ariadne and a blonde who I believe was called Freyja. And no, the Administrator never appeared."

Alexandrea
"hmmph. Figures." The blonde muttered under her breath, bemused. "I refer to the hand behind the puppet that is our Mayor, of course. I was sure it was all just a ploy on his part... anyways. A real Ancient. Hmm." The blonde was transfixed for a second and then shook her head. "I'm sorry, I just had 20 million questions pop into my head. It's lucky for everyone I wasn't there, I'm sure. We would still be... where did you say you were again? And please, go on! What happened and what was talked about? Did she share any forgotten knowledge with anyone?"

Amalea
Amalea shook her head in quiet amusement. "Deep, deep between the Labyrinth, I believe. There were so many twists and turns, it's hard to know for sure precisely where we ended up. She said our meeting was pretty much written into the stars. She then made the offer of opening the rift in exchange for human blood. We were each permitted one question."

Alexandrea
"No sh*t..." Alex chuckled. "What did you ask?"

Alexandrea
The Allurist was nodding to herself, of all the players in the game that the bloodthief had named as key holders, Red alone was the human. That would explain why all the rumors were placing blame on her. She listened to her friend's tale and wondered who it had been that must have fed this... Theodosia

Amalea
"Ari asked what would happen if the rift closed. The impression I got was that the rift can't ever be fully closed. She likened it to a vase that had been cracked and put it back together. It would never be like new and it would be weaker. Every wanted to know if the rift was opened. The answer to that was essentially freedom beyond what we think it is. She insinuated it was like we were in a prison and didn't know what freedom was like." She paused to take a sip of her tea. "Freyja wanted to know if we would still be able to contact Theo or if she would disappear as well as how fast things would change. Theo said she was most comfortable with her creations and would like to be left in peace with them, but that we five would be able to contact her and she'd share her knowledge, but some lessons we'd have to learn on our own."

Alexandrea
Alex almost dropped her tea cup but caught it in the nick of time "She said she would share her knowledge?"

Amalea
The red-head nodded, "She did. But only to the keyholders, but I suppose acting as relays for others isn't out of the question. I had asked how she came to be locked away in this deep room without anyone besides her own creations for company. She showed us how she had left Europe due to a witch hunt. How she made her way under the ocean to America. How the fae had destroyed all of her followers and she had come north. She built a city and some catacombs here and one day it was destroyed - city and followers both and she had retreated to the haven we found her in. Llangort wanted to know how much blood she needed. The answer to that was straightforward - enough to move."

Alexandrea
"wow." Alex had moved forward in her chair until she was sitting right on the very edge, the wood putting a dent into the tops of her legs. "You've got a book there, to be sure. One I'll be wanting to read." She chuckled "So what was your question?"

Amalea
"I asked how she came to be secluded down there." She shook her head lightly, "It sounds like a bad B-rated movie, really."

Alexandrea
Alex sipped at her cup of tea as well and leaned back in her chair again. "I can so totally get the allure to give her whatever she wanted. But did anyone ask her what was in it for her? I mean... yeah awesome big *** freedom like we never knew before... supposedly. Which she claimed everyone would get if someone fed her. Who did do that, by the by? But I get the impression there is more to it than that. At least from this Theodosia chick.... were you there when it happened? Cus according to my zombie forecast alert, it's running undead out there... so someone DID, obviously, fed her. "

Amalea
She shook her head, "**** hit the fan about then. Ari tried to shoot Theo...Freyja somehow managed to shoot her bullet to stop that. Still not sure how that happened. There was some debate about how killing Theo might be a bad idea if the Shadow Realm reached down there. Kill her and she'd return pissed off and looking for vengeance. At some point during the debate, Theo said she had no interest in the living or destroying humanity." She returned to her tea for a moment to allow the blonde to digest that all and to prepare herself for the next bits.

Alexandrea
"I see... so who, in the end... gave her what she wanted? Who is the rightful owner to what's being dumped on you?"

Amalea
"That, unfortunately, is me." She quietly shook her head. "Ari got into a fight with Freyja when Freyja tried to feed Theo blood without everyone's agreement. Every jumped in after disarming the bomb that Llangort threatened us all with, though he claimed it was just a dud. Ari killed both women." Her nose twitched, "Most people don't believe me, and I don't expect you to, but when Every died... I lost my myself... it was the first time I'd ever seen someone I knew die. How I managed to go seven years without it, I don't know. We also didn't know if the Realm reached that low at that very moment. Thankfully, Every, was able to contact me from the Realm to say it did. But it felt like from the moment she died, I was watching a movie rather than be in control." She shrugged lightly, "As I said, I expect no one to believe that. Ariadne mindblocked me, I believe because of something I said or how I was acting. I was a bit aggressive, I think. Shortly after, Llangort walked out. Ari wanted us to leave, but Theo was still answering questions and I wanted further information. Ari decided, I guess, that I couldn't be swayed and left as well."

Alexandrea
Alex sat quietly, letting it soak in. She finished her tea and then made another cup. At last she looked at Lea, in her eyes and said; "You let this ancient.. who hadn't fed in who knows HOW long... feed on you?" The blonde asked in horror. "what would you have done if she couldn't have stopped?"

Alexandrea
"Why, Amalea? Why would you want the rift to open even more?"

Amalea
She quietly sipped her tea and nibbled on her tart as she waited for Alex to say something. "Not on me, no. One of the others had Theo summon their thrall to the chamber. She stopped before killing her. But mindblocked? If it had been me, I would have been down there a couple hours; hopefully without bleeding out in the meantime." She shook her head for not having ever realized how dangerous it could have been if the thrall hadn't been there. "I hadn

Amalea
't been leaning towards opening, honestly. I knew I certainly didn't want it closed; never that, not that it was even an option." She sighed, "I was out of it, which was no excuse, and made a decision I wouldn't have otherwise. But I made it, so despite the circumstances, it falls on me."

Alexandrea
Alexandrea continued to drink her tea as calmly as if they were just discussing the weather, nodding at Red here and there as she spoke but staying quiet for the time being. At last she sighed and set down her cup, empty again. "You say it all falls on you. Yet you didn't bleed for Theodosia. Therefore you are not to blame. So, who is? Who made the point of getting the blood into the elder? And does Elizabeth know about your part in this yet?"

Amalea
The red-head answered the last question first, "Elizabeth does, yes. She and I spent some quality time together over several days discussing it." That was an interesting way to say that the elder had drugged her and put her in a cage for a while. "No, I didn't bleed for her, but I did ask the thrall, though not mine, to do so if they were willing."

Alexandrea
"Who's thrall? Was their master or mistress agreeable?"

Amalea
"Every's. I believe so, but I can't say with certainty. I'm not sure if Every would have made the same decision or not."

Alexandrea
She hated to admit to herself how much relief she felt at that... "alright so.. maybe Ripper wasn't 100% right about all it it..." The blonde certainly hoped not, otherwise she would never hear the end of it... "And as hard of a time as I had believing that you had anything to do with this? It's even less likely that Every did."

Alexandrea
"I mean she led the owl herd on me back in the day more than once, she's gotta be one of the last vampires alive that would want to make the rift WORSE."

Alexandrea
"But... as far as you go, Red? I figure if your story was good enough for Elizabeth, it's good enough for me. But it sounds like you might need to talk to someone... cus what you're telling me? Well, it just doesn't sound like... YOU. When we went through that old Broussard place together, it was you that I trusted to have mt back. The guys were morons. You, you had the good head on your shoulders."

Amalea
She snorted lightly, "I've never talked to Ripper about this mess, so I have no idea where he got his information. I know there's a thumbdrive floating about, but it cuts off when Ari leaves and you hear very little of the conversation as Theo spoke telepathically and several of us did as well." She shook her head, "It does fall on me though." She gave the blonde a small smile, "I plan to. I asked someone for a recommendation for a facility for mental issues and plan to follow through on that. I know I have untreated depression... and I prefer not to talk about the reasoning behind that... I don't want it to come back to bite me in the *** again. I don't know if that's what occurred down there but I can't risk it seeing the damage done." There was a shake of her tresses, "No one believes it. I've been accused of lying... of being Theo's thrall... of covering my own ***. I don't blame them. It doesn't change that I opened Pandora's box and let loose everything."

Amalea
"I should also say I don't know precisely where I stand with Elizabeth, honestly."

Alexandrea
"PTSD. That is my unasked for, unprofessional opinion. I know about PTSD from when I watch my husband shoot my lover to death... another lifetime ago. It just sneaks up on you like when you skid on black ice on the roads in winter. I'm sorry." Alex stoood up and walked over to give Red a hug around her shoulders. "Hey, don't take my word for sh*t... go talk to a couple different professionals. I'll even tag along with you as company if you need any moral support." She stood back up and got herself more tea. "And I wouldn't worry about Liz. She didn't kick you off of the DC family board after all. If she had, we wouldn't be here right now having this chat!" Alexandrea softly laughed and gave the human a warm smile.

Amalea
She nodded quietly at the words and shoulder hug, "I will. Likely outside the city though, given the current climate within. I'm not sure a professional here could be unbiased and might be tempted to tell tales out of school It's just safer to get help elsewhere, I think." She gave the blond a smile, "I appreciate the offer, though. If you like, I'd be happy to email back and forth while I'm out of the city?" If anyone knew Liz, she supposed it was Alex. It was true she still had access to the family board, so the blond's words made sense, "I owe her and hope to make things right with her, but I guess still being there is a good first step."

Alexandrea
"agreed" Alex grinned and held out her teacup to toast the other woman... "A toast? To Elizabeth. A woman of grace and beauty... and brains and to whom we are both eternally grateful"

Alexandrea
"and yes, do stay in touch. And let me know if you need anything, I can wire you funds anywhere around the world and would do my best to summon you home, distance allowing."

Amalea
"Absolutely," the red-head smiled, a bit cheerier now that the weight was off her shoulders as she held out her own teacup, "To Elizabeth." She nodded at Alex as she took a sip of her tea, "I will on all fronts. I'm taking my tablet with me just for such a thing. Isolating myself from the city while I'm gone isn't wise, I think. A couple emails a day and nothing more is my plan. Which given my days may be full, that shouldn't be hard to keep myself to."

Alexandrea
She smiled and nodded and passed the plate of tarts again... and worried. "Yes, getting out of town will help I am sure of it. Maybe even somewhere sunny and warm?" Alex sighed. It was tempting to get away from cold wet and cloudy Ontario... but her motive was due to worry. If it was true... and it seemed that it really was... then it was only a matter of time until someone attacked Amalea....

Alexandrea
"You have a tome that takes you home or somewhere, right?"

Alexandrea
"And how're you for weapons?"

Amalea
She took another tart with a smile, "Thanks." She nibbled on it a bit as she nodded, "Still within Canada, I'm afraid, but it's still a break from the city." Her nose crinkled as the blonde posed her next questions; it was now obvious she was concerned which also explained the warm and sunny comment. "I'm good with weapons, I think," she acknowledged, "I have ways to get around."

Alexandrea
"Good, good." Alex smiled then frowned and gave the other female a frank look. "It's okay. To be scared? It is. It can be a great motivator and nothing is better to stimulate your creativity. But don't be like the deer that gets caught in the headlights and freezes. Be like the wildcat that hisses back. You still have just as much of a right to be here as anyone else does."

Amalea
Amalea blinked at the blonde for a moment, "I'm not sure if I'm scared more than resigned? I mean, I'm not fond of the idea of floating around in oblivion for eternity or what ever it is that happens to humans." Her tresses shook lightly, "I'm not crazy enough to believe that people won't come for me. They only see a betrayer of their kind or a human that opened Pandora's Box. The reasons don't matter to them and that's fine. It happened. A choice was made and has to be lived with; I know that." Her nose twitched lightly, "I don't know how I'd react to being attacked. It's one thing to say I'd fight like the cat, but another to actually do so. I could live with a couple weeks in the hospital. I wouldn't like it, mind you, but I could deal with it if it helped people feel better. But I'm not going to go looking for it."

Alexandrea
"I'll visit and bring you flowers if you do... I'm there a lot already anyways" She chuckled, trying to make light of it... "but you're no dimwit, you'll be just fine. I've bet on you in a fight before and won my money!"




------------------------------
This thread was submitted via a live roleplay chat in the Quartermaine Custom Creations 8D2F area. Participants and rewards were: Alexandrea earned 2537 RPP. Amalea earned 3135 RPP.