An email of interesting origins.[zodiac]

[Segreti]

[for_peace][/for_peace]
Segreti sighed as he entered his house, locking the door behind him and shutting the windows. He prepared himself for the night, eat something, wash dishes, brush teeth, take a shower, get into night clothes, start washer, pick up laptop and sitting on his bad, relaxing as he leaned against his pillow the light of the screen glowing against his eyes as he checked his emails and messeges. He cocked his head with interest, some were just normal expectations. He saw one email he found concerning, and one concern about him. But there was one message that especially interested him.

Greetings to you, Mr Segreti.

I am sorry your speaking engagement was so rudely compromised. I am glad no one was injured in the process. I would like to apologize for any damage I may have caused. A quake does not discriminate on what it shakes loose, but it had the desired effect of encouraging your guests to seek the exits before things truly got out of hand.

Yes, there was at least one vampire at your meeting. (If there were others, I did not sense them, nor was I looking for them.) I applaud your effort to point out that, like the living, all vampires are not evil. It does not matter to the majority, of course, but it was refreshing to see.

I also hope the paladins do not become too big of a thorn in your side. Speaking from experience, they can be annoying to say the least.

Speaking of, do you know or have a way to contact the woman who assisted me with my exit? It may have appeared that I needed no help, but her distraction allowed me to solve the problem without revealing what I actually am. I have taken great pains to keep that little secret, and she helped. Thank her for me and I hope she made it out with no harm in the process.

I think I will watch you for a time and see if you are all you appear to be. If so, then perhaps we can meet face to face. I promise you, there will be no harm from me to you or yours.

Sincerely,
A possible friend.

His eyes narrowed as he read along. As he uncovered more about what was being read here. Segreti was no hacker, and he didn't have many friends with that ability, so tracing this back likely would provide nothing. But further than that was the fact that he wasn't sure that should even be done. As he read, it was revealed this person claimed to be the person who saved the whole event from turning into a bloodbath.

Seemed to be wishing him well, which was nice. And warning of the paladins. Well, that'd be something he'd need to work on. If he could, he wanted them to be made out to be the villains. Curious though he was about them, the paladins were more commonly set in their ways than vampires. And they were proving troublesome, clearly, making his attempts to help vampires even less fruitful.

He grinned as it was revealed his guess might have been right, the woman blocked from leaving by the paladin was the vampire. And they were asking for a way to contact the woman who helped them. And to thank her for it. As well as seeming to hope to meet face to face.

The businessman groaned placing his fingers together in thought, then beginning to write a message in response. He couldn't do much without knowing how much of this was true. If they were indeed the vampire, he might be willing to make that connection for her. With the permission of the other woman of course. But if it wasn't, then he'd be risking someone elses safety off the word of someone off the internet.

Dear Possible Friend,
Thank you for your message. And for your help. Unfortunately there has been some damage, but better damage to a building than to a person. So I still must say thank you for that. You really helped prevent a much bigger mess from occurring. As far as the paladins go, I guess we'll find out. I believe I'll have to start upping my security, so maybe next time things won't be quite as difficult. We can hope at least.

As far as contacting the woman, I may have to have a way to know for sure this is indeed you. I don't mean to offend you of course, but along with the woman's permission, I naturally need to know you aren't an associate of the paladin woman who tried to stop who you say you are. As she made outright threats to the other. If there is a way you can think of to prove to me its you, I can ask about getting you two in contact. I'll be checking with the woman anyway, but I don't want to make her think that I believe it outright. Just need some way to know for certain. However, I am glad to say she did make it out alright. No injuries as far as I'm aware, though perhaps a bit afraid. So you can sleep well on that.

As far as meeting face to face, I'd certainly be happy to. When the time comes that you've made your decision on me at least.

Sincerely,
Antonio Segreti

[Zodiac]

The next night found her in much brighter spirits. The Carpet Flower had bloomed and the sequence of auto photos were e-mailed to her doubting friend. HA! Pay me! She sat for almost an hour taking in the scent and sight of the rare blossom. Each moment restoring her and putting the events of the previous night into a more relaxed perspective.

She went to work. The resemblance between her now and how she appeared last night was non existent. People came to see Zodiac the gypsy fortune teller and not some street tramp in a hoodie and those who came to Pandora’s was never disappointed. There was more to her labors than just telling fortunes for the curious. Potions to brew, orders to make for the shops, and the occasional order from darker elements in the town for her special brands of poisons.

At her break time, she took a walk and she took a seat in the park and pulled the burner phone from her purse. As it powered up, she lit a cigarette and looked around. Unlike last year, she saw more people out and about in the evening darkness. Either the military was getting a handle on the zombie situation or people were tired of being afraid.

The phone blipped that she had a message.

Dear Possible Friend,

Thank you for your message. And for your help. Unfortunately there has been some damage, but better damage to a building than to a person. So I still must say thank you for that. You really helped prevent a much bigger mess from occurring. As far as the paladins go, I guess we'll find out. I believe I'll have to start upping my security, so maybe next time things won't be quite as difficult. We can hope at least.

As far as contacting the woman, I may have to have a way to know for sure this is indeed you. I don't mean to offend you of course, but along with the woman's permission, I naturally need to know you aren't an associate of the paladin woman who tried to stop who you say you are. As she made outright threats to the other. If there is a way you can think of to prove to me its you, I can ask about getting you two in contact. I'll be checking with the woman anyway, but I don't want to make her think that I believe it outright. Just need some way to know for certain. However, I am glad to say she did make it out alright. No injuries as far as I'm aware, though perhaps a bit afraid. So you can sleep well on that.

As far as meeting face to face, I'd certainly be happy to. When the time comes that you've made your decision on me at least.

Sincerely,
Antonio Segreti

An eyebrow raised as she frowned. She had not expected such an involved answer, but how could she prove who she was? Getting into contact with the woman was not a major issue to pursue. Besides, it would mean one more person would know who and what she was. It was bad enough she was considering revealing herself to Segreti.

It was enough to know that her would be rescuer had not been harmed.

The paladins, on the other hand, could seriously be an issue. Usually they were quiet about their business, but last night showed they had gotten much louder and bolder. In the past, the law dealt with them as they would any street gang or anarchists, but thanks to the government saying basically what they were doing was okay with them she had no clue how that layer of protection would work now.

In a normal world she could assume this would all blow over by weeks end, but if Segreti insisted on continuing on speaking out about vampire rights in the current political air, there would be twice as many of God’s little foot soldiers at his next public engagement and even more at the next.

Briefly she considered reaching out to the few paladins she at least could have a sane conversation with, but it had been too long since they had talked. Any in roads into what might be going on within their ranks had evaporated, so she was blind on that front. Her fellow vamps would be zero help. Some of them were already on a dangerous edge over recent events so any questions on paladin activity might send some into a kill them all rampage.

’Why do all the cluster fucks find me?’ she wondered.

She was wasting time. She began to compose a reply.

Greetings again,
I am seriously trying to find a way to convince you that I am who I say I am, considering we had no real contact in the theater. I suppose I could dress the same? But I do have one clue for you to work with. Just before the quake hit, did you happen to hear a voice in your head telling you
‘You might want to hold onto something. Just saying.’
I certainly was not going to stand up and scream a warning.
I am glad to hear the woman is alright. No need to meet her or anything like that.
Also, you said you were a sorcerer? If this is true, then I suggest you find some Zen type of your kind and learn some ways to defend yourself. Paladins play hard ball-end of story. I have not heard of them actually attacking and injuring (or worse) a human before, but we are in a new era here now, are we not? The fact they made so bold a move at the theater and wanted to take you with them speaks volumes of how much things have changed and they are rolling with it.

She paused and looked around the park. No sign of anyone hanging in place for too long or that she was being watched. Paranoia was something a person of her background did not ignore.

Anyway. Do some serious planning and get yourself into the sorcerer dojo (or whatever your kind calls it) I doubt this will be forgotten soon, so watch your back. They know who you are. Me? I am just another fanger they have no clue who I am in reality. I actually have the easy side of this for a change.
Stay safe. I will be watching.

With a thought, she put the message into the phone and pressed send. Once the device confirmed the message was sent, she turned it off. The mystic then stood up and made her way out of the park and back to the marketplace. Her night was just beginning. So much work to do.

[Segreti]

The response was certainly an interesting one. At first sounding as if unsure how to prove. But, then going on to see the exact words he'd heard only a moment before the earthquake. Words that occurred only in his head. She certainly sounded to be trustworthy. But he'd give the option first to the woman being asked for. In the meantime, while he waited for that response, he would continue to analyze what was given to him. And prepare his statement.

She also seemed not particularly pushy about things. Which certainly made more reason to trust her. Most con artists tended to find some way to try and push, or lean, the person they were talking to towards something. He'd keep his eyes open, but so far things looked good. And also mentioning a question about his being a sorcerer. No, not a question, a prompting. To prepare himself for attacks, however likely or unlikely they were. Since the paladins knew he was indeed human, it was a matter of if they were willing to cross that line.

He chuckled a little as she mentioned getting into a dojo. He'd consider that, though he'd begun to gain...other additional ways to gain powers. That was a process however. And she was right, there was more for him to learn that could help protect him in a fight. She seemed to be safe, for now.

Well, that is indeed a fairly good reason. I shall ask her about if she is willing to let me give you a way to contact her. Whenever I know that, I'll be sure to get you another response. As far as being a sorcerer, I'll have to take more look into that. I haven'y really put that much effort into learning the more combative abilities beyond the basics. I just have a few 'tricks' of magic, or sorcery, so to speak. But I'm no combat mage. I'll work on it. Thank you.

I have been keeping my eyes open for those paladins. Whether or not they're willing to harm me, I don't want to risk them getting to someone else in the process. I don't intend to make the same mistake I made during that event next time.

I would like to know something though, do you happen to know how many vampires in turn actually want peace? Or if they'd rather things go right back to the way they were. Secretive, and behind curtains. Naturally I can't imagine many want how it is right now.

And, as another comment, I've heard of these demi-fae in the caverns near the river. Jorogomo and Encantado. I was wondering what exactly the relation might be between them and regular fae, and what you might know about them? They've been frustratingly hard to learn about so I've only gotten pieces here and there.

Sincerely,
Antonio Segreti

He looked the message over. It looked sufficient. He was willing to give out some information about himself. Just not too much. There would be some problems knowing for certain this person was who they said they were, but perhaps the woman who helped her would know more about it than he did. She should have actually seen her face afterall perhaps. At least he hoped that'd work out.

[Zodiac]

Another day and night passed. Her world spinning as it always had. People blind to the fact that the lady who read their fortunes in the cards was one of the undead. Advice given, insights shared, and encouragement and hope dispensed freely. Holistic medicines sold and how to spells passed on to those who dared to try. Plant lore swapped, laughs shared. In these things her life was no different now than it was before.
After finishing a ‘house call’ to one of her shut in clients, she paused outside of Beta Towers and turned on the burner phone. She scanned the message and laughed.

Questions, questions. She supposed it was inevitable. One did not defend the beasts and know next to nothing about them. She considered them as she walked to the transit and began to place her reply.

Questions! I do like them sometimes.

Honestly, the reason anyone knows my kind exists is because of the actions of a single member of our kind. In hindsight, I cannot say I would not do the same as they did, but it put the concept of vampires being real before the world. The end result made those like myself very angry. I knew once we were discovered that current affairs would become the norm. People cannot tolerate anything different than themselves. This is true of race, color, faith, and a multitude of things. All you have to do is read the news to see this is a fact of human nature, so what would make anyone think people as a whole would accept vampires?

And what did this lone vampire do to spill us from the shadows into the light?

They saved a child from certain death in front of witnesses.

As far as peace goes, that is debatable. Some, like myself, basically exist and try not to bother the world around us. Others fall into the middle of things. Being private yet being a part of current affairs. Still others scare me to the core. They are soaked in the delusion they are the immortal fiends Hollywood has glorified. Above the laws of man and God. Do what they want because they can. Some say we are Homo Superior the evolution of humanity.

And some act as if they were never human to begin with. This was their ‘destiny’ and the living are nothing more than walking bags of food to be used and discarded as they see fit. Those scare me, and I am a vampire as well.
So can I say how most vampires think? Hardly. Some of us are downright dangerous, while others simply just try to exist along side the living and retaliate when we are left with no other options. There is no exact percentage to say how many fall where.. All I can speak for is myself and a few others. We try not to hurt or rule the world around us. Just exist, continue to do as we did in life and hopefully help the living go on. Only stealing what we need to survive. Not harming or killing.

Jorogomo? Spider people. There is a Japanese folk tale about them. (Look it up) All females that either appear as a human woman or a half woman, half spider. (In the game of Dungeons and Dragons they are called driders.) Apparently they do exist.

Encantado? Fish people. Dolphins, actually. Again, a folk tale come to life. What allegiances either of these have to demi fae (or actual full fledged Fae) is not clear. They are not fans of vampires, so I have yet to manage a full blown conversation with any of them. The majority of their intentions are against vampires. That much I do know. I may have more info than you have on these subjects or not. I have combed through many texts and tomes to gain the few facts I know. Not counting ‘hands on’ experiences with them. Bottom line: Vampires, the Fae, and the others have been part of this world for much longer than any of us have lived.

I hope this helps or at least point you in a helpful direction. You seem like a smart man. Check the news records and sink yourself into some mythology and magical lore as I do. The clues are there. Perhaps if you are willing to discuss sorcerer lore a bit more, I can do the same on vampires.

Be well.

’That should hold him for a time, she decided. This wasn’t a game to her, but she caught on how he would offer a taste in exchange for a taste from her. He may have been naive at his lecture but he was not a fool. It was time to let him dig for a bit and let him get a clearer vision of what kind of situation he wanted to know about. The information was ignored by a ever changing techno world in which they now lived in. Park your nose in a few old books. The ones who smelled of age and held facts most now considered worthless then draw your own conclusions. All she had done was point him to common knowledge. No major secrets.
As she boarded the train, she sent the message. When she sat down she turned off the phone and tried to relax and enjoy the short ride back to Honeymead. If she shut her eyes and ignored the anti vampire rhetoric surrounding her, it was almost pleasant.
Almost…

[Segreti]

Life never stopped being interesting, Segreti had had an interesting time with his powers that he had begun to learn of the Blood thief. Among them, was the fact he could create these...undead hounds. They were intimidating creatures, and quite dangerous. They were perfect for getting rid of those pesky gangsters that wanted to mess with his operations, so naturally, he kept its existence a secret. In fact he kept being a blood thief a complete secret.

He'd also gotten a response from the woman that had spoken during his attempted event, the one that the 'Possible Friend' wanted to get into contact with. She seemed open to getting in touch, and so he had tried to remember to add that into his schedule. However, he was running a business, and that wasn't always an easy thing to manage. So he'd unfortunately gotten side tracked. Eventually however, while looking through his messages, he noticed another from 'possible friend.' And opened it.

A number of responses came with it. From how they came to be discovered, including the actual reason of the why. Which made him feel pity for both vampires, and for whoever the poor person who was saved was, but also for the vampire who did it. Who must have faced a lot of discrimination for their action from both humans and vampires alike.

The woman seemed to have a variety of experiences with vampires. Including their personalities. Some considered themselves even better than humans. He could understand that, but he'd naturally consider them both right and wrong. Vampires were powerful creatures, but they were not alone in their abilities. For one, a human could match them if they took the right paths. Paladin was the natural method of killing a vampire. But there were other strategic routes. Blood thieves, a path he had begun upon, and sorcerers, both were ways to keep up with some of the vampires. Point though was, some vampires were truly crazy, but some were not. Just like humans, but this time with powers.

She seemed to not know too much more about the Jorogomo than he did, that part he knew well. Along with some good bit about other Yokai and Japanese mythological creatures. Actually it made him curious even more, if the Jorogomo were real, could things like the Kitsune be as well. Maybe most Yokai were actually just Fae messing with humans? Or another kind of demi-fae? She did confirm that neither these Jorogomo, nor the Encantado, who he found far less about in his studies, didn't like vampires. And that it took a lot for her to find much about them.

She prompted him to study more, which of course, he absolutely would. He worked on his response in turn, which wouldn't take exceptionally long too write, but might be shorter than he liked as he also had to get to other work.

I apologize for not getting back to you. I have linked to this the contact information of the woman. I believe now you two should be able to get in touch with each other at your own leisure. She already told me that it would be alright to give it to you, but I forgot to get back to you until I noticed this message just now.

Thank you for all the information you've given me. I really do like to learn, and this could also really help me in the future when I try and help human/vampire relations. Maybe, we can hope at least. Unfortunately, the responses that have been gotten are quite...strained. Both sides are having a considerable amount of trouble taking full hold, but anti-vampire belief is pretty hard held right now and it's hard to shake that loose once it's gained a foothold.

It is a bit of a strange story, that saving a child was what set everything off. If it were possible I may try and meet that person, either the vampire or the human. Maybe both. I wonder what could be learned from that.

All of the stories about Jorogomo and such are indeed truly long. But I enjoy them. Trouble is finding fact from fiction, and when I have had trouble safely meeting one, that is a very hard thing to discover. Encantado were even more frustrating to discover. I only discovered the two were called Demi-fae from someone else in Harper Rock, so that is it's own matter. I wonder sometimes about comparisons in other religions, and if the Fae are just gods in one religion, and then spirits in another, or if there are truly other beings of that kind.

I will gladly share information on sorcerers in turn, at least with the knowledge that I have gained. The story of sorcerers seems to be one that is less length than that of vampires. But then again, they don't tend to live as long. I do find the fact that humans can learn these powers without having to take some strange thing that'll change their body to be an interesting one, like blood thieves and paladins seem to have to undergo, and I wonder if there exists other similar circumstances that also may have this.

As I have to rush right now I'll have to leave you with this one more question before I go, and again feel free to ask in turn, I'll answer if I can: If it were possible to get an open peace, where the law treated both humans and vampires fairly, do you think it'd be taken? Or do you think that most vampires would take their moment of that system, and try to escape to somewhere in the world where they weren't yet fully aware.

Sincerely,
Antonio Segreti

[Zodiac]

The next couple of evenings were a type of success.

She found him, well actually some of her ‘friends’ found him. It was not hard to track his movements. A small group of homeless people she kept in her employ began to discreetly keep tabs on him and report back to her. Where was he going, who was he talking to. It was one thing to say what he was hoping to do, but actions could tell a different story.

As far as any of them saw, he went about his business like anyone running a company would. This was both reassuring, yet concerning to her. She wasn’t sure why, but it did. A text on her own phone caught her attention.

He is close. Do you wish to see?

She was not doing anything major at the moment, so she replied yes. The location was given and she left.

****
‘Right there.’ The ‘bag lady’ pointed from there vantage point. Personally, Zodiac hated the term ‘bag lady’, but it visually fit the woman in her employ. She looked through the foliage surrounding the Crown Trailer Park and saw him standing just outside the ‘safe’ area for vampires. She thanked the woman and gave her some cash as she settled in to observe.

She had done her own homework on the subject of sorcerers which had a few problems to it considering the only one she had some type of friendship with was long gone now. She knew that standing (or was sitting allowed?) in the wilderness helped them recharge the energies that allowed them to do magic. Just like resting or devouring spirits replenished her own.

She smiled despite herself. There he was, man in a business suit, just standing in the weeds.

‘I’m gonna go home now, unless you need me.’ The ‘Bag’ whispered. Zo hugged the woman and thanked her again. As she left, Zo noticed her normal stride changed. She went from shuffling homeless person to one who moved smoothly and with a purpose. She made her way to a trailer the gypsy kept as a safe place for her spies to rest and slipped inside.

She returned to observing Segreti for a bit longer and as she did, her hand pulled the burner phone from her bag and turned it on. She began mentally dictating a reply to his last message as she kept observing to see if any specific gestures or stances was involved with this.

It is very tempting and easy to fall into the idea that if ‘A,B,C, and D are real, then so must be E,F.G, etc’ I guess it would make sense in some ways, but the truth is I have seen little to no hints of other things being actually out there. I have heard rumors of Werewolves, but have not seen or encountered one or know anyone who has. There are Wendigos and other semi smart things lurking about, but so far they can not be reasoned with (unlike the Jorogomo, and Encantados which do seem to have a fully functioning brain in their heads.) In legends, the Fae themselves were quite sharp of thought. They have zero desire to speak to vampire kind and lash out at me and mine if discovered outside the city limits (and they can do some serious damage.) Demi faes are like their name implies. Half fae, half human. Perhaps a mortal would have far better luck getting information out of them. Sirens too are a tad reclusive.

As for your question, again, I cannot speak for all. Some have invested a lot of time, effort, and money establishing themselves here and would not be so easily moved, while others might consider a clean start elsewhere preferable. Part of the issue was the fact that we breed like roaches. There is simply too many of us in a limited environment. If there was only a hundred of us or less, we would be invisible to the mortal eye and some of our misdeeds would not so easily be discovered.

As for myself, it would not be a question of if I could go, but when. Empires rise, fall, then rise again. Seriously it would not be difficult even now to sneak out of this town with the bare necessities in place to start again. The black market and the underworld do not care if the living or the undead are buying. They just want the money, and you can get a lot of things if you know the right people and if you can grease the right palms along the way. Those concepts were a part of my life before and can be again. Find a place in Mexico or even further south. Make a little shop, serve the locals and stay out of their lives and explore the limits of this type of ‘life’ I have now and do nothing to cause the effect that swept through Harper Rock when vampires first returned. Find and make a ‘one vamp town’ where the vampire can feed from animals and still try to be a person to the world around them.

Is a dream, but hey– sometimes a dream is all you got.

PS. You look quite silly standing in the wilderness in a business suit.

Zo got up and began to move to the back exit of the park. She had seen enough. All he was doing was standing there looking silly-at least to an untrained eye. She pressed the send button and once the message was delivered she turned it off and vanished into the darkness.

[Segreti]

Segreti had learned a great deal about vampires in his time that he'd spent in Harper Rock. About the fae, sorcerers, paladins, blood thieves, mooncalves, undead in general. And while there was little he'd gained, he had also learned the little bit about these creatures called Jorogomo and Encantado. But not enough that anyone would find it impressive. He just needed...more information on them before he could judge anything. He felt they could be, at any time, the turning point between the human and vampire relations. But without knowing anything about them, there was no way to prepare for if they were the enemy. What he did know was they were influential on a personal level, at least the Jorogomo were, if any stories about them were to be believed.

But he always had more to learn. It was the glory of life. Learning. Perhaps it was just his way, an eternal student of reality. That is, however long he continued to live. He'd been offered immortality by a new friend, a vampire, someone who'd offered some interesting advice to him. And a lot of information on vampires. They were trying to make relations with vampires better. And that was something Segreti planned on following through with. She'd given trust in him, and he wasn't willing to let that trust fail. For a man who came to Harper Rock for his own self interest, he sure had changed motivations quickly.

Right now, he was just standing, feeling the power of the forest flowing through him. At least, that's how he was taught to think of it. To pull in the forests power to further strengthen his own. It wasn't uncommon for him to do this. He often overworked himself, and then used anima to give himself more energy, and then regain it through the forests power.

He didn't realize that he was being watched however. He might have been a sorcerer, and a blood thief, but he was not honed with the full senses of a vampire. Or the cognitive awareness of some jedi. Really, he was just a man whose efforts brought him great amounts of power, but not the same that a vampire had.

He would later get a message, another from the 'potential friend' who as it turned out, the new friend he met knew about. He had actually been adviced to talk with her about something but at the moment was going to read.

She seemed to doubt the presence of other beings. Talking about other supernatural creatures and rumors. But that beyond that she didn't think there were any. He'd keep that in mind. He did truly believe there could be for reasons he'd mention. It seemed she believed there was a variation on what some vampires would have if given the option of a new life. As well as her own opinion on the matter. Perhaps things would blow over after a long time. Perhaps she would just leave whenever she wanted. IT really was up to her. True, she probably could find somewhere in the world to go. He imagined there were places where that would be possible.

He paused as he read the last comment and lifted his head up looking around quickly, nobody. No of course not. He stepped outside of the forest trying to get a good look around. But he didn't even know who or what he was looking for. Even if he saw her he might not know. He'd head home before making his response.

Spying on me were you? How very rude of you. Just kidding. Well, sort of.

Anyway. I wouldn't doubt the existence of more things too much. Keep in mind, plenty of people didn't believe in vampires either until they knew they existed. Even people who did believe in the supernatural didn't know about it. Or believe in it. So I'd wager there are things we don't know either. I still can't find out much about these Jorogomo and Encantado. They're very secretive. In some ways better at it than vampires were, for all the efforts from some to hide it.

On a brighter note, I have actually been suggested to contact you about something related to rituals. I've been hoping to try something, it's called Eirines Will I believe. I don't have it up right now. But the purpose is to prevent people from instigating an attack next time I try to set up another 'event.' I don't know yet what exactly to do. Maybe I should just have meetings and inclusive gathering of sorts. Some moments of speakers, comedians, or bands, and let people just be people. The ritual should prevent combat from occurring or theoretically powers as well. I've never used it before, so I don't know. But it'd be worthwhile if it works. Maybe you have a good idea of how this might work? I've never tried it before so there are some runes I'm still unsure on. I have most of the ingredients and I'm getting help for most of those I don't have.

I'm also curious if you happen to be, or know anyone, that would participate in something like this. I'm hoping more public discussions can be made. They don't even all have to be in person. Even just a more common presence over internet forums might help I think. I think people need to realize that in spite of their power many vampires are still very much people.

Sincerely,
Antonio Segreti

[Zodiac]

Another night? Unlike some of her kind who were trapped in a never ending night, she had learned how to survive for limited times in the sun. A helpful way to end some of the suspicions about her. A couple of soldiers had a conversation with her as she was setting the flower boxes in front of her 2 shops into springtime order. The large floppy straw hat and glasses were perfectly normal for what she was doing, and the soldiers were familiar with her eccentricities so it was a brief interruption in her day.

Little things would get her through all of this if she was careful. She continued to set in the flowers without a visible care in the world. Her shops were currently closed to the public, but there was no law saying the owner could not be there to check on things or tidy up, do paperwork, or simply clean up and plant flowers. The shops closing was a hard thing for the mystic to cope with. All sorts of people came to the gypsy during the course of a week, and all of them brought her views of life within the town. Alive or otherwise, the information she would gather while helping them with their problems painted a fair picture for her to study.

Once she had finished, she went inside and locked the door behind her. It was a different view than she was accustomed to seeing. The more valuable bits had been locked away, while the showcases and such were covered in sheets. Once the Convid situation had taken hold, she had a few of her people (herself included) scrub the daylights out of the interiors of her businesses. Now it sat waiting like a memory to be awoken in the silence. Pandora’s was always a bit of a noisy place with the comings and goings, but now it was as quiet as a tomb.

She hated it. Pandys had a life of its own and now it sat aseptic, sterile and silent, and dead.

After cleaning up and putting away her garden tools, she sat in her office sorting through the mail (business may have ground to a halt, but the bills and other mail kept coming like clockwork-so far). Advertisements from supply facilities she dealt with regularly. Who was she supposed to sell this stuff to? She made a couple of small orders to replenish some vital stock, but nothing fancy. Without an income flow, she had to be careful now what she spent on. Not that she was not making money regardless, but she had gone to great lengths to make sure her legit income and her less than legal income never crossed paths. What a mess and all over a stupid virus.

She yawned as she finished up. Limited time active in sunlight. The girl still got tired once the sun was up. She knew she needed to get home and do some serious sleep but never made it out of her chair.

***

When she awoke, she made sure the shop was locked tight and left through the back door. She hadn’t driven. The company van, like the shops, sat doing nothing now. Every other night she started it to be sure it was operational, but to drive it around like a neon sign (which it was painted to do) would be inviting curiosity she could live without.

She dashed through the edge of wilderness behind the Marketplace to her next ‘customer’. The soldiers and police rarely extended the patrols into there. As long as she didn’t linger, she was relatively safe. In a shoulder bag sat a small box (the real reason she was at the shop). She was not late for the exchange, but normally she preferred to be a bit earlier than this.

When she arrived, she found her buyer was not there. While settling down to wait, she pulled the burner phone out to chack for any new messages. She read the new missive and laughed.

Rude? I told you that I would be watching you. I have not survived the game this long by just taking everyone that comes along by their word. Too many times has an open hand been offered to me, only to discover the other hand holds a knife.

She smirked then. Wondering how he had actually reacted to that revelation. The next time she’d lay eyes upon him would tell her a lot. If armed guards were nearby or something to suggest he was on his guard, it would suggest she put the fear of whatever he believed in right to his heart. In a way it was not a bad thing. Despite what she could do when properly motivated, she had a respect and caution when it came to what dwelled in the darkness with her. After the incident at his lecture, she would think he had to have some sense he was a marked man. If nothing, then she’d think him a fool and not worth continuing these exchanges of info.

As far as ‘other things’ are concerned, I never said I doubted. I have not just yet encountered any of them. So, I cannot say they are or are not real. If you have found evidence to prove such things, I would be interested in seeing it. No, I am not from Missouri, but evidence talks and rumors walk. I am an ardent fan of Nessie, but until I actually see her…

Rituals? Ambitious little frog he was, though it would make sense for him be able to cast Eirine’s on a location for the type of conversations he hoped to have. The thing does work, but once he cut his teeth on this one what would stop him for learning others? Ones designed to make others like herself have a bit of a bad night in the process?

Even herself?

Eirine’s Will does work, but it plays no favorites. Anyone, including security staff, police, as well as trouble makes would be effected by it’s power. Once outside its range, it could become a problem. You are not putting the effect on the people, but the area they would sit in. However, it would fit the situation I imagine you are aiming for. Yes, I do rituals. Do you want lessons? I do have lesson packages for sale. Seriously I have conducted classes in the past.

A small reveal, but not enough to narrow it down as to who she really was.

She took a deep breath before finishing her text. He was a dreamer who was having the same dream others in the past have had.

If you had asked me that question even 2 years ago, perhaps I could give you some positive feedback. I was on a TV talk show once, but that managed to get ugly (and it wasn’t my fault). I keep so few tabs on vampires now except for a few who have special places within me. Interviews? Performing? I honestly have no clue who is still out there that would be willing. I did my share of performing in the past as well. Strictly a lure to get people to come see me at my shops (and if they come to see they usually spend money), but that was back when people’s eyes were not so sharp and focused. Willing to accept what they saw was an illusion rather than powers being used skillfully by someone not quite human anymore.

As for myself, I would have to decline. All of that involves announcing to the world what I am. I have lived a life before this happened to me where someone like me was always to blame in situations. My ancestors were never appreciated in history, and their path took them through the joys of being guests of Nazis and Communists. And if I find the more modern versions of those people tearing down my door, I will not meekly accept that fate like my ancestors did. There will be violence, bloodshed and death. If you finally see me, you may doubt I could be capable of such things.

Never assume.

So, with respect, no. I will not be part of anything that reveals myself as a person of government interest to the world around us.

She sent the message and shut down the burner phone as her buyer arrived. Pleasantries exchanged as he inspected the contents of the box. Satisfied, a fat envelop was handed to her, before the pair went their separate ways.