More Propaganda

Ha ha! I finally found something Tina can do from "Confinement": she can write Torpor Propaganda against the Spaniard to be anonymously distributed in all the clubs and bars all over the City. Just so He knows someone is thinking about him. How sweet is that? :-)


The City slips through Your careless grasp,
Your power in question, Your reason in lapse.


Criminals, Hunters and Diablerists appear,
Addicts and Kindred who spread disease draw near.


Your vassals desert You, Your officers break faith,
Your Kingdom in ruin, it's almost too late.


There comes a day where Princes grow wicked,
tired and overwhelmed and burdened and sickened.


Lay down Your sword, go find Your bed,
dismiss Your faithful, lay down Your head.


Only Torpor can bring You peace from this pain.
Save Yourself from ruin. Save us from the same.

Poison Pen

Now we lay him down to sleep

The Spanish Prince in Torpor deep

Drive through his heart a wooden stake

and cheat the Lord, his soul he'd take

Nap Time

"Does this mean the Spaniard and his pleasure-loving whore of a Sheriff are becoming too weak to handle their own City? Nap time for the Prince might be just around the corner..."

It’s half past twelve: time to heed this rhyme
Rest your head for sleepy time


You had many centuries to play and laugh
You got all dirty and had a bath


Three rubber duckies float in the tub
You start singing “rub a dub dub”


Out you come and towel dry
We say it's nap time, you almost cry


The shades are pulled, you sulk to bed
Your eyes are sleepy from the tomes you've read


Your haven secured, your eyes soon close
Your breathing gets heavy and you start to doze


The stake procured, wooden and thin
When driven clean through your slumber begins


Saint or Demon? It matters not.
You'll bother us no more while in Torpor you rot

(Queen of Treason – Muwa ha ha ha ha!)

Lextalionis

Lextalionis: the ancient Kindred tradition of justice where those who violate the laws of the domain must die, and all Kindred within the domain can be called upon to carrying out the sentence.

This is the law that allows a Prince to call a blood hunt; the act of tracking down an alleged criminal for the purpose of justice. The Prince urges each and every member of his populace to participate in the hunt and they are given permission to either bring the quarry back to the Prince's court, or bring him final death where they find him.

If Kindred choose not to participate in the hunt, they won't necessarily be punished, but they certainly can lose status if they refuse the call. If they are caught aiding and abetting the subject of the blood hunt, however, this can result in banishment or final death by execution, at the Prince's pleasure.

Yesterday, at the Elysium, Prince Vidal called for a blood hunt on David Gravois, a neonate member of the Sanctified. While none of our coterie have ever heard of him, we were strongly encouraged to take a key role in the hunt due to Gravois' alleged crimes. He most likely has ties to the vampire-hunters that have taken and staked Edward, and Gravois contacted Savoi and threatened to execute Edward in Savoi's presence. So the general consensus, for what it's worth, is we'll have more info and better luck hunting and finding Mr. Gravois than others might.

Since this is the first hunt I've ever been privy to, and since I don't have a clue where to start, I decided do some research. I was fascinated to find some of the "alternative" methods. Who knows how successful they are, but I'm certainly willing to give these a shot!

• Have local law enforcement issue an APB
  
  
• Have local airports put him on a "no fly" list
  
  
• Freeze his financial accounts
  
  
• Use the Amber Alert system (utilizing radio and electronic roadside messages)
  
  
• Contract with church-sponsored vampire-hunters (apparently a very risky move)

I understand that most hunts end in a high percentage of the criminals being tracked and slain, or occasionally escaping the city (which is usually a death sentence in itself), but either way the hunt is almost always over in a few nights. So we should know the outcome one way or another very shortly.

The other fact I found fascinating is Princes usually only call for blood hunts when their own agents are unable to handle the capture and execution of the criminal on their own. Does this mean the Spaniard and his pleasure-loving whore of a Sheriff are becoming too weak to handle their own city? Nap time for the Prince might be just around the corner...

So, He's a Pedophile???

x
Hey now.... Let's just take it easy on all this "credit where credit is due" stuff, Becky Lynn. I'd prefer to believe this was all your maniacal mind at work. Whooo boy! For as quiet as you were on that ride home, I couldn't have ever guessed all THAT happened in the span of the hour and half you were alone with that head-case. Has he really been following you around for years while you were human? While you were 17 and younger?? So that massively old, über creepoid was stalking an under aged girl? Nice. Not only a predator, but a pedophile.

Frankly, can we just keep my part of any of this debacle on the down-low? I'm starting to have daymares of this getting back to the Prince:

"Dateline, New Orleans; Kindred Tina Baker orchestrates unusual love affair between banished pedophile and the Prince's most beloved pet. When asked to comment, A. Vidal swore ultimate revenge on matchmaker."

Considering his trigger-finger for setting off blood hunts as of late, I'd prefer my name not show up at the top of Donnaven's list. If you can understand where I'm coming from. It might look bad on my Invictus Quarterly Review.

I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news, my friend, but your night of reckoning may still be coming. When I told Alex I was sick with worry over you and this dangerous trip, I all but told him you were completely in love with Vidal. I thought I was helping; getting the truth out in the open so you two could move forward with it and handle it one way or the other. And Vidal "was" the one who called Pearl directly ordering us to escort you home. So I'm almost positive the Spaniard is going to expect to hear an explanation as to why his pet, who is supposedly devoted to him and has such strong feelings for him, would blatantly disregard his wishes and visit a Kindred he banished from his realm...

Might want to start thinking about excuses. The Invictus handbook for applicants has a very handy section on situations such as these. It's called "Cover Your Ass".

Let me know if you want me to accompany you. I do feel partially responsible for the hole you're in. But please, let's keep the fanfare on how I helped you figure all this out, down to a minimum.

Despite his incredible creepiness, I am somewhat happy you seem to have found a Kindred soul in Matheson. But be forewarned: I'll be looking to tempt you with someone else. IMO, he's just not good enough for you. But then, no one will ever be.

Finding Myself

Yes, once again my love life has taken a mighty turn. I guess you could say that Tina knew more than I could ever give her credit for.

So I decided that I was just sick and tired of waiting for Vidal to return my love. I don't know what his problem is. I mean, I can tell he wants me. It takes all his restraint to stop himself from feeding from me when offered. I think he is scared of loving too much and losing himself. Well, I decided I needed to rile him up a bit. What a better way than visiting my dear beloved sire, who happens to be his worst enemy! Vidal also knows that I am not only one drink away from becoming addicted, but one away from being blood bonded to Mr. Matheson. He is always on my thoughts. I also have been trying to find out a little more on my blood lineage. Because Mr. Matheson is so old, nobody knows anything about it but him. So what better reason to go for a visit. I decided to go for a drive.

I let Alexander (Vidal's right hand man) know where I was going, just in case Matheson tried something sneaky. I also told Tina, who thought it was a fantastic idea at the time. Then...she thought about it a little more and had second thoughts. She called Alexander with her worries and made a HUGE deal out of it. Like I am not capable of handling myself! It's sweet and all, but please... have you seen my claws! Anyway, I take off. Ohhhh how my plan succeeds! However, I got a little more than I was planning for.

Vidal sends a message to Pearl demanding that she send her pets Louis and Tina after me to make sure I am safely returned home. He doesn't want to lose me after all. However, I think he might be a little too late.

I arrive and Matheson's house and am greeted by the gentleman that I once knew and loved. He was as regal and handsome as ever! I find that not only has he kept his promise to me that he would better the living standards of his cattle, but he is now paying them as well. Then he makes his move! Asking me if I need sustenance over and over again. Then he goes and slits his wrist letting his enthralling vitae drip into his glass. This is where I needed to make a choice.

Earlier, Tina and I had a conversation about her bond to Pearl. She asked me if I wanted true love, or just something made up and forced upon me for life. This popped into my head at that very moment. She was right! I wanted true love, not some artificial love that I could choose never to leave. I didn't want one sided love from Matheson, Vidal, or anyone else for that matter! I resisted, even though that longing in his eyes made me hesitate in my words. He was very upset and threw the glass across the room. I don't blame him. He misses me and wants me to stay with him. Then I could tell where his true feelings lay. He truly did love me. I asked him not to ask me of that again, and he stopped. Though he told me not to return, in fear that my beauty would force him to go back on his word and ask again. I also found out that he had risked his life in the city following me for years when I was mortal. I asked him if one day he would be willing to bond himself to me forever, if I ever wished to stay with him. He replied by telling me that he would, but neither of us are ready for that step in our unlife. I left Mr. Matheson with a simple kiss to help me remember what I longed to come back to. Well, Tina and Louis finally show up and I go home with them. I know I look delicate, but as they could see I could take care of myself.

Now that it is all over, I think I have figured some things out. I understand why Matheson drank from me and asked me to leave in the beginning. He knew that I could never learn what I needed to about being a vampire banished away with him in the bayou. He knew that I needed to be in the city to experience and discover. Though it hurts him greatly to be away from me, he knows, as do I, that there is still more for me to learn. I am going back to the city, though my heart longs for him more than it ever did. Knowing his true feelings and now understanding his actions, show me what kind of gentleman he really is. I plan on going back to him someday. When we are both ready. This information of course will not leave my lips in fear of what Vidal might do or say.

All in all, I must give credit to Tina where credit is due. She helped me understand what I wanted out of love. She also helped me realized, as I am sure she knew all along, that I was covering up my broken heart with the false love of Vidal. I never loved him. My heart has always been with Mr. John Harley Matheson, and always will.

it's here it's here it's here it's here it's here

It's here! Finally! Peter got it for me in this awesome yellow/orange color. Of course, I have no idea what it looks like in the sun like this – Peter took these pictures for me and sent to my CrackBerry. But it's gorgeous at night under the lights, just the same. God, I just love, love, love it! Got a chance to totally open it up late on Sunday night when Louis and I had to drive out to Matheson's place to pick Becky Lynn up before she went and did something really stupid. She was an hour or so ahead of us, so it was a perfect excuse for me to really put my foot down. I think I averaged about 165 mph on the way out. And it handled like a dream when we hit those tight turns... yummy.

I can't wait to have some fun with it on-track. I think Peter and I can take it over to Raceway Park in Belle Rose (an hour West of here) and run it on their road course. They have night track time on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, so we should be able to pull that off and not see a sunrise :)

Putting the Dis in Disfunctional

Sunday brought all sorts of fun new surprises for me.

When I was given my Vitae fix before the Elysium, I instantly recognized the cloying, sickly-sweet smell of Becky Lynn Adler's blood lurking in the depths of the vessels Darius handed me. I confronted Pearl and demanded to know why, after we had agreed Becky Lynn's Theban magic and sticky Vitae would no longer be a part of my rehabilitation, but I was given no satisfactory answer. In fact, I was told to hold my tongue. I do so love Pearl, but I wish I understood why she makes these crazy decisions that seem to endanger us both. I guess I have to trust she is acting in our best interest. But it's very difficult to suppress my instincts to question and be suspicious... I must work harder at it though, because I know it makes her angry when I try to think for myself.

If I wasn't 99% sure Pearl would deny me all Vitae and force me to suffer withdrawals more agonizing than the final death, I would take matters into my own hands and destroy the two remaining vessels hidden below my cot. But the pathetic, honest truth is, I am afraid to displease her because I don't want to risk losing her love. That scares me almost more than suffering the withdrawals. So I am, again, neutered and forced to follow Pearl's wishes, without any force at all really. I'm so disgusted with myself.

The other "stellar" news I received was that Lou-cifer and Pearl, as suspected, "somehow" managed to talk through their irreconcilable differences (imagine that!) and are now best buds. Who could have predicted that? Oh, I don't know... maybe.. Me??????

Worse still, Lordling Louis has lowered himself to accept a position as applicant to the Invictus covenant, and Pearl has eagerly agreed to be his sponsor. Isn't that just delightful? I'll be serving tea and crumpets on the veranda tonight to celebrate this momentous occasion, so be sure not to miss it.

Of course, wouldn't you know it, as soon as the Heir Apparent was welcomed into our loving little home, Pearl assigned me my first "real" mission, but FORCED me to take Louis with me! As if kick-ass Tina couldn't handle a piddly little job like dragging Addler's sorry ass back from Matheson's house by myself. That was weak. I was pissed! And, of course he whined the entire trip. Did you expect anything else? I almost dumped him off on the interstate as an offering to the Lupine. He's pretty substantial, I bet he would have made a nice starter course for the Boys.

The only really good news was that I was able to escape my "honourable confinement" (read that term in a medieval book LOL) and got back so early in the morning Pearl suggested I stay over here with Peter. And my Nobel was delivered today (it totally ROCKS!). So, I'm brainstorming as we speak to figure out how I can stretch tonight into another night away from confinement...Maybe two or three? Who knows! I'll let you know how that goes.

A Near Miss

Anything you'd like to share with us about this weekend, Miss Adler? I hear it was a pretty exciting Sunday for you...

Conquered and Subjugated

A note I asked Darius to give to Pearl several hours
before we leave for the Elysium.

Why do you keep me at arm’s length? You know I can’t take it. I’ll never survive this. I freely gave you my very heart and soul and all my love and devotion in return for your bond. You know I’m completely yours. Now, and for all nights to come. So why do you repeatedly deny feeding me the very thing that will nourish, sustain, and thrill my being? All I need in this world is your life-blood.

I hate you. I hate myself. I love you more than anything, but I hate what I’ve been reduced to. I hate wanting it, even as I love it and want more.

As ever, I’m consumed with thoughts of the sweet sting of your Vitae; the way it burns my lips and throat and seers my veins like a plague. When I drink from you, for one agonizing, heavenly moment I am closer to you than a lover. I am you. I am alive.

I’m raped by your Vitae and left a hapless casualty on the edge of ecstasy. But it’s always gone before I’m ever satisfied. Just a little more... I always need just a little more...

This must amuse you so: to hold all the cards, to call all the shots, to wield all the power. For I would do anything for your love, and for what lies just below your beautiful, porcelain skin. Just having you near makes me lose my senses, forget my name and sink to my knees in a pathetic mixture of hope and despair. The dream you might offer your arm to me (maybe this time?) and score it with a beautifully manicured nail until the dark, viscus liquid fights its way to the surface to find its new host keeps me perpetually thirsty and semi-conscious during days. If only this time you’ll stop and indulge my thirst. Quench my hunger for your love.

Please don’t make me beg. Please. You’ve already conquered and subjugated me like a rebellious subject. I’ve willingly bended the knee and sworn my fealty (which, I’d happily do formally at your pleasure) – Just, don’t make me beg to share what already bonds us together. What brought us together. I need to share your life to continue mine. I’m so in love with you.

Pearl, I need you.

Your most devoted servant,




(PS: Darius lent me some markers and stationary.
I hope that was OK)

We've Only Just Begun

See Becks? I knew you were totally upset. I knew you were hurting. But in my haste to figure out the problem and try to make things better, I went and jumped to incorrect conclusions, even with the evidence I thought I had, and drove a wedge between us. And over what, that crappy Spaniard? Not worth it!

Don't take this the wrong way, but you are so 18! And you desperately need a boyfriend to take the edge off all these feelings. I can help you with that. But seriously; if you really, really want to try to make a go of it with Vidal, if he really means "that much" to you (and you SWEAR to me you're not targeting him as a Daddy figure because you just basically lost yours and you're looking for: comfort, guidance, direction, protection, fatherly love, discipline, whatever!) then I will help you attempt to get him.

If we're going to get him for you, we don't send you in blind with these lame strategies of sappy teenage devotion and weak attempts at bullying him. We need to do some major homework. Recognisance missions targeting everyone that has dealt with him to get every possible detail of his life, his former loves, how he operates, what he looks for in what types of relationships, what turns him on, what turns him off, etc. etc. Then, armed with the exact recipe you can go in confidently and seduce him like a grown up. Not grope at him awkwardly like a pre-pubescent teenager. Savvy?

Is that what you want? I think you'd have SO much more fun with a younger guy that wasn't so stuffy, religious, pious and totally self-centered. I can't even begin to imagine how boring this guy's sex life must be like... But I'll keep my mouth shut and just help you if you want help. Whatever you want. My promise to you, from the New and Improved Tina™

Now. Be a good girl and put that gun down. You'll blow a hole in your head and lose brains you just can't afford to lose. And then when I can see sky through the hole, I'll have to drop "Princess" and start calling you "Airhead".

::grin::

Devil in the Red Dress

Oh yeah, you'll be a huge hit in that little red number, Diabla. If Kindred normally sweat, they'd be sweating...

I liked the black Zac Posen dress for me too. But I got out-voted by Pearl. She said it would be inappropriate for an Invictus (candidate) to show up to an Elysium in a party dress. Especially considering my station (that I am a mere mentor representing a Primogen). I need to be dressed like a professional apprentice. I think my days of being the "Devil in the Red Dress" and the center of attention are on hold for a while, sadly. (Guess I'll be passing that honour to you, Becky Lynn!)

She said I can save the black dress for a "real" Invictus party, so at least I have that to look forward to. And the gold Julien MacDonald is just pure Daeva, don't you think? But as long as Pearl is in the room and I'm thralled to her, I don't think I'll ever be getting my hands on that one. Trust me, she's a crazy, jealous bitch. (Not that she isn't my everything. I think about her every waking moment... but she's still scary crazy.)

She chose the long, black Givenchy/Riccardo Tisci jacket with the black ascot tie and the slouch leggings for me to wear on Sunday. And asked me to find a closed-toe boot. I liked these below, but I suppose she'll choose the third one (the Fendi's) or the first one maybe? She's hard to predict. The middle is just too B/D for Invictus. I'll do my hair like the other Riccardo Tisci jacket ensemble pic; conservative and a little severe with it pulled back slick and tight in a pony tail. Oh... I LOVE getting dressed up! (Even if I didn't get my first, second or third choice.) I love getting out of Prison even more!!! Ha!

Finished!

I am done and finished! So. I tell Vidal all about my problems and he does nothing! So. I finally get a meeting with the Prince to let him know my issues. And nothing! I LOVE Lancea Sanctum and I Love him, but I have these feelings that I just can't shake. I am constantly thinking about my BFF Tina and my Sire Mr. John Harley Matheson. Well of course it is because I had nobody to tell me what this whole vampire thing was about. I was new and lost. I drank a few too many times from these people and now I can't get them out of my head. Plus, I tell him how they are BOTH Invictus and BOTH hate Vidal and the Sanctum. Tina is constantly teasing me about drinking from her again. I'm afraid! They might try and make me drink from them again. Then, I will become like Tina, a slave. They might take me away from my Prince! They might make me join the yucky Invictus! So...I tell this all to Vidal and all he tells me is to fight the urge! He doesn't care about me! He doesn't care if he loses me! If he did, then he would help me and let me bond to him! Then I would be safe and he could drink from me when he needed. I'm pure! I mean come on! I even have virgin blood. Your not going to find one of me just walking down the street! What more could a Lancea Sanctum member want! I'm perfect! Oh God! What am I going to have to do!

Hmmmm

Let's see...Well, I love them all! However, since I will be wearing red (my favorite color to wear)I would vote not to wear the red dress.

I LOVE this one.

The gold one is beautiful too, but not appropriate for church.

No need for Peter to go out. Thanks a bunch though! I am friends with the designer Lauren Conrad in the U.S. I called her and she has made me this one. With red lips and a 1940s style, it will definitly make the boys sweat! Simple...but very me.

XOXO,

The Louis Maddox Project Extended by Popular Demand

Oooh... don't give me this false modesty crap! You "are" aware you've made an amazing impression on Pearl. You are most definitely aware of the power you have, the talent she desperately hopes to harness and the cards you hold.

So don't try to play me. I'm on to you V-boy. If I had half a brain, I'd be polluting Pearl's with the "real" truth about you. But no. Instead, unbelievably, I'm back here wasting my time, trying to orchestrate peace talks between two world powers who are childishly arguing over who insulted the ghoul-slave first. As if anybody really cares! WTF. You know this is just a big power trip between the two of you...

If I still had the sense the good Lord gave me, I'd tell Her Excellency that you never wrote me back. But there's still a small, soft spot for you in my dead, rotten heart. So here's what I'll do. I'm going to tell her you'll approach her at the Elysium. You won't apologize, but you'll mention how unfortunate it was Darius got the wrong impression regarding your conversation the other night. And you'll suggest everyone take a deep breath and start over again. Bring her a rose. Be a gentleman. You're a Ventrue, you should be able to figure out how to do that.

I'll work on her from this side. But the charm will have to come from you at the Elysium. Got it? If you blow it, you're on your own from now on, Big Boy. So don't blow it. We are going to have a blast together, and there is so much potential for us to become outrageously rich, and disgustingly powerful. I, for one, am not turning my back on this opportunity.

So, I'll see you Sunday. Wear something exquisite. It occurs to me that if she's not into you as the son she never had, she might just be into you. She is a Daeva, after all.

He who would search for pearls

Pearl asked if I would talk with you one more time before she gives up on the 'Louis Maddox Project' entirely.

Heh...were those her words? That's very cute.

Regarding the Meeting Incident:

Meeting incident? *chuckle* I wasn't aware that I had made such an impression.

Though the timing issue was meant to be a small test to demonstrate you have a genuine thirst to be involved with the Invictus, she said she would have compromised easily on it.

I imagine she would have, unfortunately her secretary was working under a different mindset. Due to some prior scheduling conflicts and the two hour notice I was simply not available at midnight. My suggestion of an hour later at 1am was met with some rather off-putting demands that I was not being asked to attend but that I was being told. After this, I sincerely apologized that I would not be able to make the meeting, and asked that he please pass on my message and number to Pearl so that we could re-schedule.

What set her off was the report that you were being condescending to Darius.

I find this thoroughly interesting. If I remember correctly, I was on the receiving end of being Told what I was and was not going to be doing that night. I honestly don't recall anything I said during that conversation that could have come off as condescending. Perhaps the mere fact that I was declining his demands upset him? Thinking back... he did sound quite agitated, my guess would be he does not receive that response very often so I can see how it could be construed poorly.

..Even though Darius is her retainer, he speaks for her. And if you disrespect him, you are disrespecting Pearl.

Hopefully I have thoroughly addressed this issue above and will leave it at that. The scheduling conflict that "she said she would have compromised easily on" and the message I received were markedly very different. If she is having some misunderstandings with her subordinates I wont hold it against her. When it comes to the face of your organization and how it is being represented, it is best to keep a close eye on things. Someone here is missing the mark, so perhaps a quick team meeting can get everyone back on the same page.

She wants to know how serious you really are about joining.

As I have told her in person, I am interested.

She isn't convinced you are.

That is unfortunate.

In the end, all business operations can be reduced to three words: people, product and profits. Unless you've got a good team, you can't do much with the other two.

Just Be Careful, That's All I Ask

OK, OK! You said nothing! I believe you. It's just odd how it goes from you asking for help for yourself to Vidal wanting to know who the addict is in his city... doesn't make much sense.

If you trust Pearl and think she's on the up and up with you, you're mistaken. I keep telling you, don't trust anybody. "I" don't even trust her. Pearl will act to save herself and damn everyone else in her wake. Just like every other kindred in this town. Don't get taken in by this "I'm just trying to get her clean" crap. She trying to get me clean because she now has an indentured slave that can do her bidding. She doesn't care about me. She cares what I can do for her.

Anyway. Let's just forget about it and move on. I'm sure there will be plenty more weirdness as these assholes pit us against each other. Just remember, nobody really is what they claim to be.

Well Fooy!

First of all....I told Vidal NOTHING! Don't you think if I had, then he would of come after you instead of asking Pearl who it was? He might of read into what I was saying though. I never mentioned you or even that I know someone who is blood addicted. HOWEVER....I did mention that I was concerned about myself and asked if there was anything that could help? Then I asked that if there were something, if it was only for Lancea Sanctum members. So...if he went straight to Peal, I don't know what to tell ya. As it is...I might get in trouble for telling you that much! I am NOT ratting you out, only trying to help you. I would not get in trouble for giving you vessels because Vidal trusts Pearl and she wanted me to do this for you. You are on th road to recovery according to her. Though I appreciate you worrying about me. I am also not being used. I am Lancea Sanctum, and am acting like one. Just like you are TOTALLY changing for your little Pearly Poo.

XOXO,

Elysium this Sunday

Since the Spaniard made Elysium mandatory this Sunday (jackass), I figure we might as well make the best of it and dress to make those bastards drool. So I had Peter help me pick out a few favorites (let me know what you think!) and as soon as my beloved gives me her OK (yah, I crossed her the other night and went a little too far with my smart mouth. She slapped me! And, "I" didn't do anything back. I just took it. I even apologized. Can you imagine? It was a Tina-all-time-low. But that's what I'm all about now, with my Red Leash and my "M" LOL)

Anyway, let me know what you guys think of these. Becky Lynn, I want to see what you're wearing too! Peter will go to New York to pick up from Zac or Ricardo or London for Julien, so let me know if you need him to pick up something for you.







































































From the top: Zac Posen, Zac Posen, Givenchy (Riccardo Tisci), Givenchy (Riccardo Tisci), Julien MacDonald

A Message For He Who Walks On Water (Yes, You Louis)

Louis,

You were right. We can't meet at the Elysium (I must stay by Pearl's side all night or she will "set fire to me" -- her words, LOL), and this room I'm being kept in is being monitored closely. But I can write to you from my Blackberry, and receive emails back.

I won't lie. Pearl asked if I would talk with you one more time before she gives up on the 'Louis Maddox Project' entirely.

Regarding the Meeting Incident: Though the timing issue was meant to be a small test to demonstrate you have a genuine thirst to be involved with the Invictus, she said she would have compromised easily on it. What set her off was the report that you were being condescending to Darius...

Even though Darius is her retainer, he speaks for her. And if you disrespect him, you are disrespecting Pearl. The Invictus teaches us to have a superior attitude to the "help", which I mentioned, but she said absolutely no one disrespects "her" help. I reminded her we are neonates just being mentored and don't know all the subtleties, but she wasn't buying it. She wants to know how serious you really are about joining. She isn't convinced you are.

So Dude. It's time to put up, or shut up. If you want in, this is your free ride. You won't have a faster line up to the top. She "is" the top. And that means the least amount of time spent on the bottom. And believe me, everyone that joins spends time on the bottom, and it's not pretty. But that's the way the convenant works. You pay your dues, and you (hopefully) get paid off in the end when you're ruling the masses from your precipice. Taking advantage of this chick's offer to fast-track you is definitely in your best interest.

Between you and me, Pearl mentions you ALL the time and it annoys the fuck out of me. "Louis this" and "Louis that" and "Do you think you can get Louis on board?" and "Would Louis be willing to be involved?". It's crap! I'm doing my damndest to get noticed, and all she can do is talk about you. Louis, Louis, Louis! Louis, the Ventrue Over-Achiever!

I can't really say I'll shed any tears of blood if I can't talk you into calling Pearl for another meeting, which is what she wants me to do. Because if I don't, I'll have all her attention to myself without you hogging it up. And, I won't have to share the limelight with you during all the special projects she keeps mentioning that she wants us to partner on together. It's not like I can't handle them myself without some snotty Ventrue screwing them up anyway.

So, it's totally up to you Loui-cifer. But would you do me a favor? Give me a definitive answer, one way or the other, so she can either whine about the amazing candidate she's losing and move on, or build her Golden-Boy-Chosen-One a frickin' guest house stocked with blood dolls and 0- pints. I just don't get what she sees in you. She must have wanted a Ventrue son or something.

Can I get your answer before Elysium please. If that won't put you out too terribly much. Either decide to do it, or move on. If you do it, I promise you, there will never be a dull moment. And you will have a new sister that will always have your back. Despite the sibling rivalry. Come to the fun side Louis. The ruling class...

T

Tangled Webs

Becky, Becky, Becky.

Oh, what tangled webs we weave when first we practice to deceive...

::grin::

Just so we're clear – I know we left this whole thing a little rushed and weird last night. Basically, I didn't know what was up, but I knew "something" was up by the way you were acting after your little confession session with the Spaniard, and how you reacted when I threatened you with the Revelation. Only people with secrets worth keeping react that way. But that's cool. We've all got our secrets to keep.

The real problem cropped up when Pearl informed me that the Spaniard approached the Primogen wanting to know who the addict is in his city.

So I have no proof of what exactly you said, but you said "something" that endangered me, and Pearl, who is protecting me and trying to cure me. At this point she's in deep and will go down just as hard as I will if he finds out she's harboring me. Look. I know you got the hots for this guy, but for once in your un-life TRUST ME! Selling your friends out is not going to get you any closer to him. He's not taking you to his bed with each rumor and secret you sell him, is he? No. He is USING YOU. Please, Becky Lynn: open your eyes and understand who your true friends are.

I did something for you last night, even though I was pissed. I insisted Pearl not use you to make the blood vessels for me anymore. That was a hard sell, and I almost shot myself in the foot and cut all my vitae supply off. The thing is, she was willing to let you continue to supply me, and if things go south with me, let you take the hit with the Spaniard and the LS as the "supplier to the addict". Probably wouldn't look good on the old resume, would it? So I flat out refused to let you be used like that anymore. I had to lie and manipulate the situation a bit, but I love you too much to see that happen.

I hope that makes some sort of impact with you. Don't sell me out for your perceived gains in bed.

If you want him "that" bad, let me HELP YOU. First, you joined the wrong club. Priests don't bang nuns from their sanctified churches. Gross. He probably wants a little nasty on the side, if you get my drift. But you've got to do some homework and find out what does it for him, and become that. THINK like an alter-boy, Becky Lynn.

Slave to the Vitae

A cousin from Atlanta sent me this. It has many human references, but addiction is a universal pain; it affects kine and kindred the same way. Once you're hooked, you're hooked. Right Becky?

Addicts

Come on down to my corner
For you, doll, only the best
It’ll be fine
Draw a line
I’ll worry about the rest

You think your addiction is private
But, honey, that ain’t true
From teens to queens
Wall Street scenes
They order the same as you

All it takes is money
Desperation and time
To get loaded up
On good stuff
Though the cheap sells by the dime

This’ll take away your worries
For minutes, maybe years
Time will tell
Withdrawal’s hell
And dealers don’t take tears

This bag is for the junkies
With no preference or pride
Garbage heads
With shabby threads
Just living for a ride

So we call it “Porneia”
For the sweaty and confused
And they’ll be back
For another track
‘Til all their time is used

“Storge” costs a little more
And it isn’t very strong
But the buzz is sure
And if it’s pure
The effects are all lifelong

Here they don’t buy “Agape”
I couldn’t give it away
Down on their knees
For a disease
Self-serving, they obey

Those are not the killer drugs
“Eros” takes that prize
Though it grows anywhere
To find it is rare
Too good for my supplies

From first taste they’re all addicts
Down and out, in pain
Willing to kill
For one more pill
Booting a guttered vein

And, doll, you’re doomed to rebound
You’re either hooked or dead
To not want joy
Will just destroy
Your living soul instead

So, sit down by the alley
We’ll watch the neon glow
Having life beat
On the street
We, the addicts, know

(Addicts by Abby Peterson, Camarilla #: US2002023203 from her Margaret Calloway Bellemore Vampire the Requiem Blog, published here with her permission. Be sure to check out her other work, it's amazing.)

Kumbaya

There "is" something very important you can do for me Princess, and I almost forgot about it. If I play my cards right and get myself out of here on Monday (a big "if" I guess), I will be watching over my shoulder for that crazy Gutterball Nosferatu who wants to put me in traction because I told YOU about the deal he made with Louis and I (that I was suppose to keep on the D.L) and then YOU went straight to the crazy MF and told him you knew all about it and what could you do to help! Aaargh!

So now you've got to do something to calm him down before he's singing Kumbaya around a campfire in my honor. Can you bake him blood cookies and talk sweet to him like only an Adler could? Lately I'm facing torpor and final-death so often, I'm starting to lose count.

2nd Stage Vinculum: A Short Primer

Heh heh heh...

Oh, now, come on Becks. We've shared some really good times. Two, to be exact. You may hate the way I act. The way I despise Vidal. The way I disregard the Sanctimonious. But you can't get me out of your mind. And what's even better? You don't want to. You play our little spats over and over in your head, and dream about how we could be more intimate... how you could get more of my attention. How you could get me to love you more.

I don't even doubt that adorable little picture you just sent was actually displacement for the feelings you have for me. That you're longing to complete the bond, with me as your domitor and you as my thrall. We can even dress up with the cute little leash and collar around your neck if you're into that. I will allow it.

You know where I am when you're ready.




PS: if you EVER bother to listen to ANYTHING I tell you, this is the time to do it; DON'T TELL VIDAL HOW CLOSE YOU ARE TO BEING VITAE ADDICTED!!!!!!!!!! I swear to God, you won't be able to manipulate him half as well as I've manipulated Pearl, and you see how far that's gotten me. For the love of all that's sacred to you, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF! Seriously, just keep it to yourself. I'll help you if you want my help. But you're underestimating how serious of a deal they make of it, and how little you can do about it. From what I've heard via Pearl, Vidal has no patience or sense of humor about addiction at all... Don't make the mistake I made. I should have never told anyone.

How Rude!

I think you need lessons on how to get what you want! First you dare to call me "Rat Queen", then you ask me to keep a secret! Your unbelievable!

When it comes to Vidal and Lancea Sanctum, you have no clue. The Primogen are there for a reason! If Peal is taking care of your problem, then Vidal will trust her. There is no need to bring it up unless it becomes a problem. I was ONLY trying to help! I thought there might be something that we could do for you. That's fine! I will ask him to help me in case it happens to me. AND I WON'T SHARE IT WITH YOU!

Have fun begging your MASTER!

Hush

Becky Lynn Adler.

You just don't get it, do you?

Augusto Vidal will not tolerate addicts. If you "tell" him I have a problem, he will hunt me down and stake me. Or worse, considering the tenuous relationship we enjoy. Don't let your ego cloud your vision; you have no sway over the Prince, and he loves me not. If you share this with him, or Alexander, or Donnaven, or any others in their faction, I am as good as final-dead. And "sorry" won't save me then, good Sister.

Miss Chastain certainly isn't going to give me permission to Embrace someone for the purpose of indulging my need to get high... are you insane? And if my plan gets back to your Prince, I'll be hunted down even faster. So please, if you really hold any love for me or my well being, keep your beautiful mouth closed and let this be our little secret...

Yes?