A veritable roller coaster of a night, this evening.
First, I met with Vincent. I made a point of mentioning this Giovanni to him, especially when he mentioned that the Giovannis were dangerous and that two had already been removed. I explained what we had seen (the hanging bodies and the blood collection containers) and how quickly the Kindred we encountered was able to neutralize Max.
Acquiring all of the necessary information, Vincent sent a team to investigate it. He also mentioned that, should it turn up something good, I will be put in a splendid light. I actually had not considered it, but I know that I can use it to my advantage. We also discussed my joining the Carthians.
Simply enough, I am a Carthian now.
Next, I made my way to Marcus's, skirting the house and heading back onto the boat. We discussed his affairs, briefly, before launching into the subject of the discussion - Agnes.
It seems as though her desire, and her promise to try, to remain with the team was - I do not like the word "hollow" for this, as it sounds too cruel - perhaps more appeasing than sincere. She has chosen to undergo proper training from the Consilium, as most of her skill with magic was self-taught. This means that she will no longer be part of the team, nor will she be going out into the field.
It was a blow, but a softened one. On one hand, she will be kept busy with whatever training becoming a proper mage no doubt requires. On the other, she will still be around.
He said something that confused me, though, and it made me wonder.
"You were the only one who was allowed to get close to her."
I thought back through our interactions since she discovered that I knew her secret. Hostility at the first, then a sort of resignation. It wasn't until that business with the artifact's destruction that I saw how vulnerable she truly was (unless, of course, it was another layer to hide behind, but rather than continue to be paranoid, I will work with my assumptions).
I am not at all certain that she had ever had anyone fight that hard for her for anything. Her first mentor, all that time ago, may have fought to keep her as his, but that could hardly be considered the same. I don't want her to stay as property, I just simply want her to stay. I was logical, I was persuasive, I was comforting all in turns when I needed to be.
It clearly wasn't enough.
Before I left Marcus, I made certain that he would make sure she remained safe. Given her track record with other Consilii, I wanted to be sure. He assured me that all would be well, that he was far less of a monster than his maker was. I nodded, thanked him, and left.
Now I am home, sitting in my office. While the sounds of Basie, Coltrane, and Ellington fill the room, I am simultaneously penning my thoughts and restructuring roles in Ultor, now that one of my main players is out of commission. All told, I believe that I have won a fairly substantial victory and suffered only a minor setback.
*the above was penned with a resigned hand, the following is more resolute ((consider John Hancock's signature on the Declaration of Independence))*
I am Geralt Dessalines, a Texan Ventrue. I am stubborn, I am driven, and I have nothing but time.
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