My Viola does not let me down.
Not only did she bring home a decent meal (which, incidentally, earned her a little extra Vitae), she also brought me a bit of interesting news - it appears that some members of Nox were out at Invidie after what Henry tells me was a successful mission.
Good that they're starting this early.
I need to get in touch with Cyril, see how things are going now.
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Friday, March 21, 2014
December 7th (Early Evening)
The past couple of days have almost been enough to make me go to a Sanctum service.
Almost.
Apparently Heike, one of the members of Nox Team, desperately needs access to a library detailing what they're up against. The only one with a library like that in humane driving distance is Marcus. I gave Massena permission to refer her to Marcus, though it throws into sharp relief how reliant I have been on him. He, himself, claims that our friendship is something he actually cares to keep. I just need to start developing even more resources so that requests like that can be handled in house.
Which, to be fair, is part of the reason Nox exists.
I suppose, on a purely truthful level, Nox is an experiment with several facets. What happens when we unlock human potential to a point where they develop near-supernatural power? What happens to mages when they Awaken? Is there something that draws Kindred to certain people for the Embrace? What triggers a first change in a werewolf? Is it possible to subdue most supernatural species without killing them? I want to find answers to all of these questions - and then learn what to do with them.
Nox are all of these steps combined into a giant package. The team themselves are the near-supernatural component. They will be acquiring and assimilating all of this information over the course of their missions. We'll get to see what hunters, empowered by their bloodlines, are capable of doing.
Though that dream could be short-lived. I was told by Henry that two members, Heike and Louis, had a verbal altercation in the middle of our lobby. Henry also told me that he handled it, so I'm attributing it to a fluke caused by the extreme amount of stress all of them must be feeling.
I spoke with Marcus that evening, two nights ago now, I believe. My concerns were addressed quite positively. Easy meeting. After another couple of meetings, I just went home and skipped going to the office.
Last night, I was able to watch a short training session of Nox. I find myself very happy with the progress.
Almost.
Apparently Heike, one of the members of Nox Team, desperately needs access to a library detailing what they're up against. The only one with a library like that in humane driving distance is Marcus. I gave Massena permission to refer her to Marcus, though it throws into sharp relief how reliant I have been on him. He, himself, claims that our friendship is something he actually cares to keep. I just need to start developing even more resources so that requests like that can be handled in house.
Which, to be fair, is part of the reason Nox exists.
I suppose, on a purely truthful level, Nox is an experiment with several facets. What happens when we unlock human potential to a point where they develop near-supernatural power? What happens to mages when they Awaken? Is there something that draws Kindred to certain people for the Embrace? What triggers a first change in a werewolf? Is it possible to subdue most supernatural species without killing them? I want to find answers to all of these questions - and then learn what to do with them.
Nox are all of these steps combined into a giant package. The team themselves are the near-supernatural component. They will be acquiring and assimilating all of this information over the course of their missions. We'll get to see what hunters, empowered by their bloodlines, are capable of doing.
Though that dream could be short-lived. I was told by Henry that two members, Heike and Louis, had a verbal altercation in the middle of our lobby. Henry also told me that he handled it, so I'm attributing it to a fluke caused by the extreme amount of stress all of them must be feeling.
I spoke with Marcus that evening, two nights ago now, I believe. My concerns were addressed quite positively. Easy meeting. After another couple of meetings, I just went home and skipped going to the office.
Last night, I was able to watch a short training session of Nox. I find myself very happy with the progress.
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
December 4th (Early Evening)
My attempts at damage control have been thwarted by paperwork.
I had been so distracted in reading Henry's notes on Nox team's performance that I was genuinely surprised when Viola knocked on my office door to inform me that dawn was only an hour or so away. She then reminded me that, if I was willing, it was time for her dose of Vitae.
Even the mystically bound display ulterior motives. One could easily become jaded.
Still distracted, I motioned her over to me and idly slashed at my wrist. This I offered up to her, willing out just enough Vitae to keep her sated, to maintain her perfect form...and obedience. I pulled my wrist away, sealing up the gash motioning her to stand there, silently. No doubt there was an expression of hurt or confusion on her face...
...but this was interesting.
Sequential electric light explosions, mysteriously moving toy train, black fog that knocks a person out? Who knew this thing had that sort of power?
I looked up at Viola and, that little bit of attention turning her expression joyful, pulled her onto my lap. I told her to take the car and to go home, that I would be along later through my usual method. I didn't tell her what I was doing, nor where I would be going. As I watched her walk off, I marveled at her capabilities. Somehow, she kept hours with me, slept a few hours at home, and still managed to field requests during the day. Either she's extraordinarily gifted, or she takes a lot of power naps.
As for me, I grabbed my coat, cane, and Stetson, left and locked the office, and made my way out onto the lands I could now claim as mine. My request had been approved by the Prince. As long as I could protect the projects, and expect no Camarilla assistance in doing so, I could claim them as my feeding grounds. In our little neofeudal Kindred society, I had just become a landed noble.
And all moves according to plan.
In the remaining time before dawn, I made my way to Greenbriar and stood outside for a long time. Whether at the beginning or ending of my hunting career in Chicago, or even now, months after my semi-retirement, this little building continues to be a beacon, a nexus of sorts. The first gear any of us saw, the assault by Taraton, the formation of the team, Dr. Gale...it all started here. So many events tied to this one location....and now, it housed one man I needed to save somehow, and one man who would soon come to know far too much.
As the sun's corona peeked its way over the horizon, I walked through a door in the alley and into my bedroom at the mansion. Tomorrow night would be soon enough. I would work on my end, Massena would work on his.
Absolutely nothing could go wrong, right?
We'll have to move quickly. It's time for a phone call.
I had been so distracted in reading Henry's notes on Nox team's performance that I was genuinely surprised when Viola knocked on my office door to inform me that dawn was only an hour or so away. She then reminded me that, if I was willing, it was time for her dose of Vitae.
Even the mystically bound display ulterior motives. One could easily become jaded.
Still distracted, I motioned her over to me and idly slashed at my wrist. This I offered up to her, willing out just enough Vitae to keep her sated, to maintain her perfect form...and obedience. I pulled my wrist away, sealing up the gash motioning her to stand there, silently. No doubt there was an expression of hurt or confusion on her face...
...but this was interesting.
Sequential electric light explosions, mysteriously moving toy train, black fog that knocks a person out? Who knew this thing had that sort of power?
I looked up at Viola and, that little bit of attention turning her expression joyful, pulled her onto my lap. I told her to take the car and to go home, that I would be along later through my usual method. I didn't tell her what I was doing, nor where I would be going. As I watched her walk off, I marveled at her capabilities. Somehow, she kept hours with me, slept a few hours at home, and still managed to field requests during the day. Either she's extraordinarily gifted, or she takes a lot of power naps.
As for me, I grabbed my coat, cane, and Stetson, left and locked the office, and made my way out onto the lands I could now claim as mine. My request had been approved by the Prince. As long as I could protect the projects, and expect no Camarilla assistance in doing so, I could claim them as my feeding grounds. In our little neofeudal Kindred society, I had just become a landed noble.
And all moves according to plan.
In the remaining time before dawn, I made my way to Greenbriar and stood outside for a long time. Whether at the beginning or ending of my hunting career in Chicago, or even now, months after my semi-retirement, this little building continues to be a beacon, a nexus of sorts. The first gear any of us saw, the assault by Taraton, the formation of the team, Dr. Gale...it all started here. So many events tied to this one location....and now, it housed one man I needed to save somehow, and one man who would soon come to know far too much.
As the sun's corona peeked its way over the horizon, I walked through a door in the alley and into my bedroom at the mansion. Tomorrow night would be soon enough. I would work on my end, Massena would work on his.
Absolutely nothing could go wrong, right?
We'll have to move quickly. It's time for a phone call.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
December 2nd (Early Evening)
Oh, what a twisted web we weave...
Reports came back on Jason Myers, the psychic that Nox brought in. Would you believe he had undergone a pharmaceutical trial only a week before he started displaying his powers? Weylan Pharmaceuticals....Cheiron.
Oh, but it gets better.
Bloodline analysis on Nox team also made its way to my desk. About as I'd figured, but then the red flag for Lucas Birch caught my eye. Apparently, the good ex-Ranger has a very unique, highly dangerous, still very potent ancestor. Replying to Messena's request for how to handle it, I informed him to tell Birch what he needed to know, but to keep the full identity a secret.
Time to do some pre-emptive damage control. And quickly.
Reports came back on Jason Myers, the psychic that Nox brought in. Would you believe he had undergone a pharmaceutical trial only a week before he started displaying his powers? Weylan Pharmaceuticals....Cheiron.
Oh, but it gets better.
Bloodline analysis on Nox team also made its way to my desk. About as I'd figured, but then the red flag for Lucas Birch caught my eye. Apparently, the good ex-Ranger has a very unique, highly dangerous, still very potent ancestor. Replying to Messena's request for how to handle it, I informed him to tell Birch what he needed to know, but to keep the full identity a secret.
Time to do some pre-emptive damage control. And quickly.
November 11th (Early Morning)
Our first candidates for Nox team have been fairly successful in their assigned training operation. They successfully acquired a non-hostile psychic with minimal problems and minimal collateral damage.
I have hunters and they've brought me a psychic. This whole thing might actually work.
I have hunters and they've brought me a psychic. This whole thing might actually work.
August 9th (Early Morning)
That was surprisingly simple.
It's amazing what a small bit of Kindred blood is capable of. With it, I can, without embellishment, shoot a fly off the table without scratching the finish. I can open doors between here and the other side of the world. No lock can stop me, no room can contain me. With a thought, I can make a crowd adore me. At a glance, I can discern the weakest person in the room, the one most like to harm me, the one who is most afraid. I am more durable, I am faster.
I can bend others to my will.
It's this last one that is fraught with peril, though the crowd influencing can be just as bad. Purely from a human perspective, what good is forced affection? What purpose friends, when relationships can be empty?
And yet...
To many of my Kindred, friends are a weakness, a burden, an opportunity for betrayal. While I strive to feel otherwise, I know that it is all too easy for one who knows what I am to use that information to betray me, either to my end, or to another Kindred who seeks to destroy what I have chosen to protect. To that end, and because she is dear to me....I turned Viola into a ghoul.
My sire explained the process to me, and it is amazingly simple. Feed the subject a bit of my blood, and, with a bit of focused effort, I have a devoted servant, addicted to...me.
After she came by on the fourth, we discussed many things. Without going into details, by the end of the night, I had acquired a delightful companion and a very beautiful, highly useful agent-slash-secretary.
Win-win for Gavin and Geralt, I'd say.
We have our first round of results back from various blood tests we've processed. A few candidates that bear watching. I'm reveling in the quiet that persists after the God Machine incidents and find the ability to focus my attention on Ultor to be a nice change of pace from the constant conflict and haphazard planning.
Good Lord, I've only seen thirty-seven years, but I sound positively elderly.
I doubt I will write again for some time.
It's amazing what a small bit of Kindred blood is capable of. With it, I can, without embellishment, shoot a fly off the table without scratching the finish. I can open doors between here and the other side of the world. No lock can stop me, no room can contain me. With a thought, I can make a crowd adore me. At a glance, I can discern the weakest person in the room, the one most like to harm me, the one who is most afraid. I am more durable, I am faster.
I can bend others to my will.
It's this last one that is fraught with peril, though the crowd influencing can be just as bad. Purely from a human perspective, what good is forced affection? What purpose friends, when relationships can be empty?
And yet...
To many of my Kindred, friends are a weakness, a burden, an opportunity for betrayal. While I strive to feel otherwise, I know that it is all too easy for one who knows what I am to use that information to betray me, either to my end, or to another Kindred who seeks to destroy what I have chosen to protect. To that end, and because she is dear to me....I turned Viola into a ghoul.
My sire explained the process to me, and it is amazingly simple. Feed the subject a bit of my blood, and, with a bit of focused effort, I have a devoted servant, addicted to...me.
After she came by on the fourth, we discussed many things. Without going into details, by the end of the night, I had acquired a delightful companion and a very beautiful, highly useful agent-slash-secretary.
Win-win for Gavin and Geralt, I'd say.
We have our first round of results back from various blood tests we've processed. A few candidates that bear watching. I'm reveling in the quiet that persists after the God Machine incidents and find the ability to focus my attention on Ultor to be a nice change of pace from the constant conflict and haphazard planning.
Good Lord, I've only seen thirty-seven years, but I sound positively elderly.
I doubt I will write again for some time.
July 4 (Late Evening)
America.
A quiet night in is exactly what I needed. Viola invited me to a party with her friends, but I declined. A night of fireworks is no longer all that appealing. Rather than see me alone all night, she offered to come over after she left her party. She's due here any time.
It has only been a few short months, and I know that one in my position should aim for the long view, but if I've learned anything since my Embrace, it's that just because we are given tools to rise above humans, that does not mean that we are any less susceptible to our final end. So I find myself working quickly to enjoy a more relaxed pace later on. In that regard, I think that tonight I will enact my plan.
Ultor is fully up and running. We've even had our first requests for blood analysis come in. As a new lab with lower processing fees, I'm unsurprised that so many would flock to us. I'm looking forward to seeing what we're able to discover.
I visited the marker again last night. I simply sat there, unmoving, for several hours. I think my sire tried to tell me something, and I think my phone rang once or twice before I turned it off. As I sat there, I found myself amazed that someone I had known for such a short time could have this effect on me. From when I arrived in Chicago to the end of the fight with Birkin was only a span of two or so months. That's usually not even long enough to develop a good friendship, let alone a sense of family that some of us had fallen into. A highly dysfunctional, neurotic family, but a family nonetheless.
Ultor's going to have to tread carefully with this first team. Give them direction, but no step by step outline of procedure. Let them work together, let them succeed, let them fail...let them grow. Start off as a team, with a clear leader, and everyone knowing where they stand. Whatever we find in regards to their potential, don't let them get out of control. Teach them to respect themselves, each other, and the world around them, human and supernatural alike.
All it is is a couple of miracles, right?
Guillermo's come by a couple of times (to see me specifically, he comes by more to see Viviana). We'll sit, talk, drink, and laugh until nearly dawn, usually about nothing of consequence. I think I'm being observed, but I don't mind the company.
This week, Oliver will start training the two fireteams that we are able to fund. With some of the cream skimmed from the Soul's Army cache, plus the arms we've been able to acquire from various sources, the two should be sufficient to keep an eye on one team.
I plan on putting in a request to the Prince to claim the projects and the areas surrounding Ultor as a personal feeding ground, mainly to protect those that live there. I have not forgotten the Daeva, Sophia, or her unthinking predations on the people of Greenbriar. We're going to protect them, uplift them. I believe that my actions in defending Chicago give me a bit of capital I can spend, plus a bit of standing in the Camarilla, even though I am not as enmeshed in the politics as others. We'll see.
A quiet night in is exactly what I needed. Viola invited me to a party with her friends, but I declined. A night of fireworks is no longer all that appealing. Rather than see me alone all night, she offered to come over after she left her party. She's due here any time.
It has only been a few short months, and I know that one in my position should aim for the long view, but if I've learned anything since my Embrace, it's that just because we are given tools to rise above humans, that does not mean that we are any less susceptible to our final end. So I find myself working quickly to enjoy a more relaxed pace later on. In that regard, I think that tonight I will enact my plan.
Ultor is fully up and running. We've even had our first requests for blood analysis come in. As a new lab with lower processing fees, I'm unsurprised that so many would flock to us. I'm looking forward to seeing what we're able to discover.
I visited the marker again last night. I simply sat there, unmoving, for several hours. I think my sire tried to tell me something, and I think my phone rang once or twice before I turned it off. As I sat there, I found myself amazed that someone I had known for such a short time could have this effect on me. From when I arrived in Chicago to the end of the fight with Birkin was only a span of two or so months. That's usually not even long enough to develop a good friendship, let alone a sense of family that some of us had fallen into. A highly dysfunctional, neurotic family, but a family nonetheless.
Ultor's going to have to tread carefully with this first team. Give them direction, but no step by step outline of procedure. Let them work together, let them succeed, let them fail...let them grow. Start off as a team, with a clear leader, and everyone knowing where they stand. Whatever we find in regards to their potential, don't let them get out of control. Teach them to respect themselves, each other, and the world around them, human and supernatural alike.
All it is is a couple of miracles, right?
Guillermo's come by a couple of times (to see me specifically, he comes by more to see Viviana). We'll sit, talk, drink, and laugh until nearly dawn, usually about nothing of consequence. I think I'm being observed, but I don't mind the company.
This week, Oliver will start training the two fireteams that we are able to fund. With some of the cream skimmed from the Soul's Army cache, plus the arms we've been able to acquire from various sources, the two should be sufficient to keep an eye on one team.
I plan on putting in a request to the Prince to claim the projects and the areas surrounding Ultor as a personal feeding ground, mainly to protect those that live there. I have not forgotten the Daeva, Sophia, or her unthinking predations on the people of Greenbriar. We're going to protect them, uplift them. I believe that my actions in defending Chicago give me a bit of capital I can spend, plus a bit of standing in the Camarilla, even though I am not as enmeshed in the politics as others. We'll see.
May 28th (Early Morning)
A busy month, and no time to write in this little thing.
I find my attention divided between building my own powerbase, maintaining relations with my team, hunting a mage for Cyril, and a half dozen other things.
Viola, the girl from Desire, and I have met multiple times since the last time I wrote. Charming, beautiful girl. My beast finds her beauty and allure appealing. It wants to use her, devour her, move on to the next. The man wants to cultivate this, to see if he is too far gone for romance to reach him. Gavin enjoys pulling out all the stops, letting his dashing, willed-to-appearance-change stubbled dazzle her...while all Geralt is considering is how to utilize her.
Honestly, that I am able to speak to her dealing with all four people in my head at once is astounding.
I've not told her what I am, yet. I may never have to. For now it is nice to simply be...normal.
There's been no word from the pack about the industrial district. I'm not surprised, since one of their own was killed on my watch. I'd close ranks, too. However, if I've not heard anything by the time we get our first team started, I plan on making that among their first assignments.
The Camarilla proceeds apace. After the shake up right before Traven, things seem to have calmed down a bit. There's been some shuffling among the quieter covenants, the Sanctum and the Circle. They're poised to gain a stronger presence, if they do it right.
In terms of Ultor, construction is well under way, both above and underground. I'm hopeful that we will be up and running by July, though I'm told there have been a few snags with zoning issues. Easily enough fixed, either by money or other means.
Henry Massena, the man from Texas, is an interesting character. He claims to be descended from Quincey Morris, one of the major players in the most infamous altercation with Dracula. I explained to him what we were doing, and what I was planning to do with it. He seemed quite interested in the idea of confirming lineages, and unlocking each person's own potential. I did not tell him about the rest of it, and I'm not certain that anyone will ever find out.
At any rate, Henry will become our Director of Lineage Discovery and Acquisition. Fancy department name for what will eventually become one of the oddest collections of hunters anywhere.
Once we finally open, we can begin our collections. I'm finding myself excited and ready to get this going.
History will become my playground.
I find my attention divided between building my own powerbase, maintaining relations with my team, hunting a mage for Cyril, and a half dozen other things.
Viola, the girl from Desire, and I have met multiple times since the last time I wrote. Charming, beautiful girl. My beast finds her beauty and allure appealing. It wants to use her, devour her, move on to the next. The man wants to cultivate this, to see if he is too far gone for romance to reach him. Gavin enjoys pulling out all the stops, letting his dashing, willed-to-appearance-change stubbled dazzle her...while all Geralt is considering is how to utilize her.
Honestly, that I am able to speak to her dealing with all four people in my head at once is astounding.
I've not told her what I am, yet. I may never have to. For now it is nice to simply be...normal.
There's been no word from the pack about the industrial district. I'm not surprised, since one of their own was killed on my watch. I'd close ranks, too. However, if I've not heard anything by the time we get our first team started, I plan on making that among their first assignments.
The Camarilla proceeds apace. After the shake up right before Traven, things seem to have calmed down a bit. There's been some shuffling among the quieter covenants, the Sanctum and the Circle. They're poised to gain a stronger presence, if they do it right.
In terms of Ultor, construction is well under way, both above and underground. I'm hopeful that we will be up and running by July, though I'm told there have been a few snags with zoning issues. Easily enough fixed, either by money or other means.
Henry Massena, the man from Texas, is an interesting character. He claims to be descended from Quincey Morris, one of the major players in the most infamous altercation with Dracula. I explained to him what we were doing, and what I was planning to do with it. He seemed quite interested in the idea of confirming lineages, and unlocking each person's own potential. I did not tell him about the rest of it, and I'm not certain that anyone will ever find out.
At any rate, Henry will become our Director of Lineage Discovery and Acquisition. Fancy department name for what will eventually become one of the oddest collections of hunters anywhere.
Once we finally open, we can begin our collections. I'm finding myself excited and ready to get this going.
History will become my playground.
April 17 (Late Evening)
One month later, I am hit with a night of reflection.
I am resolved to maintain a friendship, but to give up any intentions of taking said friendship further.
For now.
Today was the groundbreaking ceremony for Ultor Corporation. Through sheer force of will (and full body covering clothing) I was able to attend, to speak...to endure the violent, harmful sunlight and act...human, for a little while.
I can almost remember the feel of sunlight without it burning.
It was a good ceremony, pomp, circumstance, consternation over the location. We chose to build in the projects for a few reasons: 1) revitalization - The best way to improve conditions in a place is to improve the appearance of the place, 2) convenience - Most of the Ultor powerbase is here already wrapped up in the Soul's Army, 3) necessity - The projects are littered with underground chambers that we can adapt to our advantage.
Also, I am, as we've all seen, a huge fan of irony.
Here, my love affair with the city of Chicago began. I wandered into the projects and saw far more than I ever expected to see. For all its twists and turns, my path has been remarkable straightforward in hindsight. I start actually hunting in the projects, and I (mostly) retire from hunting in the projects. The story comes full circle.
I haven't slept decently in a month.
I am pulled in two different directions by Viviana and Guillermo. My sire believes it is best to, now that my humanity has been shaken, shrug off the rest of it and save myself the pain, anguish, and wasted time such feelings bring. Guillermo, on the other hand, pressures me to maintain my humanity for as long as possible, relishing in the pain because once it is gone, it is gone forever and there is no way to get it back.
No way for most people, but I will return to that later.
And so, I walk a fine line. The beast needs his due and the man needs his care. The beast is unleashed and focused upon business dealings. In that way, I can be ruthless and cutthroat without permanently damaging someone. The man takes care of my team, my people, and my friends. I still find myself with more of the man in control - and maybe that's not such a bad thing after all.
I've set up a marker for Max, since I left his body behind. It's behind the mansion, just a little rock that most would miss. Sometimes I go out and spend hours just talking to it, alternately remorseful and raging. Not particularly helpful, I'm certain, but we all have our anchors to keep us sane, this is mine.
I've checked in, briefly, with the team. Nadya is swept up in preparations for graduation and work with her new club. I'll probably throw her a party, invite her friends. Now that Ultor is in the process of being built, Mark is preparing to quit the force. He'll join with us as head of security full time. Guillermo is...Guillermo. Flitting about, doing this and that. He says he'll be ready to work when I need him, and I'll trust him on that. Greyson's enigmatic as ever, Chronos is...Chronos...and Rose seems to be looking forward to taking on a position of responsibility in Ultor.
Cyril is not getting any better, and I am having no luck in finding a mage that I can kill without repercussions. I have my backup plan, but I am loathe to consign another to a fate akin to mine.
Agnes is... *lots of scratching*
I met a lovely young woman at Desire the other night, on one of my many attempts to get out and see people. She's an actress between jobs and has a college degree in business to boot. I am supposed to meet her tonight again, for drinks and idle chit-chat.
There's a man in town who's been looking for me. A Texan, who says he might have skills that we need in Ultor. I have his number, and his name. Henry Massena. I plan to contact him soon.
Time for my date.
I am resolved to maintain a friendship, but to give up any intentions of taking said friendship further.
For now.
Today was the groundbreaking ceremony for Ultor Corporation. Through sheer force of will (and full body covering clothing) I was able to attend, to speak...to endure the violent, harmful sunlight and act...human, for a little while.
I can almost remember the feel of sunlight without it burning.
It was a good ceremony, pomp, circumstance, consternation over the location. We chose to build in the projects for a few reasons: 1) revitalization - The best way to improve conditions in a place is to improve the appearance of the place, 2) convenience - Most of the Ultor powerbase is here already wrapped up in the Soul's Army, 3) necessity - The projects are littered with underground chambers that we can adapt to our advantage.
Also, I am, as we've all seen, a huge fan of irony.
Here, my love affair with the city of Chicago began. I wandered into the projects and saw far more than I ever expected to see. For all its twists and turns, my path has been remarkable straightforward in hindsight. I start actually hunting in the projects, and I (mostly) retire from hunting in the projects. The story comes full circle.
I haven't slept decently in a month.
I am pulled in two different directions by Viviana and Guillermo. My sire believes it is best to, now that my humanity has been shaken, shrug off the rest of it and save myself the pain, anguish, and wasted time such feelings bring. Guillermo, on the other hand, pressures me to maintain my humanity for as long as possible, relishing in the pain because once it is gone, it is gone forever and there is no way to get it back.
No way for most people, but I will return to that later.
And so, I walk a fine line. The beast needs his due and the man needs his care. The beast is unleashed and focused upon business dealings. In that way, I can be ruthless and cutthroat without permanently damaging someone. The man takes care of my team, my people, and my friends. I still find myself with more of the man in control - and maybe that's not such a bad thing after all.
I've set up a marker for Max, since I left his body behind. It's behind the mansion, just a little rock that most would miss. Sometimes I go out and spend hours just talking to it, alternately remorseful and raging. Not particularly helpful, I'm certain, but we all have our anchors to keep us sane, this is mine.
I've checked in, briefly, with the team. Nadya is swept up in preparations for graduation and work with her new club. I'll probably throw her a party, invite her friends. Now that Ultor is in the process of being built, Mark is preparing to quit the force. He'll join with us as head of security full time. Guillermo is...Guillermo. Flitting about, doing this and that. He says he'll be ready to work when I need him, and I'll trust him on that. Greyson's enigmatic as ever, Chronos is...Chronos...and Rose seems to be looking forward to taking on a position of responsibility in Ultor.
Cyril is not getting any better, and I am having no luck in finding a mage that I can kill without repercussions. I have my backup plan, but I am loathe to consign another to a fate akin to mine.
Agnes is... *lots of scratching*
I met a lovely young woman at Desire the other night, on one of my many attempts to get out and see people. She's an actress between jobs and has a college degree in business to boot. I am supposed to meet her tonight again, for drinks and idle chit-chat.
There's a man in town who's been looking for me. A Texan, who says he might have skills that we need in Ultor. I have his number, and his name. Henry Massena. I plan to contact him soon.
Time for my date.
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