Night Two

This time I didn’t have to follow another Kindred to locate the others.  Strangely enough I knew that they were meeting and just where it would be.  In contrast to nightclub this time they were in a warehouse.  An interesting place to declare Elysium.  Ha see I’m beginning to pick up more on the culture.  Thanks to Lord Reynolds I finally received access to a wealth of knowledge.

Now he was someone I didn’t meet until late in the night.  When I first arrived at the warehouse or the current point of Elysium it was nearly empty.  There appeared to be some sort of meeting going on between a few high-ranking members.  Not wanting to intrude I turned to go but they called me over. 

Surprised and awkward but still curious I sat down.  I immediately recognized Donovan McQuin and his matchstick.  Yes every time I’ve seen him now he had a match between his lips.  Part of me wants to ask about it.  I don’t on the remote chance he’ll light it.  The thought of fire makes me nervous.  It is the same for a small flame on a matchstick.  Sometimes it’s worth it to tempt fate.  This is not one of those times.

Joining him was four other Kindred.  To my left was an English Daeva with a vulgar but friendly attitude I really enjoyed.  I originally pegged him a Mekhet and he looked at me as if I had spouted horns.  From now on if I’m attracted to a Kindred I’m just going to assume he or she is Daeva.  He went by the name of Jim Beasily.

Across from me was a vampire in a police uniform and sunglasses.  He was introduced to me as the Sheriff of Chicago.  The glasses hid his eyes so it was hard to discern much about him.  The pride he took in his duties was obvious.

There were two others and I believe they both were Mekhet’s.  They lived up to their nickname of Shadows is all I can say.  At one point the talk turned to covenants and one of them tried to sell me on the Carthian Movement.  Apparently they have the best parties, best drugs and the best women.  The last boon made me smile but I’m not interested in becoming a Carthian. 

During the course of the talk I learned that Donovan had been in Chicago for year.  In the span of that time he had risen to a respectful position of Harold.  He talked about his rise in power in such a roundabout way to hide his obvious bragging.  There was talk about whether he deserved the title of the Seneschal.  A Greek word that Kindred use to describe The Prince’s most trusted advisor.  I could tell that Donovan truly felt he did deserve the title.  Even with his calm and open manner his ambitious are clear.  He is one that sneaks up from behind before it is even realized.

For the time being I remain unaligned to any covenant.  It was mentioned that all of the various covenants will be attempting to sell me on joining them.  They can try if they wish however all I want to be in is Invictus.  Not only because it was one of the last words my sire spoke.  The power of the city and beyond is alive in the Invictus.  The might and the strength it contains I want to sample for myself.  True I have very humble origins but to be part of an organization as striking as Invictus would raise me above all that.

Donovan was not encouraging regarding my unspoken aspiration.  Like me he would like to count himself as among the Invictus.  He said that for a year now he was been under tutelage to become a member.   A year is a long time.  Yes time ceases to have as much meaning as much as it once did.  Yatta yatta.  I’m still an impatient guy.  I might have to wait a while even before I’m accepted as a pupil.  If I have to wait, I have to wait.  The price of admission is worth the reward in end.

One last bit of advice was given to me.  It was recommended that I hide my infancy from other Kindred.  Seeing that it might cause them to look down on me.  As if my constant stupefied expression in the face of all this had not done it’s own damage.  Soon the rest went away to their various tasks and it was just Jim and I.

Easily he had me both smiling and then laughing.  A wonderful thing considering I had not been able to for over a month.  He was a dragon, not the type that breaths fire.  Thank goodness.  Dragon is the affection nickname for a member of the Ordo Dracul.  He was also the youngest Kindred I had meant so far.  Only 14 years old and that made me feel less alone.  Even though he was more evaluating me as a rival then actually building a friendship.  

As we talked he told me a harrowing tale about being caught in Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans.  In the superdoom was the only time he had seen someone die.  The memory of it still had an emotional effect on him.  So clearly he was not in the habit of killing his prey.  I was relieved to hear this, as the one death on my conscious is enough to bear. 

Looking into my eyes he smiled and told me his method of finding blood. 

“Look deep into their eyes, smile and take them into the back room.  They won’t even remember what happened.  Go for a pretty girl or a boy if you are desperate.”

I could see what he meant.  At that moment I would have happily gone anywhere with him.  I nearly told him that my desire for the genders were opposite of his.  I decided not too as there is no reason to go there if I didn’t have to.  Just for God sake’s his eyes …

As we talked more colourful characters began to filter in.  First was what appeared to be a young girl carrying a small stuffed dog.  Every part of skin that I saw on her was horribly scared including her face.  The expression she had was vacant and outright disturbing.  The others around me didn’t even seem to notice and that was strange in itself.  Surely this is not something you see everyday.  Is it?  I tried not to stare not wanting to be rude.  Who knows how old she was in actuality.  My natural reaction was to help her if could but the emptiness in her was frightening.  Eventually she wondered away to stare directly at a wall.

The second one I really noticed was a Nosferatu named BlackCat with a strange disfigurement.  Most Nosferatu are cursed with marks of their Beast and this one had a huge nose.  He spoke in a gruff voice that was lightened with humour.  I personally really like the Nosferatu and him most of all.  It’s their honesty that I appreciate.  Even more so when it's combined with a blunt nature, which sees things as they truly are.  They are so beyond pretence and anyone else’s bullshit. 

The first impression however wasn’t so enlightened.  Uneasy I proceeded to make a fool of myself by stumbling over my own name. Laughing he questioned if I was sure about that.  Jim patted me on the shoulder.

“Oh that’s Adrian.  He’s a bit of a nervous bloke but all right.  He’s new.”

More Kindred began to filter into the warehouse.  I watched them cautiously.  Two couples are worth noting.  There was Sonny supposedly another Daeva who felt it was appropriate to refer to our clan as ‘cockroaches’.  This unnecessary remark prickled the hairs on the back of my neck.  He was either married or dating to his companion.  At point he complained that she didn’t allow him to feed on female kine out of jealousy. 

There was another couple who I wasn’t to meet until later.  They were a dignified duo that featured both a walking cane and top hat.  The female of the two seemed emotionally frail as she clung to her protector’s arm.  I couldn’t quite see what was happening but she feared for him in one way or another.  

At one point BlackCat came up behind me and stared to sniff me.  This was curious but I allowed him that and hoped I passed the smell test.  I was asked how old I was and remember the advice from earlier I responded that I was 10 years old give or take.  Jim visibly flinched but didn’t say anything.  To not mention my age is one suggestion I wish I had disregarded.  A lie tends to lead to another and then the truth comes out.

After that I left to clear my head.  Not to mention I was deeply hungry.  Animals had sustained me but that blood stopped short of satisfying my cravings.  Taking a chance I decide to follow Jim’s advice in finding blood.  Just walking down the street, a small distance from the warehouse, I was approached by a college student.  He had become lost in the city and wondered if I had a map.  I told him I would help him find his way.  Instead I smoothly I led him into the back of an alleyway and bit into my first mortal neck.  I had practised enough on stray cats to be able to make only a small cut.  What is there to say about blood?  Drinking it brings a thousand orgasms at once that takes over your entire soul.  I never wanted to stop but caution came through.  Licking his neck closed the small wound I made. 

Afterwards he seemed limp so I helped him into a 24-hour diner and bought him some soup.  I told him that he had a very bad case of the flu and he seemed to believe me.  When I rose to leave he grabbed my arm as if he didn’t want to let me go.  I pried off his fingers and left without looking back.

When I got back to the warehouse Jim was at the front of crowd of Kindred.  I watched him enjoy his debate regarding the musicality and poise of modern rap music.  Silently I stayed off to the side and just watched everyone interact for a while.  At times just observing serves me well.

The crowd was varied but the mobster look seemed to a popular choice.  As in a straight lined black suit with the addition of sunglasses and the quintessential mobster hat.   Jim was debating with one dressed as such.  That particular gentleman had the addition of female Kindred draped all over him.  I expected to see a Tommy gun appear out of nowhere at any second.

That is one gun I am certain Shane owns, as there is no better embodiment of a mobster than him.  I glimpsed the man himself in the back of the warehouse for a moment.  I certainly didn’t want to stare to long and have him notice me.  There was some literature on a current contest that he was interested in.  If he did compete especially in the statue contest I wish I had seen it.  Right now I’m still taking it step by step.  At some point I’ll be ready for the contests.  After reading a bit he left.

My attention was brought back to BlackCat.  His joke about sparkling people being easy pickings at a Twilight seminar made me laugh.  Even if I was the only one who seemed to get it.  As far as monsters go he seemed like a very friendly one. 

Eventually I was noticed.  A man named Louis St. John pointed me out as the guy with the tie.  I was glad I decided to wear my skinny black tie over my pink shirt.  We waved at each other and after a moment I walked over to talk to him.  With that open attitude naturally he was Daeva.  I pointed to his eccentric tie as evidence and he granted me that.  The guy with the broads was staring at the back of my head.  I was annoyed but calmed myself enough to ignore it.  A mental note was made.

St. John and I chatted for a bit.  I got the distinct feeling that was a man who one who had the knack for learning all the little secrets.  A man who has his fingers in everyone's pie.  Not that he would state the secrets but knowing he knew them would be enough to show deference.  Picking his brain would be fun.  If at all possible.  About that time was when I meant the Harpy.  He was highly sarcastic and seemed completely immune to what was said about him.  I was marked down in his little black book.  With my first name only I believe. 

Not long after that I was introduced to Roger Lafferty.  Since the first night I have been trying to find him.  His title is Daeva Priscus of Chicago and I believe that means he is the head of my clan.  He took me in very carefully as if trying to devise something about me.  My nerves stood at attention but then he broke off and offered his hand.  I received his contact information and he promised we would talk further at a later date. 

Jim suddenly jumped up as if startled.  I asked what the matter was and he responded that there were gunshots.  He went off to investigate and I decided I was comfortable where I was.  Trouble would find me as it was always does.  There was no need to chase after it.  A good deal of the Kindred followed his example. 

It didn’t take to long before Jim came back saying he wasn’t sure what was happening.  As he sat back down someone else joined us.   Someone who I wish I was in a better position to impress.  He was a high-ranking official of the Invictus.  He did tell me his name but when I offered my hand it was rebuffed.  Uncomfortably I leaned back into my chair and Jim grinned.  A reaction undoubtedly brought on by nerves.  Either that or he smiled as it proved his point that the Invictus are not much fun.

St. John asked the Invictus official for his opinion of me.  He approved of my wardrobe but disliked my method of greeting.  My tongue was annoyingly paralysed in my mouth.  I couldn’t ask him about steps I might need to take to please him.  Although on second thought I don’t think it is quite time yet.  I have to prove myself one way or another before I even have the right to ask.

As if out of thin air The Prince appeared.  My first instinct was to jump to my feet in respect but no one else did so.  I followed their example.  We all remained seated and she stood over us so perhaps it was proper that way.  As before she was spellbinding.  I watched her as she gushed about a ‘fabulous party’ she was planning on holding soon.  From what I could gather the party had an official component to it.  All of the acknowledged were to be formally introduced to the city.  I have yet to reach that level.  Which is fine.  I want to earn my position.  Not just have it handed to me.

Jim requested permission to play piano at the party.  The Prince became excited about that and there was a big fuss about procuring a piano.  I watched her and tried to understand what was really going on.  There had to be more than what appeared.  How could she be so concerned about such small things when such big things were happening?  I glanced at the Invictus official and he just shrugged as this was to be expected. 

Without raising his voice he said he knew of a piano but The Prince didn’t hear him.  I drew her attention to him.  Which I pray wasn’t a fumble on my part.  He told her about the piano and that was settled.  The talked turned to other Prince’s and their rules.  Prince Grace as it turns out doesn’t require visiting Kindred to check in with her.  She neither has the time or the desire to devote to such things.  Really it was all just so boring.  All that was boring being the Prince’s greatest foe it seemed.   

I learned more about St. John and his history in Chicago.  A man of many trades he has held many positions to various Princes’.  Apparently at one point he was a Harpy and announced the sexual habits of one of the Prince of Chicago out loud.  She had been fooling around with a guy Prince Grace related to the molesting uncle everyone seems to have.  The kind that sits you on his lap and gives you popcorn with a hole in the bottom.

We all laughed at that.  I tried to inquire more about the previous Prince and how they were overthrown.  I still wonder, as it seems to be a secret that goes untold.  The Prince’s next request for us was to name the fakest vampire we know.  I asked her to clarify and she said someone who isn’t what they seem.  The Harpy was an easy target for all matter of insult as they didn't seem to stick.  I don’t presume to know who is the fakest of the Kindred.  However I also wonder if the The Prince is more than she seems.

I watched her and wondered and I saw her doing the same to me.  We silently regarded each other as more excitement went down outside the warehouse.  Once again the warehouse emptied out but The Prince stayed behind.  Was she so confident in her security to handle the situation?  Or was her absence deliberate as they followed her orders out of sight.

“Sounds like fun times are going on out there.”  Prince Grace said still in her flippant manner.       

“Or it could be Shane.”  I responded a bit worried for the safety of his victim and by extension myself.

“Well that is also fun.”  Prince Grace responded and her tone was dark.  For that moment she stopped fluttering.  For a split second I could see that there was something knowing in her eyes.  I could see the ruler that she was or could be.

As she moved away so did I.  Again I saw the little girl from before.  The one covered with the scars.  I asked her if she was alone.  She answered in third person gazing at me.  Confusing me at first before I understood.  Undoubtedly she knows how to care for herself but it’s still worrying, as she appears so young.

The last encounter after a night of so many was with BlackCat.  After here about my interest in history he offered to tell me about his.  He claimed to be older than Christ.  Although he never meant Jesus’s acquaintance despite wanting to.  He told me about his travels with the Roman Cavalry which was very interesting.  However I was more concerned in the immediate history.  That was declared irrelevant by someone so old. 

Genuinely curious I asked him how he could be so old and not go mad with all that was in his head.  To which he replied that it was not a problem.  I then wondered what was his point or what was he striving for?  He asked if a goal really was necessary to have?  That answer surprised me.  The chance to succeed at what I set my mind too is reason enough for me to live.  If I didn’t have that then what would I have? 

I told the Nosferatu these thoughts and I think I might have surprised him as well.  Assuming surprise would be possible from someone who had seen so much.  Before he could respond to me Sonny interrupted us.  Shane had shot someone for some reason in the face with a flare gun.  That was an act Sonny took exception to on account of the sheer brutality.  Personally I think once you get in the habit of shooting people on a regular basis you are capable of anything.  

Before we dispersed for the day I spoke briefly to Lord Reynold.  I mentioned my modest talent for drawing.  This prompted him to tell me about his library which would benefit from some art.  I was very eager for both the knowledge the library would hold and for the job.  A card with the address to the library was handed to me.  The library has been very helpful to me in finding out more about the niceties of Kindred society.   

I still have many questions about the Kindred themselves.  If I wait all will be revealed in time.  I might be young but that is one thing I have learned.  Demanding answers never works but waiting for them to come to you does.  There is a wonderful web in this city of personalities and motivations that need unravelling.  Bit by bit it will all become clear.