NationStates Jolt Archive

"She'll still have to knock on the door, and I'll know if it's the right her." He replied, "And it's my afterlife, unless the Prince has a reason for keeping me alive that I don't know about..."

"I am glad you are enjoying the art work, Tark." Aeschia smiled at him.

Aeschia was a little nervous about showing him the two under the tarps, but she decided she would. She was proud that Michelangelo took the time to paint her, after all.

"These," Aeschia began, "are paintings of me. Michelangelo insisted on painting them, and of course, I was honored." She informed Tark.

The first one was a portrait. A stunning portrait. "This is a portrait he painted of me. I must say I do love it." Aeschia added, as she removed the tarp.

"This second one is, well, it is a painting of me, however it is a reclining semi-nude." Aeschia told Tark, feeling a bit awkward. She removed the tarp over that painting as well. Also very stunning. She was reclining nude, however a red piece of silk was draped over one shoulder, one breast, and the genital area.

Aeschia cleared her throat and stepped back a bit, wondering what Tark thought of the paintings. They were so well done, and she was grateful to Michelangelo for painting them. She was one lucky woman.

Aeschia also wondered if Tark would ask for any of the pieces in The Michelangelo Room.

Tark was genuinely surprised when Aeschia revealed that the two hidden paintings that had been guarded by the tarp were in fact portraits of her. Having lived during the time of Michelangelo and in the same areas, he was taken by surprise that he did not know of these works of art. They must have been privately done just for her... he thought as he began to examine them.

Any shame or nervousness that Aeschia was feeling was completely unnecessary. Tark was entranced by the beauty of both the art and the portrayal of her in the picture. It was truly a sight to be hold as she looked as lovely as ever. "They are stunning!" he proclaimed.

"Thank you Tark. Michelangelo was such a remarkable painter. He asked if he could paint me and I was so honored! I told him of course he could paint me! There are actually three more of them at my ex's home. I did not bring them all along. They are various poses that Michelangelo wanted to try out." Aeschia was beaming. "It is not everyone who is lucky enough to have their portrait painted by Michelangelo." She smiled.

"If I ever should have turned someone, it should have been Michelangelo, so that he could continue his works; rather than...", Aeschia's face went ashen, "well, that doesn't matter anymore."

Aeschia had a look of utter distress on her face, and went to sit down on a bench. Those memories haunted her at times, and the feeling of guilt she sufferred made her absolutely sick.

Boaz sat in his apartment flipping through the channels. He was bored out of his wits. Usually around this time he had girls calling him and wanting to come over. He wondered what Jade was up to. I was so close Boaz sighed. He decided to do a scan of the building. He noticed that there was a kindred named Gabriel downstairs. Boaz said aloud, "I never realized there was another vampire in this building." Boaz thought to himself, Perhaps I should pay him a little visit. Boaz made his way to his way down to Gabriel's apartment.

"Three more!?" Tark exclaimed quite excitedly as he was enthralled by the pictures. He turned to face the subject of the remarkable portraits. "I would have so liked to see the full set as these two are amazing. And no, it is not everyone who gets to be painted by Michelangelo... hell, it is much closer to not anyone than not everyone."

Despite her change in mood and dejected feelings, Tark didn't really notice even when she sat down with an distressed look on her face. The paintings seemed to be so captivating and entrancing that he paid no heed to his normal activates of studying people's attitudes and body language.

"You should have taken them all..." he continued. "Why leave your ex with such a stunning memory of yourself."

"Well, I will be taking the other three, I just did not take all of my possessions at this time, as I have been traveling a lot, so I did leave much art back with my ex for the time being." Aeschia explained. "I am very lucky. I often wonder if I had turned him, and he had still been working on his art, what masterpieces he would have created over time. My guess is they would be phenomenal." Aeschia mused aloud.

"Tark, have you ever turned anyone?" Aeschia asked, reminded again of that horrible painting, and the one man she turned, and how it was the biggest mistake of her life. "I am curious."

"Maybe..." he mused about whether she should have turned Michelangelo or not. "He might have made numerous masterpieces, but then again, if he was still alive and painting and sculpting for the past few centuries, his works would be so widespread that they would no longer be as special. It's the law of supply and value: the lower the supply, the higher the value," Tark explained, as he genuinely wondered about the question.

Abruptly, Aeschia interrupted his thoughts with a forward question, "Tark, have you ever turned anyone?"

"Hmm... I would rather not talk about it," he said, not giving away the answer one way or another. "Nor would you, I assume," he added with a hint of knowledge and understanding of her thoughts/experiences.

"All right then." Aeschia replied to Tark. "Is there anything else in particular you would like to see?" She was a little bit angry at his refusal to tell her anything meaningful about himself. Talking to Tark seemed to be like talking perpetually to a stranger.

Aeschia sighed... "So?"

Now noticing Aeschia's highly dejected attitude, Tark walked slowly over to her, his cane clicking on the marble floor, and then sat down next to her. "There are some things we all wish to keep private," he explained, hoping Aeschia understood. "We all have our secrets and regrets."

"Am I not right? Do not you have something you regret and wish to keep secret from the world?"

"It is not just that, Tark. You seem to be secretive in many ways... as if you do not want me to get to know you." Aeschia sighed.

"Sometimes, it helps to talk about your regrets... to have an ear to listen." Aeschia looked at Tark.

"I feel that you are trying to keep me at a distance." Aeschia continued, "Is that the case?" She looked up at him questioningly.

"Of course it is not the case," Tark replied reassuringly. "But I, like most people, do not want to reveal certain things about myself. I think that you can relate to the feeling..." he said with an air of confidence.

"I am the way I am - it is my nature to be so." He didn't want Aeschia to feel as if she was being left in the dark or deliberately lied to, but his openness was very restricted and he wasn't going to change it in a day...

"I see." Aeschia replied simply.

"I see." Aeschia replied simply.

ooc: Sure did give me a lot to work with... :p

Tark let the silence linger for a moment as the two sat without a word passing between them. Eventually Tark stood up and looked down at Aeschia. "So... what shall we do now?" he asked now that he had spent hours looking at her art.

ooc: That is her reaction... what can I say? :p

"Well Tark, I do not know. What would you like to do? I have nothing in mind," Aeschia told him, with a bit of a feeling of spending all this time with a stranger,who is still a stranger.

"Well then... let us see if it is dark out and then we can decide what to do next," Tark said as he extended his hand to help Aeschia to her feet, a customary and gentlemanly gesture.

ooc: lol, he could just check his pocket watch, but I thought I would give you a chance to decide on the time.

He felt that his stomach was about to grumble and decided to preempt by informing Aeschia of his hunger. "It must be many hours since I have eaten..." he commented casually, a hint that he would like to eat if it was the appropriate time.

"Thank you Tark." Aeschia took his hand, graciously.

Aeschia lowered one of the steel blinds an inch... no light. She lowered it the rest of the way. It was dark out.

Aeschia went to the intercom: "Darlene, will you lower the blinds please? Thank you." She instructed Darlene throught the intercom. "Oh that reminds me..." Aeschia went back to the intercom: "Darlene, I have no specific tasks for you so far this evening, so if you would like to kick back with the big screen TV and watch movies, or whatever... help yourself. Please do not invite anyone over. Enjoy your night off... Say... you could go to the roof for a while. It is stunning on these starry nights." Aeschia told Darlene.

She turned the intercom off. Darlene was a live-in caretaker. The condo required some one live in and be there at all times. Darlene enjoyed the luxury of the dwelling and the fact that she had her days to herself a lot of the time.

"Tark, remind me to put this on Darlene's pillow later." It was a wrapped up gift.

"I appreciate my help so very much, as not only do they do the usual, but they need to go out of the way to serve a vampire. Darlene is very sweet." Aeschia smiled.

"So... rumbling stomach there Tark!" she grinned. "Yes, eating would be a good idea. I will follow your lead Tark. We will go where you would like to go." Aeschia smiled warmly up at him.

Wooshaba']Boaz sat in his apartment flipping through the channels. He was bored out of his wits. Usually around this time he had girls calling him and wanting to come over. He wondered what Jade was up to. I was so close Boaz sighed. He decided to do a scan of the building. He noticed that there was a kindred named Gabriel downstairs. Boaz said aloud, "I never realized there was another vampire in this building." Boaz thought to himself, Perhaps I should pay him a little visit. Boaz made his way to his way down to Gabriel's apartment.


Bubba looked up as Boaz approached. He could sense he was a vampire and confronted him.

"Who are you and what is your business here?"

Aeschia scanned her mind for places to eat. Tark did not seem to be coming up with any ideas. She had no idea what he was looking for, so it was no help for her to come up with the plan.

She just waited silently for Tark to tell her what he wanted to do.

Bubba looked up as Boaz approached. He could sense he was a vampire and confronted him.

"Who are you and what is your business here?"

Boaz read the person's mind who had confronted him. Bubba? Interesting name but not the person I want to meet. Boaz looked at Bubba and said, "I own the penthouse on the top of this building. I am looking for a man called Gabriel. Do you know him?"

Bubba stared at the new arrival. "And what business do you have with him," he demanded.

He took a cigarette from his pocket and lit it up.

Boaz looked at the man with little interest. He replied, "Nothing really. We just have something in common that I want to talk about." Boaz then looked at the door and back at the man, "My name is Boaz by the way. Perhaps you have heard of me."

Bubba puffed out a breath of smoke. "Yes I have," he said taking out his mobile, he tapped something in with his thumb. "We have been watching you."

Boaz was somewhat surprised at this thought. "You have been watching me? And who is this we?" he asked the now more interesting man.

Bubba put his mobile away and stared at him. "The Prince," he said. "As an outsider, you are a probable threat against him."

Boaz rolled his eyes. "I have no problem with the Prince. If I did I would have taken action by now," he said quickly to Bubba. Boaz then asked, "Why you here at Gabriel's anyway?"

"Because he's also an outsider," Bubba stated.

He breathed out another cloud of smoke from his nostrals.

"And this is getting a little suspicious."

Boaz wondered where Gabriel was. He looked at Bubba and said, "Are you supposed to be babysitting him or something?"

Bubba narrowed his eyes at him before putting out the spent cigarette on his hand. A brief flash of pain and the wound healed quickly. "I am not a babysitter, I am to make sure he is not one of those who conspire against the Prince."

Boaz looked away and said, "Well I wouldn't know. Perhaps I should come back at a better time." Boaz began to walk away.

As Boaz backed up, a young statuesque blond appeared from the elevator and began heading toward Gabriel's appartment.

Bubba said nothing. Instead he leaned against the wall and lit up another cigarette. Noticing the new arrival, he catiously watched the blonde approach Gabriels apartment.

As Boaz walked away he saw the blonde. He then said, "Hello."

"Hello." She replied to Boaz in passing. The blonde, a young lady by the name of Sasha, walked up to Gabriel's door and knocked on it twice, before looking at Bubba. "That habit will kill you one day."

Boaz turned around and looked at the lady one more time. She was an attrative girl. He thought to himself, Hey what do I have to lose. He turned around and walked back to the door.

"Not bloody likely," Bubba replied.

He then walked over to her, eyeing her up.

"And what is your business here?"

It appeared to him that she was human, not a vampire nor ghoul.

"I'm here to see my boyfriend, not that it's any buisness of yours." She replied as the door opened. "Hello Sasha." Gabriel said as they kissed.

"All vampiric activity within this city is the Princes business," Bubba warned her.

She just shrugged and went inside. "Have a nice time out here, I know I'll be having one inside." He commented as he shut the door.

Aeschia scanned her mind for places to eat. Tark did not seem to be coming up with any ideas. She had no idea what he was looking for, so it was no help for her to come up with the plan.

She just waited silently for Tark to tell her what he wanted to do.

Tark smiled, slightly embarrassed by his grumbling stomach, but not seriously. "Ah yeah... truly has been a while since I have eaten. Place to eat... place to eat..." he repeated, thinking about the numerous different restaurants that existed in the city.

"Well, I guess where we eat would depend on what type of restaurant you are in the mood for," he said after a moment of thoughtful silence. Being the gentleman he was, he was willing to let Aeschia decide on what type of restaurant they would dine at. "There is the fancy/elegant restaurants like Chateau Rivière... the gourmet Cuisinier de Jacques... the hole-in-the-wall like The Bucket... the variety... the focused... the casual... the diner... and others."

"Well Tark, I think you should decide, as you are the one who is so hungry." Aeschia grinned.

"I guess if I had my choice, I would choose a sushi bar, however, I do not know how fond you are of raw fish." She smiled.

"Anything is fine with me. Probably not anything too casual, considering the way I am dressed." She smiled and chuckled. However, if you do want to go to a hole in the wall, I could change clothing." Karasu grinned. "Your call Tark!"

"A sushi bar sounds good to me. I don't eat raw fish often, but I am fond of it - especially if it is made well with fresh ingredients," Tark replied as he decided that a sushi bar was a suitable place to have a nice quiet dinner. Sort of a mix between casual and fancy.

"Neither of us are dressed really casually," he said with a smile as he was wearing his pin-striped gray suit. "But then again, I would probably wear this to The Bucket anyway."

"Alright... let's go. I know a good sushi bar not far from here called the Morning Prise," he stated.

Boaz looked at Bubba and said, "Well they told you." Before Bubba could reply Boaz was gone. Boaz had already disappeared back up into his apartment.

"A sushi bar sounds good to me. I don't eat raw fish often, but I am fond of it - especially if it is made well with fresh ingredients," Tark replied as he decided that a sushi bar was a suitable place to have a nice quiet dinner. Sort of a mix between casual and fancy.

"Neither of us is dressed really casually," he said with a smile as he was wearing his pinstriped gray suit. "But then again, I would probably wear this to The Bucket anyway."

"Alright... let's go. I know a good sushi bar not far from here called the Morning Prise," he stated.

"Oh wonderful!" Aeschia exclaimed, smiling at Tark with appreciation. So many people refuse to eat sushi! I am glad you are not one of them.

In response to his discussion of sushi, Aeschia replied; "Oh, I agree completely. Sushi must be fresh, or you may not end up satiated, but nauseous... or for mortals... dead. I do not know if I would eat sushi blowfish if I was immortal." Aeschia chuckled.

"You look great tonight Tark. I just had to add that. I think you could wear a wooden barrel and look distinguished." Aeschia laughed hard.

"Well, you lead the way. I personally have not been to this particular establishment. I frequent Midori which is amazing, both in ambiance and excellent food. I shall have to take you there sometime."

Aeschia smiled and looked up at Tark. "Do you have everything? If so, I suppose we can go. My car, or walk. If it is not too far, walking would be nice. I want to show off my 'trophy-dinner-date', if there should be such a thing." Aeschia said with a seductive look... yet again another she was unaware she was giving. She just wore her heart on her sleeve sometimes. Especially with people which whose company she enjoyed... and Tark fit that perfectly.

"By the way, I forgot to ask... Do you want any of the Michelangelos? I have so many, and I have more at the ex's than I have here. I would part with some you know. I know he is your favorite, and I certainly would consider giving something to someone who truly appreciates every nuance of his work, such as you."

Aeschia waited to find out if they were walking, and if he wanted any of the Michelangelos. She truly had so many. What she had at the condo was not nearly as much as she had at Marius's, so it was likely he would find something she would be happy to part with; especially to someone who really appreciated the artist. Aeschia would not part with her art to someone who just wanted it for the name.

"Oh wonderful!" Aeschia exclaimed, smiling at Tark with appreciation. So many people refuse to eat sushi! I am glad you are not one of them.

ooc: I assume there are supposed to be quotes around the last sentence of the above.

Tark laughed at Aeschia's little joke. It felt good to be joking and laughing after he had spent the last few hours rigorously critiquing, studying, and admiring the artwork that she had in her possession - though the last ones he looked at were flawless; not a thing less than prefect in the painting or subject.

"You look great tonight Tark. I just had to add that. I think you could wear a wooden barrel and look distinguished," Aeschia said with a laugh.

"It's the hair, isn't it?" he replied with a laugh of his own as he touched his hands to his hair and brushed hit lightly. He was probably one of the few men or vampires that received as many compliments or comments on his hair as his dates, though with Aeschia, that probably would not be the case; her hair was just as stunning and more so.

"Walking should be fine," Tark said as he offered her his hand. "It seems to be another pleasant night out and the restaurant his not far. Probably only a nine or ten minute walk... a nice stroll that is."

"I think it is I that is lucky enough to have a 'trophy-dinner-date' accompanying me tonight. I am sure enemy man in the restaurant would give up there company to dine with you. However, I doubt any man would do the same for me." Tark laughed at his own joke as they exited her building.

As they began walking down the sidewalk to the restaurant, Aeschia surprised Tark by asking him if he wanted any of the Michelangelo's he had seen. The truth was that there were a couple that he wanted. However, the nature of the paintings made Tark feel slightly embarassed and uneasy. He was quiet sure how to ask and remained silent for several moments as he tried to think of away...

Boaz's stomach grubbled. "I am hungry. I wonder what Tark is going to eat." Boaz contacted Tark and said, Do you want to go to lunch?

Wooshaba']Boaz's stomach grubbled. "I am hungry. I wonder what Tark is going to eat." Boaz contacted Tark and said, Do you want to go to lunch?

Hearing Boaz mental message to him as they walked to the Sushi Bar, Tark replied in a short message of his own, Lunch? It is a little late for that. Besides, I am going out for an early dinner with a friend...

Aeschia laughed at Tark's jokes. He was great company and she felt lucky to be spending time with him.

"It is a beautiful night to be walking," she commented as she looked up. "And by the way, any woman in the restaurant would ditch her date for you, but I doubt for me... unless this is a sushi bar frequented by homosexuals." She grinned.

"I just want to tell you I really enjoy your company." Aeschia looked at him. "Really, great sense of humor, intelligent, cultured, but not like cheese." She grinned. "OK, that was really bad!" Aeschia chuckled. "Not to mention good taste in food."

Aeschia brought the subject up again. "Tark, think about it and let me know if you want any of the Michelangelos. As I said, I am more likely to part with them when they are going to someone who truly appreciates the artwork." She gave him a seductive smile.

Tark was unsure of himself - a rare occurrence if ever there had been one. "I... well... There are a couple of paintings that I took a fancy too," he tried to explain, rubbing the back of his head with his right hand as they continued to walk towards the restaurant. "I am not sure of the names of them... they were the two at the end," he said nervously, rushing through the sentence.

As he finished the sentence, he looked up and noticed that they were at the Sushi Bar. There was a small swinging sign above the door with the name of the joint on it, which was quite odd as it seemed to be a little odd looking while the rest of the place was very modern. The entire front of the restaurant was glass and inside it was bright, tiled, and clean...

Hearing Boaz mental message to him as they walked to the Sushi Bar, Tark replied in a short message of his own, Lunch? It is a little late for that. Besides, I am going out for an early dinner with a friend...

Boaz dug into Tark's mind a little bit to find out that he was going out with a lady friend. Boaz spoke to Tark, You sly dog. Well I am not going to hold you up. Have fun with your new friend. I'll contact you later. Boaz broke the connection. Boaz's stomach grubbled again. Boaz said aloud, "I am going to get something to eat. Boaz walked out of his apartment and down thee stairs.

As Tark was quite nervous and entranced with Aeschia at the moment, he completely missed Boaz's comment, even if it had been telepathed directly into his mind.

"I am sorry Tark; I am not sure of the order of the paintings I showed you." Aeschia told him. She had showed him so many paintings that she did not know the order.

"Which paintings were the last two?" She inquired.

She then looked into the sushi restaurant. "I hope this restaurant is good, Tark. It is so... bright." It looked like a diner to her, but perhaps her impression was wrong.

The restaurant seemed to be lacking ambiance to her, but she did not want to insult Tark by saying so

"I hope so too..." Tark replied. "I have never eaten here before." He opened the door for her, allowing her to walk in first, before he looked around and took in the environment of the restaurant. Very modern...

As they walked up to the sushi bar, Tark pulled out a seat - a high stool - for Aeschia and pushed it in before taking a seat next to her. "It was... uh... the two portraits of a... a very beautiful lady..."

"Oh... " Aeschia blushed. "Umm... since I have three others, you may have them, Tark." She smiled at him.

"Although I am surprised that those are the ones you chose." Aeschia remarked.

She felt like putting on sunglasses in this place.

"I thought you had been to this sushi bar before, Tark. It is just a little bright." Aeschia said, without being rude.

Boaz walked into a fast food restaurant. There was plenty of humans for him to feast on, but he was craving for something different. Once when he was feeding on a human they were eating a substance called ice cream. It had made there blood very sweet. Boaz decided he would have some of this ice cream. When it was his turn in line he asked the lady behind the counter, "Do you have ice cream?" About two minutes later Boaz was walking down the streets of Draconis Nightcrawlis with a large strawberry ice cream cone. Boaz thought to himself, It needs a little blood.

OOC: I have been out of it for a while due to RL problems. Hope you guys don't mind me jumping back in, and Wooshaba I hope you don't mind me hijacking your storyplot again.

Jade was talking to Rachel, her agent who handled all the middleman business. Jade said, "You can inform the customer, that I have executed the victim in the method that he asked, and that I will have photographic and audio evidence of his death." Rachel replied, "Good to hear. I have to admit I was getting concerned when I hadn't heard from you." Jade sighed, "Well, he took a bit longer to track down the most, but I always catch them in the end." Rachel said, "That you do Jade, that you do. I will contact you when the next client contacts me." Jade hung up, then turned to look at her work. The Tremere vampire had been crucified to the wall for the past several nights and was looking a bit worse for wear. As Jade packed up her equipment she said to the crucified vampire, "Well, Victor, this looks like our last night togeather. I hope you haven't suffered too much. I usually don't work this way, but my client requested it." Jade finished packing her equipment in a medium-sized black messenger bag. She said as she walked out the door, "Think on the bright side. You will have a wonderful view of the sunrise now that I have pulled aside the drapes." With those final words Jade walked out the door and locked it behind her. The she pulled out a small transmitter and pushed the button on it. The explosive she had planted under the bed was activated, if anyone opened the door, or window it would explode. And when it reached noon the next day, it would explode. Jade always wanted to make sure her kill was thorough.

She walked out of the apartment building and saw to her pleasent surprise Boaz was walking down the street towards her. She began to walk towards him.

"Oh... " Aeschia blushed. "Umm... since I have three others, you may have them, Tark." She smiled at him.

"Although I am surprised that those are the ones you chose." Aeschia remarked.

She felt like putting on sunglasses in this place.

"I thought you had been to this sushi bar before, Tark. It is just a little bright." Aeschia said, without being rude.

"Well they are quite well done - flawless - and probably the only set from his artwork that I had never laid eyes upon until tonight," Tark explained, trying to give an honest answer. "Thank you..."

Attempting to turn the conversation away from the partial nude paintings of the lovely lady he was about to eat dinner with, Tark decided to look at the sushi. "If it is too bright, we can go somewhere else..."

"I can handle the light." Aeschia replied, looking at her menu. "Hmmm... what looks good..." she was deliberating when she got an annoying telepathic message from Drake, whom she quit blocking as he had not bothered her for a while.

What is it Drake? I am going to make sure to block you again if you keep annoying me!

Drake replied telepathically: Someone assassinated victor, in the most hideous way. We must find this assassin.

Aeschia went wide-eyed. Victor was a friend of hers. She replied: I will do whatever I can Drake.

Aeschia had a sick look on her face. "Tark, you go ahead and order. I am not very hungry. I believe I will just order something to drink."

Who would want Victor dead? she mused.

She was trying her best not to cry.

As the chef came over, Tark looked down at his menu and said a few words in Japanese. The chef nodded and then departed to begin making the two orders of Sushi Tark had requested.

"Are you sure?" Tark said suspiciously as he looked at Aeschia's face, which had changed almost instantly. "Is there something wrong?"

"Yes, this is fine." Aeschia paused. "Drake just informed me that a kindred, a friend, was assassinated in the most heinous way." A tear dripped down her face. "I am going to have to start reading minds again, as I am going to do what I can to find the assassin."

She looked up at Tark. "Let us try not to let this ruin the evening. The best way to get information is to be moving." She smiled wanly.

"Oh... I am so sorry to hear that," Tark said, not quite sure what to say in a situation like that. In his experience, there aren't really words that can be said - especially when you didn't know the person who was killed.

There was a long silence as Tark let her deal with the onset of her friend's death. Eventually he put his hand on the top of her back, "Are you sure? We could leave if you want..." He sincerely didn't want to stay if she felt she could be more useful or more comfortable elsewhere.

Boaz saw Jade walking towards him. As they got closer Boaz said, "Don't I know you from somewhere?" He smiled at Jade.

Jade smiled and said, "Funny, how we keep on bumping into each other. Hey is that ice cream?"

"Oh no, Tark. I would much rather spend the evening with you. I can read minds as we pass people or frequent establishments. Besides, the company will be comforting." Aeschia turned to Tark with a thankful look on her face.

"I am quite grateful that you are here with me Tark. For some reason, it is comforting being with you." Aeschia smiled at him.

Tark held his gaze for another moment. "Okay... as long as that is what you truly want." He removed his hand from her back and grasped the cold glass of water that sat on the bar in front of him. Raising it to his mouth for a sip, he looked away from Aeschia for the first time in many minutes. "We won't stay long," he added, a slight compromise on Aeschia saying it was fine to stay and Tark not wanting to push her to stay. He was going to give her a choice on the matter and so he was thankful that the sushi was delivered, cutting off her chance to protest the matter.

"I am quite grateful that you are here with me Tark. For some reason, it is comforting being with you," Aeschia said.

Tark didn't know how to respond. At a time like this, compliments didn't really seem that important in the grand scheme of things. "Have some sushi..." he said, pushing one of the platters towards the lovely vampire.

Boaz licked the cone and said, "It sure is. It is really good. Haven't had one of these bad boys in centuries." Boaz looked at Jade and said, "Where did you disappear to? You were supposed to wait for me to get out of the shower."

Jade smiled and said, "Unfortunatly I had... business to attend to." Her thoughts flashed back to Victor crucified on the wall before coming back to the present. Jade continued, "But now my business on this planet is now complete, and I have a bit of free time." Jade's smile took a wicked turn as she continued, "You could take that shower again and as insurance, that I won't disappear again, I'll join you."

Boaz smiled and said, "Jade are you trying to seduce me? Because if so I like it." Boaz licked his icecream cone again. He was nearly done with it.

"No Tark... really... having some company will be nice." Aeschia smiled at him and thanked him for the sushi.

"I think I will have at least one." She grinned... and a little sake.

Aeschia waved for the bartender to place her order. "Tark, would you like something... some sake perhaps?" She looked at him for a response.

"One more thing. Please tell no one of the assassination, unless it is brought up and under no circumstances tell anyone of my knowledge of the hit. Everyone is a suspect." She chuckled, "Not you of course.

"I would appreciate if you gave me any information you may hear about this assassination. All leads will be appreciated." Aeschia smiled. "Not that I want you sleuthing for me; only if something comes along that you may hear, please inform me." She implored him.

"Sir could you not smoke in here, we have a strict no smoking policy," the bartender then told a scruffy man sat near them.

"Hmph, fine," he replied and stubbed out his cigarette. He tipped his hat forward and looked over at them. "I'm good at info, Aeschia, am I correct?"

After a few hours, a mussed Sasha departed, a smile on her mouth, and a great deal of her lipstick missing.

"Good-bye Gabby." She commented as she left.

Aeschia turned to the man to her left; a man she did not know. "Huh? What?!" she exclaimed to the man, surprised.

"What is it? Who are you? How do you know my name?" She asked the scruffy looking man.

The scruffy man smirked at her. "Depends, if you're loyal to the prince I'm Rube," he said. "If you're not then I'm your nightmare."

Moving his hand down, he pulle away his trenchcoat and showed a gun.

Aeschia was loaded with weapons, and she could block gunshots with them as well. Being older than nearly anyone made a difference as well. She was highly skilled, which included as an assassin.

"Rube. Put away the gun. I care not that you carry one. I am not concerned about it in any way." Aeschia told him as she brushed it off.

"As far as being loyal to the prince, not that it is any of your business, however, I have never met him. I am new to this city and do not know much about him or how he rules. I am Camarilla and Tremere. I understand that the Prince is Camarilla as well, which is a good start. I would like very much to meet the prince. Is this something you can arrange?" Aeschia asked the man, Rube.

Rube shook his head, "'Fraid not lady," he said, downing his sake in front of him. "The prince all meets you if he wants to, there is no way to meet him on your terms."

He noticed that she wasn't deterred by his gun, no matter he had plenty more concieled weapons that he'd only show if provoked. He was always ready to fight, in fact he rather enjoyed fighting.

"I have never met him myself, he calls me when he needs me."

"You still here Bubba, aren't you getting bored?" Gabriel commented as he saw Sasha out.

"I see. How and why do you know who I am?" Aeschia asked Rube. She was ready to read his mind any time now. Surprisingly, he did not address Tark, which was something she did not understand.

"Also, if you know everything that goes on around here, there is something I would like to ask you... However, I would like you to please answer my first question. By the way, I am no threat to you. You will not need any of your weapons. I am not a violent sort." Aeschia informed him.

Bubba looked up and flicked a spent cigarette away.

**********

"We've been watching you and Tark," Rube said, his voice sounding as gruff as ever.

He itched for another cigarette, he hated the Kingdoms stance on smoking and the fact it was banned in public. Usually he would just kill anyone who stopped him, but in here there were too many.

"The prince has ordered all stranger vampires to be watched for any sign of going against him."

"Do you have any idea when those others are suppose to be getting here?" Gabriel asked the highly annoying Bubba.

Wooshaba']Boaz smiled and said, "Jade are you trying to seduce me? Because if so I like it." Boaz licked his icecream cone again. He was nearly done with it.

Jade smiled, then leaned forward. She gently took a hold on the cream cone and took a slow, long lick of it. The look in her eyes could only be described as smoldering. When she finished she whispered to Boaz, "Me seduce you? What would give you that idea?"

"I would appreciate if you gave me any information you may hear about this assassination. All leads will be appreciated." Aeschia smiled. "Not that I want you sleuthing for me; only if something comes along that you may hear, please inform me." She implored him.

"Certainly..." Tark replied, certain that Aeschia was feeling slightly better. He would certainly inform her of anything he found out about the murder of her friend, and he would go one step further even if she had urged him not to go out of his way.

As a strange man sat down next to them, Tark pressed the button on the top of his cane and the signal was sent out to find information on the murder. When the man identified himself as one of the Prince's thugs, he realized that it wasn't strange that he was mostly addressing Aeschia.

"Of course you know I am not a strange vampire..." Tark interjected.

Rube tipped his hat forward and chuckled. "And what makes you so sure about that," he replied. "You're a stranger, you're suspicious and finally you're a possible threat."

He ordered another sake and downed it once delivered.

"I am no stranger..." Tark rebuked. "I have been living here for over four hundred years!"

Aeschia looked at Rube. "If you think Tark is a stranger, perhaps your sources are inadequate and unreliable." She informed him. "Maybe you do not know enough about what goes on around here for me to ask you any questions anyway.

"For your information, I am just traveling, and I am staying in this city for an indeterminate amount of time. I am no threat to the prince. I actually know nothing about him. Aeschia told Rube, slightly annoyed.

"If the prince doesn't know you, you're a stranger to him," Rube replied.

That time he didn't look up, instead he started eating.

"You're still a threat."

"So you are a stranger to him then?" Tark asked, turning his words on him.

Rube shook his head. "Nope he knows me, his eyes and ears have watched me before he hired me," he explained.

His eyes crossed over to the door as his partner, Jonas entered.

"Good point Tark. If you knew him personally, you could get an audiance with him for myself, could you not? Then I would not be a stranger. Also, I make it a point to meet the royalty in the places I stop, and it would be an honor to meet the prince." Aeschia told Rube.

In the back of her mind, she was gearing for revenge. The assassin who killed Victor would not be an assassin for long... or an anything. Karasu was 10,000 years old and a highly experienced assassin, experienced with every imaginable weapon. She kept up her skills at home with her specially built rooms. Aside from that, her telekinesis and telepathy were far stronger than any vampire or human around here, as well as her speed, and just about everything else. She was the oldest, strongest, most experienced; period.

Aeschia's sake arrived, and she sipped the warm beverage. "Wonderful." She smiled at Tark.

"The Prince only meets people when he wants to, as he is reclusive that means only a select few," Rube explained. "No amount of begging to meet him will work, in fact it will put him off, he hates begging, he see's it as a weakness."

Jonas took a seat next to Rube and ordered a coke and some sushi.

"A weakness, huh?" Aeschia laughed heartily. Obviously these people did not know who she was. "I am not begging, Rube. My thoughts were that he would like to meet me. Apparently I am wrong." She grinned at Rube.

"This is growing tiring." She turned to Tark. "Would you like to go for a stroll and perhaps elsewhere for a drink?" She suggested.

"Hmph," Rube remarked. "He's watching you though."

He placed his hand in his pocket and passed it over to the owner.

"Enjoy your sushi anyway, it's on the prince."

"No thank you." Aeschia pushed the money back to Rube. "Someone who is so paranoid as to spy on strangers, yet refuse to meet them... has no right to buy me dinner. I am quite sure Tark agrees."

She stood up and put the money and tip on the bar, however, she knew it was likely Tark would give it back to her and pay for dinner. He was chivalrous that way, which was quite charming.

OOC: Sorry I meant to type that he was passing over a card. Somehow the item went missing :D

IC:

"Well in that case just take what for Jonas and I have eaten then," Rube said.

The owner nodded and scanned the card and handed it back.

"Yet the you want to meant the prince but then reject his hospitality."

Rube shook his head. "Nope he knows me, his eyes and ears have watched me before he hired me," he explained.

His eyes crossed over to the door as his partner, Jonas entered.

"I don't see how he can know you any better than he knows me if you two have never met. No doubt he has learned all that he could about me, which would be equivalent to what he has done about you. Therefore, if he knows you... he knows me," Tark explained.

Would you like to go for a stroll and perhaps elsewhere for a drink?" Aeschia asked.

"Certainly..." Tark said as he finished off a plate of Sushi. Despite the man putting the dinner on the Prince, Tark reached into his pocket and produced a bill [50], which he put down on the counter and then stood up. "Good night, gentlemen," he said as he extended his hand for Aeschia.

"Your loss," Rube replied. "While he may keep a watch on you, turn your back on him now and the prince will be even less likely to want to meet you."

He downed the rest of his sake and stood up, looking over at them.

"Think about it." He turned his attention to Jonas. "Come on Jonas."

Together they left the sushi bar.

Aeschia took Tark's arm. "Yes, it is a beautiful night for a stroll." She smiled.

At Rube's last comment, she replied: "Reject his hospitality? We are not turning our back on him. We have never seen Prince Zanaar, who I would be honored to meet. I am not begging, obviously. If he does not want to meet me, how can you say I am turning my back on him. It is you whom I do not want to sit and chat with. We are getting no where. I am quite sure the prince knows we have not turned our back on him, but on your rudeness." Aeschia told Rube with disdain.

"Let us go, Tark."

Rube tipped his hat forward and smirked. "Do you even realise how many vampires, among others, that want to meet him," he then said. "Now imagine how many of them will want to kill him for verying reasons."

The scruffy man let out a chuckle.

"Now would you want to meet people if most wanted to kill you? No didn't think so."

Tark was about to respond to Rube's first comment when Aeschia hastily answered it herself, saying just about everything Tark was about to.

However, Rube decided to make one more comment to which Tark responded, "Yes, in fact, I would. I would want to look right into the eyes of a man who wants to kill me and ask... why?"

With that, he turned and left the restaurant, hand-in-hand with Aeschia.

"How obnoxious!" Aeschia exclaimed. "Not to mention that he smells." She grinned at Tark. "Would you like to walk around a bit and then find somewhere to relax for a drink, or do you have an idea of a nice place to go? Maybe somewhere they would not let Rube in, dressed in such a manner?" Aeschia tossed her head back and began laughing.

"Truly, he was extremely rude. I would think any emmisary for the prince would look a little nicer. I suppose he blends in with the rubble around here, but that is about all."

"The Prince isn't exactly the kind of royalty you see in movies and fairy tales," Tark reminded her.

"Aye. I am not very familiar with this area, but I suppose we could stroll until we found a nice place to sit and have a drink," he commented as they began walking down the street at a leisurely pace.

ooc: Is there a waterfront, DN?

"Sounds good to me." Aeschia smiled. "Another beautiful night with a wonderful companion." She smiled at Tark.

"Agreed," Tark said with a smile referring to Aeschia. "I am a great companion, aren't I," he said jokingly with a laugh.

"Come... we will head down to the water... it should be pleasant on a fair night like this."

"Yes Tark," Aeschia grinned, "and modest too!" She replied to his joke.

"I think the waterfront will be beautiful tonight. This city really has some nice features." Aeschia commented looking at the sky and the people around her.

"I know... he is the best, isn't he?" Tark laughed.

"Yeah... though peace and quiet isn't one of them," he said with a faint smile, remembering how their pleasant evening had been interrupted by both the death of Aeschia's friend and Rube, the prince's man.

"True, however, when I am overwhelmed, I go to my rooftop retreat. I am hoping that the waterfront is as relaxing." She smiled a wan smile.

"I guess I only wish I knew something about Victor's assassin. So far everyone I have read knew nothing.

"I am sorry, I will not bring that up again." Aeschia looked up at Tark and smiled.

"No, it is fine. I completely understand. Loosing a friend, and more to the point, having him killed, is terribly trying. Sometimes you just need to have someone to talk to about it," Tark said as they reached the waterfront.

It was quite pleasant. Sort of a harbor, but there were no boats or docks there. They walked along the waterline for a minute before Tark turned to a little cafe on their left. "This seems suitable... no?" It had outdoor seating with small little tables and was only a few feet from the water.

"It looks lovely, Tark. The view is quite nice as well. I like it here." Aeschia smiled at him. Tark had good taste, that was for sure. "Shall we grab a table?"

Jade smiled, then leaned forward. She gently took a hold on the cream cone and took a slow, long lick of it. The look in her eyes could only be described as smoldering. When she finished she whispered to Boaz, "Me seduce you? What would give you that idea?"

Boaz looked at her slyly. "You are going to get something started Jade." Boaz looked at her and said, "Where would you like to go?"

"It looks lovely, Tark. The view is quite nice as well. I like it here." Aeschia smiled at him. Tark had good taste, that was for sure. "Shall we grab a table?"

"Certainly," Tark said as he entered the little, covered patio that was boxed in by a short, two foot fence. He signaled for a table of two to the maitre d', who in response pointed to the table to the left of them.

Tark walked over to where he had been pointing, a table right next to the fence, and pulled out a chair for Aeschia. Soon the maitre d' would be over with a pair of small menus.

"Thank you, Tark," Aeschia replied as he pulled her chair out for her. It reminded her of the old days when most men were chivalrous that way. Not that women could not take care of themselves, it was just nice.

"I am glad we decided to come down here Tark. It is very relaxing. I am doing my best to avoid thinking about the Tragedy for now... put it in the back of my mind, so to speak, and deal with it later." Aeschia smiled at Tark.

Such a unique man. She mused.

A moment after Tark had taken his seat on Aeschia's right side so that they were both facing the water, the maitre d' walked over and handed them two small menus. The menus had a small list of desserts and other very small dishes as well as a list of drinks.

"I'll just have a glass of your medium dessert wine," Tark responded without looking at the menu. "And perhaps a crème brûlée. Thank you."

"I will have an espresso, please." Aeschia smiled at the man as he took their menus. "I have not had espresso in a while." Aeschia smiled at Tark.

"What is on your mind Tark?" She looked at him quizically.

Wooshaba']Boaz looked at her slyly. "You are going to get something started Jade." Boaz looked at her and said, "Where would you like to go?"

Jade kissed Boaz, letting the strawberry, and a little bit of blood mixed together between their respective mouths, then said, "How about your place?"

"I will have an espresso, please." Aeschia smiled at the man as he took their menus. "I have not had espresso in a while." Aeschia smiled at Tark.

"What is on your mind Tark?" She looked at him quizically.

"Oh, me? Nothing..." Tark admitted. "Not much to really think about right now. I am sort of just enjoying my time..."

A few minutes later the waiter returned with their respective drinks and placed them gently down on the braided, metal, table. "A little bread for you..." the waiter added as he laid down a basket of decently warm bread and a little saucer that had a triangle shaped piece of butter on it.

"Thank you."

"I see." Aeschia replied to Tark as she took a sip of her espresso.

What is with him tonight... is it that he got the antiques he wanted and now he does not want to spend time with me? Tark was sending mixed signals that were confusing Aeschia.

Jade kissed Boaz, letting the strawberry, and a little bit of blood mixed together between their respective mouths, then said, "How about your place?"

Boaz looked at Jade and said, "I like the sound of that." Boaz grasped Jade's hand and began walking back to his apartment.

"Of course they didn't take up your offer," Rube said into his mobile.

He had followed the pair to the waterfront and was keeping a close distance from them. He nodded as something was said on the other end.

"Yes Zanaar, I'll continue to follow them."

There was a click as the other end hung up. Rube just shook his head as he put his mobile away. His eyes then turned to Tark and Aeschia

"Tark? Are you OK? You do not seem yourself. You seem so distant. Have I offended you in some way?" Aeschia looked at him with concern.

"No, no. Quite the opposite," Tark reassured her, not knowing where she had gotten that impression from. "I am just relaxing and taking it easy right now."

There wasn't much in the way of business going on right now, he had just picked up two more pieces of art and so he wasn't looking for any more for his collection, and life was good...

"Oh... I am relieved. You have just been a bit quieter than usual. I understand the water can have that effect." Aeschia smiled at Tark. "I am glad that you have some down time. It sounds like you are a very busy man."

Aeschia smiled at Tark.

"Only as busy as I want to be," Tark commented as he took a sip of his drink. "What good is eternal life if you just spend it doing nothing? I have always tried to find something to do, but more importantly... something I enjoy." It was one of his philosophies of life: If you are going to work hard at something, make sure you want to do it and make sure you it is something you enjoy.

"But I must confess... sometimes it does get a little busy and not as much fun," he admitted with a smile.

"I find that when you find endeavors in which you have great passion, it makes eternal life wonderful." Aeschia told Tark. "You have a lot of that... your businesses, your art and antiques." She smiled at him.

"I have been around a long time, so seeing different civilizations, and progress in everything, plus the art and antiques and music, has been wonderful. Traveling is wonderful, and above all, meeting interesting people is something beyond compare."

Aeschia gave him that unknowing smoldering look. It was true, she was attracted to him greatly, however, it was seeming more and more that he was not attracted to her. This distressed her, as she enjoyed his company and had developed feelings beyond friendship for Tark. So fast. Never had this happened before.

Thinking about it made her feel a bit defeated, and it showed on her face suddenly.

Aeschia looked out at the water and up at the sky with a knot in her stomach.

Aeschia felt like leaving. Tark was bringing her down. He was a very fun and talkative companion and now he just ignored her. She felt used... used for her art. She cared for him, but it seemed one way.

It was time for her to find out who assassinated Vincent. She started reading minds. Tark was off in his own world. Aeschia decided she better give up on this guy. He had no interest in her... only her possessions as far as she could tell. He got his art, now he rarely spoke. He never showed any interest in her and she was not going to wait forever.

"Excuse me Tark, I will be back momentarily." Aeschia began taking a walk down the docks, reading minds, trying to find the assassin. She was likely the oldest vampire around and an assassin when needed. She had never been beaten by another assassin or even a large group of assassins, and she was going to make sure whomever killed Vincent paid big.

Aeschia also lamented Tark's lack of interest in her. She had been mistaken about him. He was lots of fun until he got what he wanted, for the most part.
However, he still showed no interest in her.

As she walked down the boardwalk, several kindred bowed and said "My Lady". Aeschia smiled back. Truly she was miserable. The man she cared for was cold as ice and did not return her feelings, and her friend was assassinated.

Then there was this Rube and Jonas, to whom she gave no real thought to, as they seemed to not know what they were talking about. Aeschia began to think there was no prince. Neither did she care anymore. Whatever his problems were, if he existed, were his. Rube was a bum and she didn't like being around such filth. Especially since he approached her, knowing her, yet did not really give any reason why other than this supposed prince's paranoia. Aeschia did not care, as she did not believe this guy anyway, plus, even if he was telling the truth, what did it have to do with her? She was not allowed to even see if this Zanaar existed, and she rather doubted it.

Aeschia continued walking and reading minds.

Gabriel left his apartment with his girlfriend and gave a cursory nod to Bubba, if he was still there of course. Heading down to a local hole in the wall, he gave his date a kiss and the seperated, her to head home and sleep, him to wander the streets to see what was up.

Aeschia was quite disappointed. She cared for Tark a lot, however, he was cold as ice to her. Perhaps it is best I forget him. She did not know what to think.

She continued walking the boardwalk, stopping only to get a Pina Colada, and continued to read minds. Aeschia was getting nowhere.

Perhaps I should just walk back and tell Tark I am going home. She thought dejectedly.

OOC: Theao I removed you from this RP don't post in here again.

ooc: DN... post something I can do something with! DMG is gone, my other RPs aren't including me... the people I need to post died or something.... POST FOR MOI! :D

A pair of eyes watched Aeschia as she walked along the boardwalk. These eyes didn't belong toi either of the Gunn brothers for Rube was watching Tark, no these eyes belonged to a certain pink haired Malkavian.

"Out here alone?" he said, stepping from the shadows. "Not right for a lady to be alone."

"No, I am not alone. My companion is down the boardwalk." She stated, noting that this guy was a Malkavian.

"You seem to be alone as well. Who might you be?" Aeschia asked, as if she did not know.

The Malkavian smirked. "I'm never alone," he then said. "They call me Jacen, they call me Pink as well and sometimes Pink Insanity."

His eyes looked over Aeschia.

"So who might this lady be?"

"Well, I think your 'companion' already knows Mr. Insanity." Aeschia grinned. "And what are your instructions regarding me? Keep an eye on me?" she chuckled. "Nothing to see."

As she finished that sentence, two Tremere walking the other way bowed to Aeschia and said "My Lady". Aeschia responded with a nod. Oh great... the paranoiac just had to see that. She thought.

"I have to say I do like your hair Jacen." Aeschia smiled.

The crazy Malkavian seemed to be nice enough... for now anyway.

"No instructions just bored." He seemed to twitch. "My last job disappeared."

He placed his hands on the top of his head as he watched the two Tremere. He chose to ignore them but at least they were polite, he felt not like Nosferatu. Dirty, stinking and vile, eww.

"Pink, my hair." He grinned. "It's its natural colour, people automatically think I'm gay because of it."

Aeschia tossed back her hair and laughed. This crazy Malkavian was funny.

"Well Jacen, it did not cross my mind. You do not look gay to me." She grinned at him still giggling. "You sure are entertaining, I will give you that!"

Aeschia looked over at Jacen. Spy or not, she really got a kick out of him.

"Would you like a drink? We could get one from one of the stands. My treat." Aeschia smiled at him. "Whatever you want."

A big grin crossed Jacen's face. "Thing is I am," he replied. "Damn hair."

Her question did not need to take long to be answered.

"Sure," he answered. "Theres a mead stand around here somewhere." He suddenly looked puzzled. "I think."

Aeschia burst out laughing at Jacen's revelation. "Well, then you do not have to die your hair to appear so to most people." She had a huge grin on her face.

All along the boardwalk there was stand after stand all connected... how could Jacen not see that...ahh... The Malkavian thing? She chuckled to herself.

"There is a mead stand right there." Aeschia pointed directly to their right about 20 feet away trying not to laugh.

"Let us go get you a mead then." She grinned. This Malkavian thoroughly entertained her.

Jacen jumped. "I knew it!" he yelled out in delight. "I love mead, tastes like nectar."

He did recive some strange looks from passers by, but he ignored them. After all he was used to being stared at. The price of being loud and insane, he was just lucky he had yet to attract the attention of a Cyredathem.

"Damn Cyredathems," he muttered, scowling.

He brightened up at the Mead stand.

"Two meads please."

"That'll be £2.50 then," the stand owner said.

Aeschia paid for the meads and handed one to Jacen. She was really amused by him.

"So Jacen, what are you doing just hanging around by yourself? Passing time?" She asked.

"There is a beautiful view here and it is very relaxing. How is your mead?" Aeschia asked the excited Malkavian.

"Yeah just passing time, feeding hanging out that kind of thing," Jacen replied.

He began eyeing the mortals around him. Generally they were a mix of humans or elves. Jacen loved elven blood, it tasted finer than human blood. A vampire could easily live off both and so Jacen prefered to hunt elves. He took a gulp of mead and smirked at Aeschia.

"Love it."

"Good, I'm glad. It is quite good." Aeschia smiled as they walked.

"Not feeding in public?!" Aeschia replied to Jacen's comment. "That is a bit dangerous, you know.

"Let me know if you want another mead when you are done." Aeschia smiled at the goofy Jacen.

Jacen coughed up his mead in surprise at what Aeschia had just said.

"Fuck no," he replied. "I may be insane but I'm not stupid."

"Well, that is good to know, Jacen. In addition, your acknowledgement of your insanity is... interesting." Aeschia smiled. "You know, you are quite a bit of fun to hang around with, Jacen." She grinned and chuckled.

"I bet you are the life of the party."

Jacen was so entertaining to Aeschia. She finally realized how much time had passed, and hoped that Tark was not angry that she had left him for so long, however, he seemed to be enjoying his solitude, so Aeschia thought he would be fine.

"Party! Where's a party?" Jacen said, getting rather excited.

But then it hit him and he hit his forehead with the pam of his hand.

"Silly me." He then looked over at Aeschia. "It's because I'm Malkavian isn't it? People percieve us as being quite insane and unstable."

He downed the last of his mead.

"Well, the perception does fit the reality to an extent Jacen." Aeschia smiled at the Malkavian.

"However, what I am trying to say is that you are lovely company and a lot of fun." She grinned at him.

Jacen raised his eyebrows in surpise as he looked over at Aeschia. For a moment he just stared, then a huge grin crossed his face.

"No ones ever called me lovely company before," he then said.

"Well, Jacen, you are, and I have known more people than you can imagine, in my lifetime." Aeschia smiled at Jacen.

"I am considered... well I will not say, as I do not want to sound snobby, and I know lovely company when I see it. You come across as such a sweetie."

He really did. A little naive, yes, a little crazy, honest, fun, and intriguing. This all added up to wonderful company for Aeschia. Jacen had yet to do or say anything boring, and his excitement over small things was adoreable to Aeschia. As long as he did not get violent or snap on her, he was a fun companion.

"Thank you," Jacen grinned.

Out of the blue something started beeping on Jacen and at first he looked puzzled. Soon however he remember what it was and reached into an inside pocket and took out a mobile. He had recieved a txt message.

"The prince apologises for Rube."

"Oh! Please tell him 'Thank you very much'." Aeschia said to Jacen. "That was very polite of the prince to do that for Rube." She smiled at Jacen.

Jacen nodded and typed something into his mobile.

"Rube is weird," he remarked.

Aeschia chuckled at Jacen's comment. "Well, yes he is... and he sure could use a bath!" She began laughing.

"He's worse than a Nosferatu," Jacen then said dryly. "And I hate Nasferatu, stinking, vile and vomit inducing."

The pink-haired vampire screwed his face up in disgust at the mere thought.

"Well, I will agree they are certainly not attractive." Aeschia replied, sipping her mead.

"Jacen, do you know the prince yourself? Have you met him? I do not really understand what is happening in this city, as I have only been here a few months, however, everyone is acting strangely." Then she added, "And I do not mean just you." She grinned at him.

Several Tremere coming towards them bowed and said, "My Lady", or "Lady Aeschia." Again she smiled and nodded back.

"Do you need another mead yet Jacen?"

Jacen looked down at his tankard.

"Once, I think it was him, might have been a dream," he said. "The prince does that, entering peoples dreams sometimes, it's that seer of his, Marie, she has these powers I think."

He looked up as more Tremere greeted her.

"Well what do you expect in a city of over one billion, everyone is weird in a way," he then stated, looking over at her. "Another mead would be nice."

"Of course Jacen." She replied to his request for another mead.

"He has a seer. That is interesting. The more I hear about this prince, the more interesting he sounds. I have not heard anything negative about this man at all... from anyone, since I arrived. However, it seems that no one actually knows him." Aeschia remarked.

"Yes, I guess everyone is weird in a way." Aeschia grinned at Jacen's remark. He was quite perceptive for a Malkavian. She was impressed with him, actually. So many Malkavians she met were so far off the wall, it was like they OD'd on acid permanently, but Jacen was different. He was a real breath of fresh air.

Aeschia chuckled to herself and wondered what Tark would think, if and when he met Jacen. For some reason, she did not think that Tark would be as amused, but who knows.

"Here is a stand Jacen." They walked up to the stand. All the while everyone was staring at the two of them: A stunning upper class woman walking with a pink haired kid. They made quite a pair.

"Two meads please." Aeschia requested, and tipped the server well. "Here you go Jacen." She handed his mead to him with a smile. "They used some very good honey in this mead, do you not agree?" Aeschia asked?

"Of course no one actually knows him he is a recluse," Jacen mentioned. "Sometimes I want to be a recluse and see what people end up saying about me, but I'm not the prince so no one will notice and will say fuck all."

Jacen momentarily twitched, it was something he did only now and then, never noticing he actually did such a thing. Upon arriving at the stand, he smirked. He took the tankard from Aeschia and took a sip.

"Yes very tasty, I love, I love head the honey tastes like... the most awesome thing in all the kingdom."

"Well, why does there seem to be some problem surrounding the prince if no one even knows him?" Aeschia asked. She was still being amused by Jacen's naivety. It was so sweet. He made her smile.

Jacen took a gulp of mead and sighed.

"Because there are power hungry vampires out there," he explained. For once the pink-haired vampire looked serious. "They want the power and control that comes with being the vampire prince of Exetergrecia."

"Who? I have not witnessed any dischord myself. Only spys for Zanaar, but no one has said anything about wanting to have the prince removed." Aeschia replied.

"I suppose I would not know being a traveler." She smiled. "It is just all these people 'watching' that make me wonder if he had been threatened or something. I guess it is not any of my business anyway." Aeschia replied.

Jacen gulped down his mead.

"Because they're too scared to do it openly," he replied before taking another gulp. "Fucking cowards, the lot of them."

"But Jacen... Is Zanaar not hiding as well?" Aeschia asked, making a very good point.

"I am not saying he is a coward. I have never met him, and the kindred seem to be ruled well here... except for..." Aeschia thought of Victor, and a tear fell down her face. She quickly wiped it away.

"Well, that is not likely Zanaar's jurisdiction anyway. I am sorry Jacen. I was just reminded of a horrible event that took place today. I do not mean to bother you with it."

Aeschia was unable to get any information regarding the assassin. Nobody she read knew anything so far.

"He's not doing anything out of the ordinary for himself," Jacen replied. "He does meet people if he wants to."

Jacens face turned to a scowl.

"The traitors on the otherhand went underground, vanishing from the radar."

He looked over at Aeschia.

"What happened?"

"A friend was assassinated... in a hideous way. I just found out today. Looked like Assamite work. He was tortured on a cross for days." Aeschia looked off into the distance.

Then she looked at Jacen. "I want to find the killer, and who hired him/her and why. If you do not know, I am Tremere, and so was he." She explained.

"The Tremere in this city are loyal to Zanaar, which I am sure he knows. It is likely he knows the clan leader in this city, Drake. I hope Victor's death had nothing to do with his loyalty to the prince. I do not know much about what Victor had been doing lately, however, something that prompted someone to have him disgustingly assassinated." Aeschia had tears welling up in her eyes. She slammed her mead down completely.

"I need a new mead, do you Jacen?" She asked. "If I find the assassin, there will be one less Assamite around." Her fury was beginning to change her eyes to red. She closed them, took a deep breath, and they went back to their normal black.

"I am sorry to tell all my troubles to you Jacen. Please forgive me. Another mead?" She asked again as she walked to the nearest stand.

Jacen gulped down the last of his mead. "Yeah I need another," he then said.

His face turned sad as he turned to look at Aeschia once more.

"I am truely sorry for your friend, if it was Assamite then it certainly wasn't under the princes orders."

"Oh no Jacen! You misunderstand! I am wondering if he was killed because he is loyal to the prince. I do not know if he had business or did work for Zanaar. I wonder if it might have something to do with the Tremere's loyalty to Zanaar. It was definitely a contract hit." Aeschia corrected him.

"Here is your mead. Why do we not stand right here. I am going to chug this one and get another right away." She chuckled with a wan smile. "Sometimes I get drunk when I am sad."

Aeschia proceeded to gulp down the mead.

"The Draconian way is to drink like the Norse of old," Jacen said and gulped down his mead. "Takes the average Draconian alot to get utterly pissed."

He chugged down the rest of his mead before letting out a rather large belch. That garnered a round of applause from some nearby folk and Jacen bowed to them before turning back to Aeschia.

"The Assamite are supposed to be neutral."

Aeschia was a bit embarrassed, but chuckled at Jacen's actions. Definitely not something she would do. She ordered two more meads and handed one to Jacen.

"Let us drink these a little slower, Jacen." Aeschia grinned. What a sweet boy. I cannot get over it. Even if Zanaar is watching us right now, he is a fun Malkavian. A Tremere could never just do what they felt like, such as belching loudly in public and saying whatever comes to mind. He seems so naive as well. Aeschia was quite taken with Jacen. He cheered her up.

"Well, Assamites are neutral, however, they take on contract hits regularly. Most of them anyway. Being neutral means that for the right price, they will target anyone. You know, I have been separated from my husband, whom I have been with for a very long time. If he was here, I bet he could find all the traitors, all the assassins... sort this mess out, and quickly as well as find the killer of my friend." She explained to Jacen. "You see, he has blood from the first brood, thus my blood is also extremely strong. It is not like most kindred blood. It tends to have a different effect on other kindred. Very powerful and very erotic, actually. But there is strength in that blood."

Aeschia was rather proud of her life, and her strength, and her ex. He taught her to live a proud, but worthwhile life, and not to harm innocents.

"The only problem is that if he showed up, it would cause a huge ruckus in the kindred community." Aeschia explained to Jacen.

"I am tempted to ask him to come here, but a companion of mine who I met recently seems to know a lot regarding what is going on amongst the kindred in the city. I hope he can use his connections to find the killer of my friend." Aeschia continued. "My ex could probably find the killer quickly, however I am reluctant to have someone so... well known to kindred come in and disrupt the city." She told Jacen.

"You know something Jacen? You really are a lovely companion and enjoyable company. I like you a lot. You are very sweet Jacen. You need to be proud of yourself for the way you are." She smiled sweetly at him and touched his cheek.

"If you need to feed later... and I do this rarely... I will offer you some of my blood, but be prepared for something very different from other kindred blood. I only drink kindred blood myself, if I can manage... and I avoid killing innocents. There are enough criminals and bastards around." She grinned.

Jacen shook his head. "I am a vampire, I feed off the innocent, it gives me my power," he said seriously before cracking a grin. "Probably that thats driven me insane, like drinking the blood of a unicorn gives you a half-life."

He took another gulp of mead.

"I've already had tonights fill anyway."

"Good enough." Aeschia smiled. She was surprised that he did not ask anything regarding her ex, considering what she had told Jacen about Marius. I guess that is the Malkavian way. Forget what the subject of conversation is. He made no comment regarding my compliments to him either. So this is what hanging out with a crazy Malkavian is like.

Aeschia was not very experienced with Malkavians. The Tremere tended to avoid them and see them as clowns. Well, Jacen was funny, insane, but so sweet... like a child. How could he not be endearing to Aeschia.

Aeschia was pretty sure Zanaar was listening, however. Maybe not.

"So tell me a little more about yourself Jacen." Aeschia smiled at him. "And let me know when you need another mead."

Jacen looked down at his tankard. "I'm fine for the moment," he said.

He then looked up at the sky, with all the city lights around he was lucky to beable to see the stars.

"I hope you do find your friends killer."

It wasn't that he was ignoring what Aeschia had just asked him, it was that he didn't know where to start. No one had ever asked him about himself before. Not even Zanaar, but then again he could find out just about anything about a vampire.

"Well I forget how old I am," he admitted. "I was sixteen when I was sired and I can't remember how long ago that was now. "What do you want to know about me?"

"I hope I find this assassin as well. I am so tempted... to ask my ex to come here, but it would just be chaos if he showed up." Aeschia stated again. She knew it was likely he could find the killer quite quickly. He also could likely find Zanaar's enemies as well. And there was the fact that he might say no to coming, all things considered.

Aeschia sighed.

"Oh, just general things Jacan... you know, the usual information... to get to know you a little better." She replied.

"Asking ex's always leads to trouble," Jacen sighed, he knew that from experiance.

Perhaps that was mainly down to him being a Malkavian and being somewhat insane. Or maybe it was because the last one turned out to know the Cyredathem family. He shuddered at that memory. Placing one hand on the back of his neck.

"I'm insane, thats all you really need to know."

"Well, are you not blunt!" Aeschia laughed.

"OK, we can leave it at that if you like." She smiled at Jacen.

Jacen smirked. "Well the more you hang around me the more you'll find out," he pointed out.

He looked down at his arm to check the time but realised he had no watch.

"Feck, what time is it?"

Aeschia looked down at her beautiful diamond watch. "It is around ten o'clock Jacen. Do you have to be somewhere?" Aeschia asked him.

"Oh no," Jacen said, shaking his head. "I just want to make sure I'll have plenty of time to get home before the sun comes up."

"How far do you live from here Jacen? If we are still hanging around together come time for you to leave, I can remind you that it is time for you to go home." Aeschia replied.

"You know Jacen... I have been trying to meet Prince Zanaar since I got here. I am actually used to meeting the royalty in every place I visit. This is the first place I have been unable to meet the prince." Aeschia explained to Jacen.

"Why do we not sit at this table for a while?" She motioned to a table overlooking the water. After sitting down, she continued.

"After all, I am Camarilla and a Tremere. The Tremere in this city support the prince, yet Rube," Aeschia rolled her eyes, "had the nerve to come right up to my companion and I and tell me straight to my face that I am 'suspect' because I am unknown here." She shook her head.

"Jacen, is the prince really in danger? So much so that nearly everyone is spied on? I so badly want to meet him, but it seems that even those who work for him never met him! I am wondering if he exists!" Aeschia chuckled.

"I suppose you cannot arrange a meeting with the prince for me. I would be honored, however, it seems the more I try, the less likely I will get the chance, Jacen. Of course... you never met him, so I suppose he would not listen to you." She continued, "At this point, I am wondering if he may know who would want my friend dead, as he was a dedicated supporter of the prince." Aeschia put her head in her hands.

"I am sorry Jacen. I do not mean to burden you with my troubles. I am just at my wits end right now." She paused.

"You see, Jacen, I am quite old. Older than you can imagine. I am powerful, and as you may have noticed, rather prominant and... almost royalty in the Tremere clan... with the kindred bowing to me and such. So I am very frustrated that with my advanced skills, I have yet to get a line on this killer." Aeschia sipped her mead.

"I also wanted to meet the prince to find out what it is exactly has upset some of the kindred community, unless it is the Sabbatt that is after him. The man I came here with is very well known in the city, yet Rube says the prince has never heard of him. I think Rube was lying. This man has no interest in politics... mostly business interests and the arts and such. He is Giovanni. Very nice man." Aeschia was going on and on.

"I just am having a bit of trouble understanding all of this, Jacen."

She smiled at him and finished her mead. "Well I am getting another mead. Are you ready for another one Jacen?" She asked.

"Can you answer any of these questions for me Jacen, after I get the mead?"

OOC: Eep :eek: I'll try not to miss anything out :D

IC:

"I live about twenty miles away," Jacen stated, still holding his hand to the back of his neck.

He nodded and went to sit down at the table with her. He watched the lights reflecting upon the water.

"If it's royalty that you wish to meet than meeting Zanaar isn't worthwhile," he then said. "The vampire prince is a title of leadership and is in no way royalty. There is only one royal family in Draconis Nightcrawlis and they are not vampires, in fact they are friends of the Cyredathems."

He sat back in his seat.

"I did mention that those wishing to dispose of the prince are only after the power of being the prince of Exetergrecia."

"It is not just wanting to meet royalty. I guess I am intrigued by this conundrum. I have never heard of the Cyredathems... at all." Aeschia responded.

"Do you fly Jacen? You do not walk home I hope. Tell me and I can tell you when you have to leave." She said.

She was not getting the information she wanted from him. As a matter of fact, practically nothing.

"Jacen, tell me about the Cyredathems."

"Well if I take the right kind of drugs I believe I can fly," Jacen joked before taking a gulp of his mead. "Well the Cyredathems are vampire hunters."

He tapped a finger against the table.

"A whole family whom for generations have been vampire hunters from birth. You can tell a Cyredathem, they're the only ones to have silver hair in this kingdom."

"Thank you for that information. That is very useful. I had no idea Jacen." Aeschia stated, referring to the royal family.

"I do need to know if you fly home or walk. That is the only way I can tell you what time you need to leave."

"Well usually I'll take the underground, takes on average half an hour," Jacen then said. "It's improved since Lord Azazel was killed of and King Kurt II took over, not so good a hunting ground now though."

He downed the last of the mead.

"Just have to keep an eye out for the Cyredathem, sneaky bastards the lot of them."

"OK, a half hour. I usually fly. It takes me no time at all." She told Jacen.

"How come you do not fly?" She asked.

"On the other situation, it should be easy to spot someone with silver hair, I would think." Aeschia responded.

Jacen raised an eyebrow. "Vampires can't fly," he replied. "At least none that I know of."

On the remark about silver hair, the pink haired vampire couldn't help but laugh.

"Yeah make you wonder about them having such fucking obvious hair."

"Jacen! Vampires can fly! How can you not know that? Perhaps it is part of being Malkavian. Excuse my shock. I have never met kindred who had no idea and did not at least occassionally fly. I do on and off if I am in a hurry."
Aeschia explained.

"Sometime, if you like, I could teach you." She smiled at Jacen, stunned that he did not know he could fly if he wanted to. I guess that is what it is like being Malkavian. She mused.

Aeschia was really hoping to meet the prince, however as time went by, it was obvious that Jacens thoughts were disjointed and scattered, and it was unlikely that he would provide any help in that way, or as far as finding out about the assassin of her friend.

Jacen folded his arms and scowled at her. "Well perhaps you're not a Draconian vampire," he replied. "Or perhaps I'm not old enough to gain that ability."

The rather young looking vampire then appeared to go into a sulk.

"After all you're not from around here, thats why the prince is suspicious of you."

"Oh Jacen. I did not mean to hurt your feelings." Aeschia put her hand on his shoulder soothingly, and had a kindly look on her face. "Please forgive me.

"As for the prince, he has no reason to be suspicious of me."

Aeschia looked down and then back up at Jacen. "Will you accept my apology for offending you? All the things you said make sense. I thought all vampires could fly. I guess I was wrong.

"Please forgive me Jacen. I like you a lot, and do not want to make you angry or disappointed in me. I have been having a wonderful time with you this evening and I do not want to ruin that." Aeschia smiled at him with an apologetic look.

Jacen looked up at her. "I forgive you," he said.

Still he wasn't happy about her saying that vampires should all be able to fly, perhaps she was different. Well she was different from him, him being Malkavian and her being Tremere.

"I am truly sorry. Perhaps I am wrong about the flying. Maybe it is a trait of only some clans." Aeschia stated, and gave him a hug. "Please do not be mad. I am probably just wrong sweetie." She patted his back and looked at him, kind of pouting...

"I will be unhappy all night if you are unhappy Jacen."

"I'm not mad," Jacen replied.

He looked across at the buildings on the otherside of the waterfront. Alont of them were tall, very tall and that got him thinking.

"I could jump off a building and see if I can scare myself into flying."

"No no Jacen! Do not attempt it! If you want to try, you start from the ground and try to fly up." Aeschia smiled at the naive, insane, but sweet boy.

"Instead, would you like another mead?" She asked, smiling at him happily.

"Like the ground would kill me," Jacen grinned. "Would hurt like fuck and I'd have to drink plenty of blood to recover."

He couldn't help but laugh at the thought of going splat against the pavement. The thought of the looks upon the faces of passersby should he be able to get up straight away would be even funnier.

"Sure, I'd like another mead, thanks."

Aeschia went and got them each another mead and returned to their table.

"Well Jacen, I would rather you did not jump off a building!" She grinned as she sipped her mead.

"So, what else do you do Jacen? You are quite an interesting guy!" Aeschia smiled at him.

"Well it could be an interesting experiane, find out what goes through a persons mind as they commit suicide by jumping off a building," Jacen shrugged.

He managed a grin as he took a gulp of mead.

"Other then be a vampire, I really don't do much," he then admitted.

"Jacen, there is so much to do out there!" Aeschia exclaimed. "There is art, music, travel, meeting new people... like tonight," she nodded.

"You would be fun at an amusement park, you know that?" Aeschia giggled.

She was having a fabulous time. He could be a comedian and make loads of money, however, he was not so aware that he was being humorous, which made it so sweet, and all the more humorous. Aeschia felt almost a motherly feeling for the Malkavian.

"Music, fuck yeah!" Jacen suddenly blurted out.

He stood up and looked toward Aeschia, grinning. He'd just remembered something.

"There's a Slayer gig on nearby, want to go?"

"Slayer?" The look on Aeschia's face said everything. "I never liked hair bands Jacen." She laughed. "I do like hardcore, punk, industrial, alternative, and a lot of types of music I am sure you are not interested in." She smiled, knowing Jacen would be disappointed.

Then there was the issue of her appearance. She was dressed more for the opera than anything else.

"I am sorry Jacen."

Jacens face dropped. "Blasphemy!" he yelled through gritted teeth. "They're thrash not hair metal."

Insulted about Aeschia's choice of genre for Slayer, he folded his arms and scowled.

"Jacen, I think I have a friend still waiting on the other side of the dock. I would not want to abandon him... however...

"Oh Jacen I would look silly dressed like this at a Slayer concert!" Aeschia told him pointing out her formal attire.

"Oh fine go back to your friend then," Jacen replied.

He turned around and began to walk off.

"Jacen no!" Aeschia ran after him, and grabbed his shoulders to stop him, much to her surprise. "I can call him, it is just that I am dressed quite inappropriately. Look at my gown." She said, turning around.

"I do not want you to leave. As I said before, you really are lovely company and I am enjoying my evening with you too much... so please do not get angry and stomp off on me and make me sad." She said to him.

"Well get a change of clothes then," Jacen suggested.

He actually wanted to go to the Slayer gig, he'd completely forgotten all about it up until now.

"I do not have a change of clothes with me. Let us stop at that leather shop over there. I will get something more appropriate." Aeschia told Jacen.

Telepathically, she contacted Tark:

Tark, I found one of Zanaar's Malkavian 'eyes', so to speak. I truly hope it is OK with you if I go to... Oh, I am not liking this, a Slayer concert with him. You seem to be in the mood for relaxation anyway, and I kind of had the impression you wanted some solitude. Is this OK with you? I would like to get information regarding the possible assassin, and anything else I can manage. This kid is wild... pink hair, crazy as hell, but actually very entertaining.

Tark made no objection as he wanted to go home. It had been a while since he had been in his own place for a while.

Please get in touch with me soon, when you are refreshed. I hope we can continue our... relationship. I adore your company Tark. Aside from that, I still have to get the antiques to you. Take care, and pity me for having to go and listen to this!

"OK Jacen, let us go to the store."

Once in the store, Aeschia picked up a black lace bustier, emphasizing her ample bosom, attached to the neck with two straps and a collar and laced down the back and a black leather mini skirt to go with it, as well as some very spiky over the knee leather boots and fishnet stockings. She changed there and carried her other clothing with her cape and weapons. She also took her hair down and added some more eyeliner and mascara as well as black lipstick... she accessorized with a chrome belly chain and wrist cuffs. Ready to go.

"What do you think Jacen?" She asked him, as she came out of the dressing room. "Do I look ready to go to Slayer?" Aeschia grinned.

Jacen rubbed his chin. "Looks good," he said. "You'll fit in just well."

"Then let us go Jacen," Aeschia said. "You lead the way. Where is the performance this evening?"

She was hoping it was not some dump.

"Royal Winner Opera House," Jacen said. "Slayer do the big places here because they're so popular."

Jacen led Aeschia through the streets back to the waterfront and over a bridge to a building that looked somewhat similar to the Sydney Opera House.

"It's in there," he said, pointing at the crowd gathered outside.

Surprisingly, it did not look that bad to Aeschia... and she fit in well with the clothing she chose. Now, she just had to keep a leash on Jacen, so to speak.

"It looks like a nice place, Jacen," she commented. "I suppose we should get in line." She smiled at Jacen knowing she had made him happy by bringing him here.

"Doors are opening," Jacen said, pointing out that people had started going in. "I'm sure you'll have a great time, shouldn't damage your ears too much."

"All right then... Let us go." Aeschia grinned. "Just do not get separated from me Jacen... OK?"

"I'll try not to," Jacen said as they entered.

The area in front of the stage was massive, filling up with Slayer fans rather quickly. After ten minutes of waiting, the lights died down and intro music was heard. The lights came on on the stage came on and Slayer emerged. The thundering opening of Bloodlines came on.

"Fuck yeah!" Jacen yelled out, jumping in time with the rest of the crowd.

Aeschia was amused at the whole thing. She liked bands such as Metallica, but Slayer just was not her thing. It was nice to see Jacen having a good time, however. Yes... she did feel like his caretaker.

As the music changed to 'Angel of Death' Jacen turned around and saw there was another crowd in the Kings suit near the stage. He tapped Aeschia on the shoulder and pointed up to it.

"You see the blue elf? That's the King."

"You mean the hunter?" Aeschia asked, eyes wide?

"No, the King of Draconis Nightcrawlis, King Kurt II," Jacen replied.

With the music so loud, no one could really hear their conversation. Not that anyone in the crowd would have cared anyway.

Jacen, Aeschia projected into his mind.

Do not worry, it is me, Aeschia. I am communicating this way because the music is so loud. If you doubt it, look at me and I will nod at you.

This King... is he Zanaar's father?

You only have to think your answer.

She looked at him, nodded and smiled.

Jacen looked at her, almost gaping at her voice being in his head.

No, no, he replied. That's the King, the ruler of this Kingdom, he is in no way a vampire and of no relation to Zanaar. I keep telling you Zanaar being the prince is just a title, he is not royalty.

But you said people want his power... If it is just a title, what power is there Jacen? Aeschia asked him in his mind again.

The power is that he is the leader of the Camerilla of Exetergrecia, Jacen replied. He controls everything to do with vampires here.

Oh right! This is strictly a kindred issue.

Well I will quit bothering you and let you enjoy the band.

Aeschia grinned at Jacen. She was quite grateful for telepathy tonight as talking above the 'music' was impossible.

It's Ok, you are rather new here, Jacen replied. That blue elf I showed you, the actual royalty, he is friends with the Cyredathem.

Well, that is not good, is it, Jacen. Does it stand to reason that the King and the Prince do not get along? Aeschia asked.

Of course not, you're thinking that they're the same again, Zanaar is not royalty, he has no links to the Draconian royal family, they do not communicate in any way, Jacen replied. They are of different worlds, Zanaar of the vampire, King Kurt II of the mortal. Same as Odin is of the Gods.

OK, I see. Thank you for clarifying that for me. Aeschia smiled.

Jacen smiled back, but then in the Kings area he saw silver hair.

"Shit, a Cyredathem," he swore, his face looked worried.

Perhaps the vampire hunter wouldn't recognise them as vampires in the crowd.

Aeschia quit the telepathy. She pulled Jacen over and yelled in his ear, "Let us just go with the crowd. There is no way we could be recognized. We look like all the others! If they sense vampires, how are they going to find us? Look at all these people! Plus, I am strong and heavily armed believe it or not! Just stick by me, OK?"

What is the King doing at a Slayer concert? She chuckled to herself.

She would remain on guard. Aeschia was exceptionally strong against hunters, and many items that affect most vampires did not hurt her one bit. She hoped they would not be recognized. She did not want Jacen's fun ruined.

She still could not believe she felt like his guardian or something. She grinned and tried to get into the music.

"Right," Jacen replied.

The opening of 'Seasons In The Abyss' came thundering out them. Jacen felt like his ears would start bleeding at any moment but he didn't care, it was only the worry about a Cyredathem in the crowd that was spoiling it for him.

Jacen kept checking up at the King's box, so far they had not been spotted.

"Do not look at them Jacen. They are more likely to notice you. Just ignore them. I will keep tabs on them. Besides, I do not have to look at them to know if they have spotted us. They are human. I can read them without them knowing, so if they spotted us, I will know and we can leave." Aeschia told him.

"Then, to be safe, I will take you to my residence. We will fly there and be there in a very short time. I can lift you and we would be gone and unable to be traced. I think you would like my home." Aeschia continued.

"So do not worry." She smiled at him reassuringly.

"I can't help it," Jacen sighed. "Maybe they'll just think I'm staring at the King."

Jacen tried to force it out of his mind on concentrate on Slayer instead.

"Hey Jacen! You pouted until I went through a lot of trouble to come and see this band, so you better just watch and enjoy it!" Aeschia chastised him teasingly.

"Do not look. You do not know my powers. You have seen a few, I can talk to you in your head, and I can fly... that is not the half of it. You should see me with weapons." Aeschia grinned. "Now enjoy the band!"

"I am enjoying the band," Jacen replied.

He was truely enjoying himself, even if he was worried by the pressence of a Cyredathem. Aeschia didn't know them, she couldn't possibly understand just how good they are at vampire hunting.

However, Aeschia could read the hunter's mind, and had the speed and reflexes that made her nearly invisible. She put on her cape, and put her weapons belt on, just in case, however, she could disguise and hide her vampirism from hunters or anyone. After all, she was 10,000 years old. Jacen could not, so she would watch over him.

She said to Jacen telepathically:

If you would be more comfortable leaving, that is fine with me. Jacen, no hunter can know I am a vampire. It is another trait from my age and my training. I am willing to leave with you immediately if you feel more comfortable. I will fly you to my place. If you like luxury, you will love it. Plus I have the best sound system and just about every kind of music. A TV that takes up a story and a half, a beautiful rooftop guarden for watching the stars. Weapons practice rooms including weapons. If you would rather stay, that would be fine, but you seem nervous, and the more you appear worried, the more you will be suspect, sweetie. I am happy to leave and we can listen to whatever you want at my place. Believe it or not, the sound system is better than this!

Aeschia smiled at him.

I'm comfortable here, Jacen replied. Just as long as I try to ignore the fact that there is a Cyredathem here.

That was easier said then done, just so long as he kept his back on the Kings box.

I will stand behind you. Aeschia replied. If you start to turn, I will grab ahold of you from the back. Your worry may make things worse. If you are concerned, you may stay with me this evening. I have many guest rooms and you would have your own servant. I think you would like it very much. Aeschia smiled at Jacen.

Plus I would fly you there!

Thank you Jacen replied.

I think you will enjoy it at my place... Your room would be like having your own apartment!

She really was getting a stronger feeling that she wanted to watch over Jacen and felt like the caretaker of this sweet, goofy Malkavalian.

Aeschia wondered... Is Zanaar seeing all this?

Doubt it, I live in whats called a benthouse suite, Jacen replied. You know, one of those large top floor places.

How many square feet? Aeschia asked. She had the best of the best as she had more money than anyone could spend. One suite is likely to be bigger than his entire apartment.

I don't know, Jacen shrugged.

Jacen was just so adoreable. Aeschia thought he would have a great time at her place as she had everything he could want.

Aeschia wondered what Tark was doing. Even being entertained by Jacen, she missed Tark.

Jacen continued to enjoy the music, furiously headbanging along to it. At least it was keeping his mind off the Cyredathem in the royal box, so far he had seemingly forgotten all about it.

Aeschia's amusement with Jacen had not even begun to wain. She had a huge grin on her face watching the Malkavian immerse himself in the music.

So far, nothing from the hunter.

ooc: DN, you have to play the hunter if he's doing or thinking anything.

The only thing that Aeschia would have picked up from the vampire hunter would be that he was drinking, chatting and generally having fun in the kings box. She would be able to tell that he had not spotted any vampires, nor was he actively looking for any. They were quite safe it would seem.

ooc: remember she can read his mind... the hunter.

Aeschia was glad Jacen was having a good time, however, she was looking forward to the end of the concert. Slayer just was not her thing, but it was nice to see Jacen without worry. Aeschia swore she was beginning to feel like, not his mother, but his aunt or something like that. Someone who was responsible for him. His naivetiy was so endearing to her. When she asked how many square feet his apartment was, and he said, "I don't know", she thought that was just funny as could be. She kept that to herself, however she was enjoying Jacen's antics and his company. The things that came out of his mouth just were so unexpected!

OOC: Just remember she still has to concentrate to read minds, I doubt she can concentrate very well at a Slayer concert :D

IC:

Soon Slayer had played their last song and had left the stage. As the crowd began to dispurse, Jacen looked up and saw the kings box was empty. No vampire hunter to be seen.

"Hey we made it," Jacen grinned.

His ears were ringing and he was loving it.

ooc: sure she can... she does not have to concentrate that much, plus she's ignoring the music! :D

"I am glad you enjoyed yourself Jacen." She smiled. Telepathically she said to him,

I do not see the hunter, I think you will be safer at my home. We can fly and be there very quickly. Would you like to do that? I guarantee your suite will be satisfactory.

Aeschia smiled at Jacen.

OOC: Well she'd have to concentrate to pick one person out of a crowd like that.

"Well better head outside then," Jacen suggested. "Go somewhere the crowds aren't then fly, wouldn't want to be captured on someone mobile, that'll get the Cyredathems interested."

After returning home to palatial estate, Tark instantly went to his plush bed and fell into a deep slumber. He had slept at Aeschia's place, but there was nothing in the world like sleeping in one's own bed - it was just the comfort of knowing you were home and the familiarity of your own cradle.

Several hours later when he woke up, he looked gently to his left and saw a faint blue light beeping on the handle of his cane. A message. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes and stretching his muscles, Tark picked up the wooden rod and examined the message... a dark message.

The details of the message meant that he had to tell Aeschia, but had no way of contacting her personally There was no other way but to send an agent...

***

"Excuse me, ma'am," a vampire said as he appeared out of the darkness. He handed Aeschia a folded piece of paper with a message scrawled inside. Just as quickly and secretly as he had arrived... he disappeared into the night.

Aeschia took the folded paper from the man, somewhat confused, wondering what it could be or who it could be from.

"Jacen, let us wait a minute. I need to read this first. I have no idea what it is or who it is from." She explained to the Malkavian.

The note seemed to have been scribbled quickly as it was quite messy.

Kindred did it: Jade
--------------------------The Count

Aeschia crumbled the note, wondering who Jade was. She never met anyone by that name. She contacted Tark telepathically:

Tark, thank you for the information.
Who is Jade?
Why was she hired?
Who hired her?
Where may she be found?

If you know the answers to any of these. I still have Jacen here and I think there is a hunter who has at least spotted him.

Can you help me with any of these questions? Aeschia left a two-way channel open so she could receive from him.

Whatever form of telepathy Aeschia was using, Tark didn't really understand it so he decided to just think what he wanted to say and hope the words were transmitted.

Jade is a vampire. She is a hired assassin.
She was hired to kill him. Why and by whom, I do not know. The immediate report did not go that far in depth. When I get the full report later I might know.

Where she is? Currently, I do not know, but she has an apartment.

"Jacen sweetie, I am looking for a woman named Jade. I was told you knew her and knew where she was." Aeschia smiled at him. "Jacen, how do you know her and where may I find her?" She asked the Malkavian sweetly.