NationStates Jolt Archive

Jacen stared blankly at Aeschia, blinking. He didn't know a Jade. "Umm, Jade... isn't that a type of shiny stone?" he asked, scratching the back of his neck. "Don't know anyone called that I don't think."

"Jacen, I am so sorry. I had some information confused... something I thought referred to you, but did not." Aeschia smiled apologetically.

Thank you Tark. This means a lot. Do you know where the apartment is?

"Jacen, into that alley and into that tiny dent in the building." She told him, and pulled him with her.

"OK, hold on Jacen. We are leaving now." She stood behind him and held Jacen under his arms. She knew he would be astounded at the speed of light. They would not even be visible.

"Here we go!" Aeschia said. and within a minute, they were on her rooftop garden. She would not have flown them so quickly had she not known there was a hunter around.

At that speed, they could not be followed.

"Well Jacen, this is my rooftop guarden. Why do we not take a walk through it and you can look around?" She asked him. "And of course, if you would like some mead, let me know and I will get one of the servants to bring some up for us." She smiled at the sweet Malkavian. "By the way, I hope the concert was all you hoped it to be."

"Hey that's alright, people always confuse me with things," Jacen grinned.

After the flight he was a little disoriented and briefly went cross-eyed before he looked around the garden. "Looks nice. I don't need anymore mead right now, drank too much before the concert."

As for the concert.

"It was fucking awesome, I loved it."

"Why do we not go inside then, Jacen, unless you would like to look at the sky and walk around the garden. What would you like to do?" Aeschia asked.

~~~~~~~~~~
Tark, again, do you know where the apartment is? She asked him telepathically.

Downtown, but slightly out of the way, Tark responded. Building called, "Brimstone" and her apartment is 138A. Be careful though... you never know what traps might lay in wait.

Thank you Tark. I will not go tonight. Tomorrow night perhaps.

Aeschia did not know how she was going to do this. She needed a plan.

Jacen raised his arm and looked at the sky. For such a large city with a large amount of light emitting from it, the fact that it never had light pollution dimming the stars was amazing. The stars were as clear as if they were out in the wilderness away from civilisation.

"I can see the music," he grinned. "Sure, inside in the warm would be nice."

"The sky is beautiful," Aeschia agreed. "Let us go inside then."

She telekinetically opened the door to the stairs down into the residence. They were at the top of the marble landing with the two stairways going down and the vaulted ceiling, the huge room below.

"Follow me Jacen." she told him.

"Would you like to watch a movie or something? What would you like to do? If you are very tired, I can show you your suite, and you can rest." Aeschia told Jacen.

Jacen followed Aeschia inside, he was suitibly impressed by her home. It was very different to his, this was much more of calm place.

"I don't know," he admitted. "I'm not tired, suns not up for a few hours and my ears still ring to the sounds of Slayer."

"Well, think of something." Aeschia smiled. "I have weapons rooms, movies, music... pretty much whatever you can think of Jacen." She grinned at him.

Jacen thought for a moment. "Are the films full of violence, blood and gore?" he then asked. "Or do you have any of those artsy black and white films that only the utterly insane can understand or like?"

"I have both Jacen, which would you like? The artsy and insane?" Aeschia chuckled.

Jacen thought for a moment, his face seemingly going blank. "Insane sound rather good right now actually," he replied.

"I have a black and white movie, that is even a bit twisted for me. It is called 'Pi'". Aeschia told him.

Have a seat. She pointed to a huge couch. She then telekinetically lowered a wall to expose a two story TV/Movie screen.

"Would you like something to eat or drink Jacen?" She asked as she telekinetically set up the movie to go.

"Perhaps you can explain this movie to me! It is about a brilliant mathamatician who has severe migraines. I found it bizarre." Aeschia grinned at Jacen. He is just so adorable!

Tark paced the grand library of his estate, waiting for the full report to come in. He looked down at his gold, pocket watch that had been tucked inside his vest pocket. One hour...

Deciding that pacing wasn't going to do any good, Tark sat down in his normal comfy chair and began reading a book: "The Complete Works of Charles Darwin"

"I've heard of it, never watched it," Jacen said, sitting down in front of the telly. "Pizza and mead always go well with a good film."

Settling down on the couch, he looked over at Aeschia.

"I'll try, can't promise it'll make any more sense than the film itself."

Aeschia hit an intercom: "Darlene, would you please bring a loaded pizza and a pitcher and two mugs of mead?" She asked the servant. "Thank you very much."

In no time, Darlene was there with the pizza and mead. "Thanks Darlene." She smiled at her. "Darlene, this is Jacen. He will be staying with us this evening. I am sure all the suites are in order. They always are. Jacen, this is Darlene." She smiled at the both of them.

Aeschia poured mead for both of them and gave Jacen a huge slice of pizza on a plate. Aeschia was not that hungry yet. Plus she had an odd habit of eating just the crust, which she would likely do later, giving Jacen double toppings.

"Hello!" Jacen said with a wave and a goofy sounding voice.

Jacen decided to wait for the film to start before eating or drinking.

Jacen is so adorable! I cannot get over it!

Aeschia telekinetically started the movie. "Here we go!" She grinned.

"Alright!" Jacen grinned as the film started.

He took a huge bite of pizza and followed it with a huge gulp of mead.

Aeschia grinned widely at Jacen. He was so entertaining, she just could not get enough of what made her chuckle, which was just his personality. Hanging with a Malkavian for a night was proving to be a bit of fun.

Jacen raised his hand and pointed to the screen, "That man will drive himself insane if he carries on like this," he then said.

"Jacen, I think he started that way!" Aeschia threw her head back and rolled with laughter. "There is a part in here that maybe you should not see. I do not want you to get any kooky ideas... like jumping off a building to see what people on the ground will do!" She grinned at him.

Jacen tapped his head. "Like I started this way?" he asked. "If I shouldn't see a part of this film why is it still on?"

"Well, Jacen just promise me you will not do anything you see in the film. Will you promise?" Aeschia asked.

"I promise, dragons honour," Jacen said, holding his right hand up.

"OK, then we can watch the movie straight through." Aeschia laughed.

"Woo hoo!" Jacen jumped for joy and took a gulp of mead.

"You are going to think it is weird, Jacen, but so do I." Aeschia chuckled.

"If you want anything else to eat or drink, let me know." She told him.

The movie progressed, the character able to come up with mathamatical formulas undiscovered. Then the killer migraines, blackouts, and he would wake up and not know what happened...

"Ok I will,"Jacen replied.

As the film progressed more and more pizza and mead was consumed.

"I can relate to the blackouts."

"You have blackouts Jacen?" Aeschia said, surprised. "How often, and how do they affect you?"

"Now and then," Jacen replied and looked rather blank for a moment. "I have periods of time that are a mystery to me."

"Interesting," Aeschia replied. I wonder if it is a Malkavian thing or something else.

ooc: Taking a break... be back later.

Jacen folded his arms. "It's not interesting if I don't remember it," he replied.

"No no Jacen... I meant that it was interesting that you had blackouts. I had no idea. Of course the blackouts are not interesting. This movie is strange as I believe he does most his creative work during blackouts... I think. It is the way he relieves his unbearable painful migraines, and the result, that is sad." Aeschia explained.

"More mead, sweetie?"

"Oh right." Jacen wondered if he could do the same, probably not too insane. Plus he was far from being a genius, he spoke only Draconian and no other language. Genius' always spoke several.

He held up his tankard. "Sure," he grinned.

Aeschia smiled and took Jacen's tankard. She filled it and asked if he would like more pizza or any other time of food... popcorn perhaps?

"Has anyone ever witnessed your blackouts and told you what you did during that time? That would be helpful. Perhaps you are doing something amazing and do not even know it. Perhaps not, but would it not be interesting to know?" She asked.

"OK... popcorn, more pizza? Any food you desire, we can get, and I mean any!, Aeschia reiterated to Jacen.

She was smitten with Jacen like a younger brother. He was so sweet she just could not get over it. It still crossed her mind as to whether Zanaar was watching, however, it did not matter. Their activities for the evening were far from exciting to a prince.

"No I just put it down to insanity," Jacen replied, looking down at the now empty plate. "More pizza please, I love it."

Aeschia paged Darlene for another pizza, and shortly she brought another one.

"How do you like the movie so far?" Aeschia asked Jacen.

ooc: I'll be gone for about 1/2 hr.

"It's odd, I like it," Jacen replied, giving the thumbs up.

"Odd it is!" Aeschia grinned. "I am glad you like it Jacen."

"How long does it go on for?" Jacen then asked, gulping down mead.

"I think about 80 minutes? I cannot recall exactly Jacen. The end is so strange and sad it is worth waiting for." Aeschia informed him.

"I like strange," Jacen then said. "Sad, I'm not overly fond of though."

"I like happy endings myself, however, this works together, even though it makes you kind of sad at the end." Aeschia explained. "It is necessary in this movie. It makes it work. However, there is definitely more strange so far, do you not agree?" She asked Jacen.

"You know what Jacen? You are a lot of fun. I bet you have lots and lots of friends." Aeschia smiled at him. She really appreiciated his oddities.

Jacen looked up at Aeschia from his now slouched position. "I'm more of a solitary type," he replied.

"Oh, well then I consider it an honor that you are spending your evening with me." Aeschia smiled at Jacen.

Jacen grinned. "Most vampires don't invite me round for meed," he replied. "Well fellow Malkavians do, don't know why though."

"You are, as I said, lovely company, Jacen. You are fun, very interesting, and your conversation is always a surprise. Plus you are very sweet." Aeschia smiled at Jacen. "I bet if more kindred knew you, they would want to spend time with you as well."

"Thanks," Jacen smiled, taking a huge gulp of mead. "It doesn't really bother me though."

"Just do not underrate yourself. You are wonderful. I have never spent an evening with just one Malkavian and gotten to know him, and I am very pleasantly surprised. You make me happy Jacen." Aeschia smiled sweetly at him.

"I'm glad I do make you happy," Jacen then said. "I try to please the prince as well."

"I do not see how you cannot please him." Aeschia responded to Jacen. "You are so nice, and I would bet you do all things he asks without question. What prince would not like someone like that working for him." She smiled again.

"Of course I please him, because I fullfill my quests as ordered," Jacen replied.

"You are a very good worker, Jacen. One question... was staying with me one of Zanaar's requests?" Aeschia asked.

Jacen shook his head. "No," he replied, biting into a slice of pizza.

Aeschia smiled, "Well it is nice to know you are spending time with me because you are enjoying yourself."

Jacen grinned. "Because you're kind," he replied.

"How nice of you to say." Aeschia smiled sweetly. "I hope we can remain freinds Jacen. You are very sweet." She was quite touched.

"I'd like to too," Jacen grinned. "Friends."

Aeschia leaned over and gave Jacen a hug... "Friends." She said, smiling.

Jacen smiled. "Just promise me one thing," the then said. "Promise me that'll you'll remain loyal to the prince."

"Jacen, the Tremere in this city are loyal to the prince. I am not from here. No one will let me meet him or tell me about him. How can I remail loyal to something that does not even exist for me? I want to know how he works." Aeschia answered. "If the Tremere here are loyal to him, my guess is he is a good kindred, however, I cannot be faithful to something I am blind to. Do you understand? It is likely I will be, but no one will allow me to meet the man, and that is very important to me, Jacen." Aeschia explained.

"Of course he's good, he keeps vampire hunter attacks as low as possible," Jacen replied. "Cyredathem and others had killed 90% of the vampire population before he became prince and he is my boss, most workers don't know their boss."

"You told me you never met him, Jacen... earlier tonight." Aeschia looked at him perplexed.

"I know," Jacen replied. "But I know what hes done, I know he's real."

"I want to meet him Jacen." Aeschia looked at him forelornly.

"So would I, theres a long waiting list though," Jacen replied.

"So you see, I cannot swear to something I do not know, and have never seen." Aeschia explained.

Jacen pulled out a picture from his trenchcoat. On it was a picture of a man. "That's what he looks like," he said.

Boaz woke up with Jade laying next to him. He thought to himself, That was the best sex I have ever had in my life. And I have been with a lot of girls. He looked over at Jade sleeping peacefully. He wondered what the beautiful vixen was thinking. He wouldn't dare read her mind. It wasn't his style to read every person he met mind. He took his hand and rubbed it over her smooth skin. She started to smile and then Jade opened her eyes. Boaz smiled and said, "She awakes." Jade stood up and said, "Do you have a robe I can where?" Boaz went to his bathroom and brought out one of his robes. She took the robe and smiled. Jade thought to herself, I wonder when my next job starts. I might quit now that I met Boaz. I wouldn't even need to kill again as long as I stay here with him. She glanced at Boaz and smiled. Boaz then said, "I am about to take a shower. I'll be out in a couple of moments." Boaz walked into the bathroom and undressed. Jade quickly followed him to the bathroom. Boaz looked at her and said, "Do you wish to take a shower also?" Jade smirked and threw the robe on the floor and jumped in. Boaz nodded his head and stepped in behind her. They stayed in the shower for the next three hours.

"So that is the prince," Aeschia replied. "When I say 'I have never seen the prince', I mean in person. I want to meet him Jacen prior to making some sort of decision. I wish you could understand that." She put her hands over her eyes and sighed.

"My guess is that I will be loyal to him. I want to meet him myself prior to deciding Jacen. I wish you could get me a meeting with him, as I cannot decide without speaking to him in person." She then looked at Jacen and said, "Jacen, if he hired you, he is probably a great guy." Aeschia grinned at him.

"Let us watch the movie.

Jacen put the picture away.

"You know, most Draconians have never met King Kurt II and are still loyal to him," he pointed out.

"I am sure that is true, Jacen. However, that is not the way I run my own life. I need information from the source to make a decision." Aeschia explained as she poured another mead for him.

"Oh watch! The good part is coming up!" She told Jacen, regarding the movie.

Jacen just sighed. She wasn't going to change her tone so he just sat back to watch the rest of the film.

Aeschia cringed... the scene where the main character cannot stand the pain of his migraines any longer is showing: The man gives himself a bloody lobotomy with a drill in the bathroom. Following, he has no more headaches, however he loses his mathamatical genius and just lays around on park benches at the end.

"That is so sad." Aeschia said. "It really makes me feel sad, Jacen. An excellent movie, but the ending... it was the only way to end it, but it is still sad." She gave Jacen a wan smile.

"So how did you like the movie?" She asked.

"It was weird," he remarked. "I know someone who drilled their own head, wasn't me though I'm not that insane."

He picked up the tankard and downed the last of the mead.

"Oh wow Jacen! How horrible! Do not ever do anything like that Jacen!" Aeschia exclaimed, alarmed.

"People used to do it to get a one off high," Jace said and then grinned. "Of course often it went wrong and they drilled too far."

He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"One offs are so boring."

"If you do something like that, all you get is one!" Aeschia exclaimed, horrified.

"On another note, would you like to see another movie or do anything else?" Aeschia asked Jacen.

"I don't know," Jacen shrugged. "What do you want to do?"

"Oh, I am pretty flexible, Jacen. I am sure whatever you would like to do would be fine." Aeschia sipped her mead.

"Hey, I'm really not fussy," Jacen replied. "It is your home."

"Do you want to shoot some exotic guns?" Aeschia smiled with a twinkle in her eye. "I have a range and pretty much every type of pistol and rifle ever made. If you do notknow how, I can teach you to target shoot and get as close to center as possible. It is very relaxing. What do you think Jacen?"

"Well I'm more of a sword vampire myself," Jacen grinned. "Could be interesting though."

"Oh excellent!" Aeschia jumped up! I am an expert shinobi and I also have just about every sword ever made! Plus a sparring room! It is my favorite place. Are you good? I do not want my head hacked off Jacen!" She grinned at him.

"We can do that if you prefer. I use a really wild fighting style. It is sort of like watching circus performers assassinate people." She knew that would give Jacen a big grin.

"Well often I can behead an enemy before they've even realised I've drawn my sword," Jacen boasted.

Sure he was interested, but saying she had just about every sword ever made was just exagerating it a great deal.

"Sure."

Aeschia was 10,000 years old... when she said every type of sword ever made, she meant it and it was no exageration.

"I think you will be surprised, Jacen." She smiled with a twinkle in her eye.

They walked down a long corridor and Aeschia again telekinetically opened the door to the sword and metal weapons, and sparring room. It was huge and it did contain just about all if not all swords ever made... at least since 10,000 years ago.

"So what do you think Jacen?" Aeschia smiled.

Jacen looked around. "Awesome," he grinned. "Pity you don't have Excalibur though."

Aeschia smirked. "Come here Jacen." She brought him over to an inpeneterable glass with alarms holding a sword on velvet. "That is it Jacen." She smiled at him.

"Sorry but it's a fake," Jacen replied. "The King actually has the real Excalibur, I've seen it."

He then looked toward with apoligetic eyes.

"I'm sorry for saying that."

Aeschia snickered... "ahhhh Jacen.... he has the fake! I got this right from the hand of King Arthur, dear." She smiled at him. "I am kind of old." She laughed.

"That was not King Arthur," came a womans voice. "You were duped by beings unknown, I know because I can see."

Jacen turned around to see a young woman who had no eyes stood in the room with them.

"Marie," he said, recognising the princes seer.

"Who invited you here?" Aeschia said angrily. "And why are you here? As to the sword, it is no big deal. It is not as if I paid for it. And it is still beautiful and well crafted. I knew king Arthur for many years. I sat at his round table... are you telling me someone swapped his sword? Because it was King Arthur who gave it to me." Aeschia told the uninvited guest.

"And please explain, how and why you are here uninvited." Aeschia was quite angry.

"That is not Excalibur, it has never been to avalon, the metal's used are not native to Avalon," Marie said. "King Kurt II has the real Exacalibur otherwise he could not have defeated his grandfather, I watched his journey to Avalon."

Jacen looked at Marie intensely, "Why did the prince send you?" he asked.

"To warn you," she replied. "Aeschia, you plan to organise a dinner and invite the prince to come. Because he is interested in you he accepts but I have seen that the Sabbat attack so this dinner party must not happen."

"I just said that it may not be Excalibur, but this sword was given to me by King Arthur, so someone had to have switched it on him at some point." Aeschia tried to make her follow the reasoning.

"I would not invite the prince. He refuses to meet me. And I was not planning any dinner party." Aeschia replied.

"Can I meet the prince somewhere else? I do not like this hiding out thing. It is as if he has something to hide." Aeschia continued. "Can I meet the prince at his residence? And by the way... how did you get in here. It responds to only my telekinesis. No Sabbat can get in either, but you did." Aeschia was getting angrier by the minute.

"Jacen here, is a wonderful companion. You are rude and obnoxious and show up uninvited in a condo you should not be able to get into. How did you do it, and how could any Sabbat do it. Also, if this dinner party would happen, which it is not, the prince would not show up anyway. He refuses to meet me. I want to meet him at his residence if that is the only way." She replied.

"I want answers to all these questions." Aeschia stood up with her hands on her hips, angry as hell.

Marie was about to say something. Jacen didn't let her, he reached for a gun under his trenchcoat and shot her. A hole appeared in her forehead and she fell to the ground. Stepping over to her, he looked down, his face expressionless.

Marie now had no face.

Aeschia looked at Jacen in shock. "Jacen, why did you do that? Did the Prince tell you to do that so she would not answer my questions? Why?" Tears started falling down Aeschia's face.

"I do not understand. Why would you do that?" She sat down and put her head in her hands and cried. The fun Malkavian just shocked the hell out of her. Was it Zanaar?

"Jacen, tell me why... we were having... so much fun." Tears flowed down her face. "Were you ordered to do this?" She asked.

Aeschia immediately paged Darlene and they got her to a bed and tended to her wounds as best as possible.

"Jacen, I did not think you would ever do something so horrible." She looked at him as if she did not know him.

"Tell me why you did this!"

"You said it yourself, she was rude," Jacen replied. "I've met Marie twice before and she was never rude."

He knelt down at the side of the body.

"She is also invincible to bullets, for shooting her like this I would have been given an electric shook, but nothing."

He touched the faceless face with a hand.

"And look at her face, it's gone."

He stood up once again and looked toward Aeschia.

"Those trying to overthrow the prince were trying to trick us."

"You mean to say that is not Marie?!" Aeschia replied in shock! "Do you know who it is Jacen?" She asked. "And how did she get in? This structure is built so only I can get in!" Aeschia was confused.

"Do you know why the imposter was here, Jacen?"

"That also means I DO have the real Excalibur! Well that is one good thing, but, Jacen tell me what this is about? I am so confused Jacen!" She looked at him as if she was the Malkavian.

"No, she's correct about Excalibur," Jacen replied. "It's widely known that the only way the King could defeat his grandfather was with the real Excalibur."

He looked down at the dead body.

"A shifter, she could have come in as a stone stuck in the tread on the bottom of your shoe."

He managed a smirked.

"The rebels must believe you're becoming loyal to the prince, guess she didn't hear that part."

"Well, my sword was still given to me by King Arthur, whether someone stole the original from him or not, so it has lots of sentimental value. He was a good man." Aeschia stated.

"Jacen, now that this... thing has showed up in my own home, I think I deserve quite a bit more information. I want to meet the prince. I want to know who is after him and why exactly. Has he done something to someone that hurt them? Please Jacen, I am stuck being involved now and I need knowledge! I am begging you!" Aeschia pleaded with Jacen.

"We have to get rid of this wretch." Aeschia telekinetically moved her to the roof and over about 8 buildings and left her on the roof there. This had ruined her night.

"He has done nothing to hurt them, it is his position of power that he wants," Jacen replied and looked over at Aeschia. "He doesn't know who they are, Marie has never been able to see their faces. That's why you and other newcomers, as well as those who seem as though they might want power were under survailance."

He then gave her a goofy grin.

"Chances are, the prince is going to be even more interested in you now, good not bad."

"Well good, Jacen. I really want to meet him, especially because my clan supports him, and I am curious as to why that thing showed up at my house, as I know nothing about any of this." Aeschia shook her head.

"Makes no sense, and I am upset. Do you know what I do when I am upset sometimes?" She grinned slyly. "I get completely drunk!" She poured more mead for herself and chugged the tankard. "Not very feminine is it." She chuckled. "More for you, Jacen?" She smiled.

"By the way, thank you for taking care of that intruder." Aeschia gave him another friendly hug. "I like you Jacen! You are fun!" She grinned, obviously getting drunk.

"I have more movies, games, music of all types, but I do not want to listen to Slayer or anything of that genre right now, thank you very much!" She giggled.

"Well you're currently getting drunk so I can safely say you won't be meeting him in your current state," Jacen pointed out.

He thought for a moment.

"Got anything against drone doom."

"I was not expecting to meet him tonight... what is this 'drone doom' garbage? You are not telling me what you want to do!" Aeschia informed Jacen.

"Drone doom, it's a genre of music, like funeral doom," Jacen then said.

"Ahhhh... I do not want to listen to that! I was thinking something fun and upbeat!" Aeschia said as she drank her mead.

"What something shitty like happy hardcore?" Jacen sighed. "That stuff makes me want to kill myself."

"You seemed to like Slayer just fine." Aeschia retorted.

"How about some old Damned... you get a little of everything... goth/punk sorta...?"

Jacen narrowed his eyes. "Because Slayer is nothing like Happy Hardcore, Slayer is pure agression," he replied. "The Damned? Didn't they do Eloise?"

"Never heard of it... OK, you want some sinking tunes... You cannot go wrong with The Sisters of Mercy." Aeschia grinned. "If you are not familiar with them, I would be quite surprised."

Immediately the song "Black Planet" began to play. "Is this to your liking Jacen? And by the way, I was not referring to any 'happy hardcore'. I was thinking Bad Religion, The Damned, Korn, Ministry... but if you want pure sinking goth... these guys invented it." Aeschia smiled at Jacen.

"Corn, never heard of them," Jacen replied. "Now Ministry, Ministry I like."

The pink-haired vampire then closed his eyes as he listened to the music.

OOC: I hate Korn so they don't exist in DN :p

ooc: aaaaaaack!!! You hate "Here to Stay"? That song is amazing, musically and lyrically... BLASPHEMER!

"It is 'Korn', with a K. Yes, I have seen Ministry live. They are amazing! But The Sisters of Mercy are that goth/doom music you suggested. They pretty much invented it, you know." Aeschia informed him.

Oh, Jacen is so precious!

Before Jacen could answer, she said, "Jacen can I give you a hug?" and proceeded to hug him. "You are so sweet and... I just love spending time with you!" Aeschia moved back and smiled at the teenaged, pink haired, gay Malkavalian. "I am so glad we met Jacen! Really! This has been a really enjoyable evening for me!" She exclaimed.

"I hope you had fun as well. Of course you did, you got to see Slayer, and get rid of one of Zanaar's enemies! Plus free food and mead all night." Aeschia winked and smirked at the precious kindred.

"Actually Black Sabbath invented doom," Jacen pointed out. "Paranoid and all that and sure give me a hug."

He smiled.

"Of course tonight was a fun night."

"Jacen, Black Sabbath is just doom lyriced rock. The Sisters of Mercy are the true thing!" Aeschia grinned. "I think we could argue about this all night." She laughed. "I am glad you had a good time Jacen." She smiled.

"Would you like any more food, mead, or anything at all? I am telling you, I have just about everything here."

"Saying that is like saying Sisters is just goth lyriced rock, if it wasn't for Sabbath most bands wouldn't be around today," Jacen said, shaking his head. "Doom bands are influenced by Sabbath not Sisters."

He wondered about the having just about everything here part, the voice in his head made him a suggestion.

"Even unicorn piss?"

"Sisters is Goth, Sabbath is NOT. I suggest we stop talking about music or we will end up screaming at each other." Aeschia laughed.

"Unicorn piss?" Aeschia looked at Jacen oddly. "I assume that was a Malkavian moment?" She asked Jacen. "That would be something I would not want in my home. Wow... that was... Malkavian..." She said, but smiled at him understandingly.

"You called them doom earlier," Jacen said with a pout.

He folded his arms.

"Just testing to see what you had," he then grinned.

"Goth IS doom!" Aeschia retorted. "By the way, I have everything Black Sabbath ever did." She grinned at Jacen.

"So you are going to tell me that The Cure are doom?" Jacen replied. "No, goth and doom are very separete genres."

Jacen laughed.

"Next you'll be saying Inkubus Sukkubus are doom as well. I also have all Black Sabbaths stuff."

"The Cure are not goth! Just because the guy wears makeup does not make the music goth, you know!" Aeschia retorted and pouted.

"Jacen, we should stop talking about music, as I do not believe we will ever agree!" She said. "So what do you want to do?" She asked Jacen.

"But they were part of the early goth movement," Jacen replied.

He stood up and stretched.

"I'm kinda hungry, need blood, mead makes me that way."

"No more music talk." Aeschia replied.

"Darlene, two glasses please." She said into the pager. Darlene arrived with two wine glasses filled with blood.

"I keep some around so if I am feeling lazy I do not have to hunt." Aeschia grinned. She put her glass up in a toast and said "Cheers Jacen!"

"Aww," Jacen said mockingly. Blood tastes better after a good hunt, but I suppose this is better then having a chance of running into a Cyredathem."

He held up his glass.

"Cheers."

Aeschia smiled. "You see, for the most part I only drink from other Kindred, and criminals... not innocents. It is something I learned from my Sire and former husband, and I have not been disappointed yet. There are plent of asshole bastards beating the innocent for $2, that can be dinner." She went on.

"I also enjoy the blood from those who attack me." She shook her head. "Rapists and such. I make sure they feel the fear that their victims felt before I 86 them... for they deserve it."

"True," Jacen remarked and sipped the blood. "So who's blood is this?"

"Actually, I do not know... it belongs to a Tremere, of course." Aeschea told Jacen. "Probably Drake, with my luck." She rolled her eyes.

Jacen swallowed and shook his head, his eyes going wide. "It tastes strange, different," he said. "I can see the music."

It is like he is tripping or something.Aeschia thought.

"Do you like it, Jacen? It should strengthen you as well as quench your hunger."

Jacen held his hand up in front of his face. "The music is dancing the Can Can," he then said, taking another sip. "It's strange, I like strange."

Aeschia grinned at Jacen thinking, Well, you certainly are strange!

I am glad you like it. Aeschia poured another tankard of mead and drank more slowly this time.

"How drunk are you?" Jacen suddenly asked.

"How do you measure? On a scale of one to ten?" Aeschia smiled. "Not where I'll be hung over or anything. How about you, Mr. Can Can?" She laughed.

"Very low I do believe," Jacen replied. "Takes alot to get a Draconian drunk. Any insanity is because I'm a Malkavian."

"Are you saying you want more mead?" Aeschia grinned at Jacen.

"Damn right," Jacen grinned and looked down at the blood. "After I finish my blood of course."

Aeschia paged Darlene, and more mead was brought out. "Would you like anything more to eat as well?" Aeschia asked?

"And I would like to talk more about the prince." She smiled.

"Nah I'm fine," Jacen said, patting his stomach.

Then there was that prince question again. He only knew what he does, what he looks like but not what he likes.

"I don't know his likes, dislikes."

"Well, I am wondering since Rube and Jonas approached my friend and I and were basically spying on us for the prince. I do not understand all of that." Aeschia replied.

Jacen looked up at Aechia. "You don't understand that?" he looked rather puzzled. "We are his eyes and ears beyond Marie since she can't see everything."

"I do understand that. What I am wondering, has someone specifically threatened him, or is he paranoid or something?" Aeschia asked Jacen.

"He's had threats, hundreds of them," Jacen explained.

"Who has threatened him Jacen? One particular group, or what? It seems he should have many guards. And what type of policies has he instituted that have upset some of the other clans?" Aeschia asked.

"I've told you, it's the power he has as prince that they want," Jacen hated repeating himself. "Individuals, gaining smalltime support growing larger on false promises."

"Jacen... WHAT power? What decisions has he made in the past, for example. His politics over the vampires. What has he done? What laws or rules has he created? This is what I am interested in, as whomever wants this power must not be happy with the decisions that the prince has made." Aeschia was trying to make Jacen understand politics. Perhaps he did.

"Can you tell me some decisions he has made formally as prince, Jacen?" Aeschia asked.

"Be the prince you control the vampire population," Jacen said. "It's fuck all about what he's done it's what he has, they want it."

He raised a finger at Aeschia, trying to make her understand it was power not actual actions that Zanaar that these vampires want. Would she really get it, Jacen wondered, she didn't seem to grasp that vampire politics were nothing more than having power over other vampires.

"It is not the decisions he has made, it is the power he has to lay orders over the Camarilla. They want their own vampire armies to rage war against the mortals."

"That is it Jacen! WHAT ORDERS has he layed?! Power without use of it is nothing!

"The Camarilla want to wage war against mortals?! Is that what you said?! The prince sanctions this?" Aeschia asked stunned.

"Not all the Camarilla, just parts of it, the prince will not listen to those who wish war on the mortals," Jacen replied. "Just on the vampire hunters."

"A very wise man. I agree with that completely." Aeschia smiled. She always interacted with mortals, and that was part of her life. Hunters on the other hand, would be another story... That King's Family may quite a problem here.

"A war on mortals would damage the blood supply and bring out hunters in ever increasing numbers," Jacen replied. "We are creatures of the shadows and the prince intends that we stay that way."

"I mingle with mortals on a regular basis Jacen. I always have. They do not suspect, other than hunters. Mortals are... like we used to be. But the prince is right... why cause a lot of unnecessary chaos. The humans are pretty decent most the time. I agree with the Prince. So the ones against him want to wage war against the mortals? Well, I am Camarilla... Tremere, and I know for a fact that the Tremere support the prince... I would have thought it was the Sabbat that would be the problem." Aeschia said to Jacen.

"By the way, let me know when you want me to show you to your suite."

Jacen nodded. "Even the Tremere have their rebels," he warned. "Those that say that they are loyal may not do so behind closed doors."

He turned to the window and looked out.

"I will, just not yet, the sun is yet to rise so I would be unable to sleep."

"I can assure you the Tremere are loyal as a clan. So far I have seen a good share of the Tremere, scanned their minds, and they are loyal. I have yet to come across those who have it in their heads to harm the prince. It seems to me he has made the best decision there is.

"Jacen, as far as the sun rising, in this place, you could go weeks without knowing, unless you have a good circadian rhythm. All the windows have metal completely dark pieces that slide into place any time. For example, since it is getting close to dawn, I will shut them all now. Then we have a windowless home." Aeschia explained.

She used her telekinesis to activate the steel doors that slid over the windows... no light whatsoever from outside. "Convenient, huh... that way, if you need to walk around, you are not necessarily stuck in one spot.

"What amenities would you like in your suite? This way we can choose one that is most appropriate." Aeschia asked Jacen.

Jacen raised an arm. "I have a well balanced body clock, I don't need to see the sun come up to know it's coming up," he explained. "I'll start getting tired until I pass out. The window metal things are good though."

His mind went blank for a moment and he looked like he was lost in thought.

"Amenities?"

"Amenities... the nice things you want in your room... great stereo for when you wake up, TV, whirlpool... I'll just give you one with all of that. It is about 5,000 square feet, has two floors and a balcony, a huge bed with curtains, a stereo with speakers everywhere. Of course it has a large bath and shower, great giant TV... all controlled from one remote so when you wake up, you can just click on some music or the TV, or whatever you want to do. If you need anything, including food, there is another buzzer you can use to ring Darlene or one of the other servants and they will get what you need." Aeschia explained, smiling.

Jacen smiled, "That sounds lovely," he said. "Thank you."

"Just let me know when." Aeschia smiled. She was wondering how Tark was doing. Now that the night was winding down, Aeschia's thoughts returned to her dead friend and search for the assassin.

She would go to the apartment possibly tomorrow night.

"Now if you wish?" Jacen said.

"All right then, follow me, Jacen."

They walked down a long corridor, passing many paintings and pieces of artwork as they walked... some fountains as well.

There was an entry foyer to the left, which led to large, two story mahogany doors. Aeschia gave Jacen a key, but she opened the doors telekinetically.

The first thing they saw was a water fountain.

"As you can see, it is pretty much a self contained apartment. Follow me."

Aeschia showed him the various rooms, the controls, the massive bedroom with a massive four poster bed with red velvet curtains all around. She showed him where the CDs were, and how the walls moved to reveal tv sets in some of the rooms. Everything was huge and lavish.

"There is a wine bottle in the refrigerator, however, it contains blood. There is other food in the pantry and in the fridge. If there is anything you need that you do not see here, this is the pager button to hit for a servant." She told him as she handed him the pager/intercom.

"Is everything to your satisfaction, Jacen?" Aeschia asked.

The truth was, it was over the top even for royalty.

"Whoa!" Jacens eyes went wide...

For a moment he said nothing, he just took everything in. He soon snapped out of the daze and looked toward Aeschia.

"It's awesome, I love it," he grinned.

Aeschia smiled at Jacen. "I am glad you like it. It is one of my favorite guest suites.

"I suppose I am going to go off to my own quarters and sleep. It has been a long night, although interesting and fun, but I am exhausted!

"By the way, when you wake up, feel free to do whatever you want... if you want to hang out in the suite, feel free to do so, or if you want to spend some time in the main section of the home, go ahead. I would like it if you would stay at least until I wake up so that I may say goodbye." Aeschia smiled.

"Sleep well!"

"Thank you," Jacen said and bowed.

So that was my night with a Malkavian. Jacen is so sweet! His naiveté is so endearing. I cannot help but want to hug him and take care of him! Aeschia thought, as she got ready for bed, changing into a long black nightgown. Jacen had really grown on her.

From what he has said regarding the prince, he seems to be wise. I do not like the idea of war against mortals. I like mortals. Hunters, I understand.

From what she had heard from Jacen regarding Prince Zanaar, he seemed to be someone she would get behind. She knew the Tremere were behind him, despite Jacen's paranoia. Aeschia thought the real enemy were the Sabbat clans.

As soon as the sun came up, Jacen passed out and fell asleep sprawled over the bed. There he would sleep until dusk.

Eventually, Aeschia fell into a deep, sound sleep. All the cares of the world gone for now.

Slowly the sun began to disappear beyond the horizon. Jacen's eyes shot open before her leapt up and took his gun from his trenchcoat, pointing it at the bed.

"Ah-ha!" he yelled. "Come out with your hands up."

Silence, Jacen waited and waited. Since nothing showed up he got bored and put the gun away. He decided to go wander the mansion instead.

Aeschia was still sleeping when Jacen got up. She really felt like sleeping in. She put on some soft music and rolled over, going back to sleep.

Jacen's stomach growled, prompting him to return to his suite. He took the wine bottle out from the fridge and poured himself a glass. Sitting down on the bed he turned the telly on to some film with alot of car crashes in.

"Man this is luxury," he said to himself.

Aeschia was being quite leisurely. She started filling the hot tub with hot water and lighting scented candles for her bath... Until then, she just rested and listened to music.

Jacen's mobile beeped and he leaned over to pick it up. A text message, direct from the prince himself.

Go to The Oblivioar Resturant at 10pm bring the one known as Aeschia.

Jacen sighed and looked over at the clock, just gone seven in the evening so in less then three hours he and Aeschia had to be at this resturant. Problem was, he wasn't sure where in the mansion she was right now...

Aeschia had finished her bath and was dressed elegantly in an emerald green silk strapless gown--form fitting and slit up the back, jeweled high heels, emerald dangle earings and a matching pendant. Her hair was in a fancy up-do and she was dressed for the nicest place she may want to go this evening. She looked drop-dead stunning.

She walked out of her suite and paged Darlene asking her to bring Jacen to the front room and they would meet there.

Jacen managed to get himself lost, he had no idea where in the mansion he was, he sure didn't recognise the hallway.

"Oh boy," he sighed.

Aeschia, assuming the Malkavian was lost, chuckled to herself and then zeroed in on his mind and read it telepathically to find where he was.

Shortly she came upon Jacen, looking discombobulated. "Got a little lost I see?" Aeschia grinned at Jacen. "Do not worry. As I said, it is a large place. The rest of the bulding consists of apartments, condos, and offices. I have the top 3 floors, but it is huge, and if you do not know your way around, it is possible to get lost.

"You could have used your pager and paged Darlene. She would have come and brought you back." Aeschia continued.

"We got back after a long night and came in from the rooftop garden, which is almost a jungle in itself, with a beautiful view of the stars. Are you aware that we are on the top floors of a skyscraper?" She asked Jacen.

"After flying here and landing on the roof and all the mead, I was not sure if you realized we are in a huge tall skyscraper on the top 3 floors, not a separate mansion or palace. It is actually a condo.

"I would like to show you the stars and the view over the railing so you can see how high up we are. I bet you thought we were on the ground floor of an estate, am I right?"

"Also, I wanted to talk to you about something, but first can I show you where we are? Let us go talk on the roof."

The metal window covers opened, and looking out the windows, it could now be seen that they were not on the ground.

"Did you find your suite adequate?"

"Yes, lost like the series, heh," Jacen replied, seeming rather confused.

"Skyscraper? We're high up then."

Jacen looked up in wonder, he'd forgotten what he was meant to tell Aeschia.

"Yes it was wonderful," he said of the apartment.

"Come up to the rooftop garden." Aeschia brought Jacen up to the top so he could look down at the city around the railing areas, and up at the sky.

"Jacen, do you have plans for this evening? I was going to run an errand, but I am putting it off a little bit. Perhaps we could do something, although I am dressed for something rather formal, not Slayer." She chuckled.

Jacen raised a finger as he remembered. "Yes, yes," he said. "The prince, I got a message from the prince." He tried remembering what it was. "A resturant, I was to take you to The Oblivioar Resturant at 10pm."

"The Prince? Really?" Aeschia was surprised. "Jacen, we will have to get you something more formal to wear. It is a rather upscale restaurant. I am quite looking forward to going there for dinner." She smiled at Jacen.

"Actually, I can call the concierge and have a tailor up here very shortly and have a suit tailored for you."

Aeschia hit the intercom and asked Darlene to please call the concierge to bring her personal tailor over as soon as possible for a suit for Jacen.

"Well, you will be looking pretty amazing soon!" Aeschia grinned at Jacen.

"Let us go check out what is on TV for a while." They descended the stairs from the roof and went back into the main television room and turned it on to pass the time.

"My outfit is fine," Jacen replied. "If the prince is meeting us there then being myself is better because that will impress him more than trying to dress up like someone I'm not."

The pink-haired vampire looked down at his trenchcoat, it was smart enough he felt. No need to go overboard with trying to look good, he was a Malkavian after all.

"I wonder if they have the Exetergrecia Circus live on the telly tonight," he wondered. "They usually do."

Sure enough, when the telly went on, DBC1 were live at the Exetergrecia Colossieum. Nothing was happening yet, the spectators were only taking their seats and the two presenters were talking.

"As you wish Jacen." Aeschia paged Darlene and told her to cancel the tailor.

"The cirucs should be interesting..."

"Oh yeah, just wait some idiot will challange Cain and end up smeared along the wall," Jacen grinned. "He's always the finale, garrenteed a gruesome death with him."

"What Circus is this?" Aeschia asked, expecting something like Cirque du Soleil.

"The Exetergrecia Circus," Jacen replied, raising an eyebrow.

"I do not know what that is." Aeschia replied.

Jacen looked rather puzzled. "It's a circus," he said. "You know, been popular since it was brought over by a King who had seen it in action in Rome."

"What are you talking about people being ripped apart at a circus? Not at any circus I have ever been to or seen!" Aeschia was completely confused.

"Yeah, the original kind of circus," Jacen replied. "Not that pansy shite type other nations have."

"Well, I do not know what you mean..." Aeschia stated. It did not sound like anything that would interest her, so she got up and walked into another room and turned on some music.

"You've never heard of gladiators or the Roman Circus?" Jacen then asked.

"Of course Jacen. I just did not know that was still done in this day and age. It is a bit barbaric." Aeschia looked at her watch. "How long before we leave for the restaurant? We can take my car."

Aeschia wanted to get a hold of Tark, and thought she would try after she went to this dinner. She was hoping he might have some more information on this assassin. She kind of missed him as well. Hanging out with a Makavalian was certainly unpredictable and amusing, however, she was hoping to hear from Tark.

"Nothing wrong with a good fight, keeps prison populations down for those who commit serious crimes," Jacen replied with a shrug.

He looked down at his watch, it was an oldfashioned watch with hands instead of digits. His eyes momentarily watched the second hand tick around.

"Well just gone eight, best to leave by nine."

"OK." Aeschia replied to the time.

"So they use prisoners like this? Death row prisoners, I assume? They fight to the death? Easy enough... Just get two from rival gangs... They do it inside the prison already."

"Of course, they're not barbaric enough to use petty criminals," Jacen replied.

"Ah... so it is like 'Super Max Goes Outside'." Aeschia giggled.

Jacen looked confused. "Super Max what?"

"They are prisons for hardcore criminals Jacen." Aeschia explained.

"Maximum," Jacen yelled, looking like he had just answered a question on a gameshow. "I get it now."

"Jacen, it is nine o'clock. Do you think we should leave yet? We will be taking my car, so I do not know how long it will take. Maybe we do not need as much time. Or do we go now?" Aeschia asked.

"Sure," Jacen said. "Ready as you are. It doesn't matter if we are early just as long as it's before ten."

"All right." Aeschia telekinetically opened and closed all doors and ran everything as they went from the top floor suite to the underground garage.

"I hope you like Lamborghinis." Aeschia smiled. She had several cars but she loved this one.

They got into the vehicle and drove to the restaurant where the valet parked her car.

"Well, here we are Jacen." They walked in and all eyes turned to Aeschia. She was just that stunning in the beautiful dress, showing all her curves.

Aeschia ignored this. "Jacen, did the prince place reservations? For three? I do not know how the reservations were made. I assume you do?" She asked the pink haired Malkavian. He got plenty of stares as well. "If you were told to wait, we can wait at the bar. What instructions did he give?" Aeschia asked.

Jacen said nothing, looking for a familiar face. There in the corner was a dark brown haired woman. She motioned for them to come over and Jacen did.

"It is I, Michelle," she introduced herself.

Aeschia kept her disappointment hidden. She thought she would finally meet the prince. However the prince did want her here, so there must be some reason.

"Hello Michelle. My name is Aeschia," she said smiling. Aeschia extended her hand. "Pleased to meet you Michelle." Aeschia was very polite and formal. Her curiosity was driving her crazy, however.

I want to shout: "Someone tell me what this is all about now!"

Michelle nodded, shaking her hand. "Please sit down," she said.

As Michele did so, so did Jacen.

Aeschia sat down. As they sat down the wine sommelier came to the table and presented some special vintages they had that evening.

"I would like the Henriot Brut Melesme' 1995 please." Aeschia told him. "We can all share it." She told the others at the table.

Hopefully they would get down to business.

Michelle leaned forward. "Listen very carefully for I shall say this only once," she began. "At midnight a black limo will stop in front of the resturant, Jacen shall recognise the driver as Fairfax, it will take you to your next location and in the meantime enjoy your meal on the prince."

"Thank you very much. Will Jacen be coming with me in the limo?" Aeschia asked, wondering what the next step would be.

"You are here together are you not? He like you was asked to come here," Michelle stated.

There was a knock on Boaz's door. A shadowy figure stood outside quietly, holding a simple note scribbled on a piece of paper.

Boaz,

Meet me out front of The Oblivioar Restaurant. We need to talk...

Your Friend,
Tark

"I understand." Aeschia replied. "I do not want to be blunt, but I would like to pass a message on to the prince if you are one who sees him." Aeschia stated.

"I want him to know that Jacen, here," she looked at Jacen and smiled, "is a wonderful kindred, and a faithful servant. I have seen it. Not only that, he is wonderful company. I enjoyed spending my time with him. He is 100% devoted to the prince. Not to mention a sweetie." She grinned at Jacen, wondering if she embarrassed him.

"I have to say, Michelle, that I do not exactly know what is going on, but someone was able to get into my condo, which is only telekinetically able to be operated by me, impersonate... who was it Jacen? ... Oh right... Marie was her name. Jacen saw through the imposter in two seconds and dealt with it. Very impressive. Although, I do not know why anyone would come into my condo or how they could get in, to tell me some lies regarding the prince and a dinner party." Aeschia took a sip of her wine.

"Michelle, I am thoroughly confused." Aeschia sighed.

When the waiter reached their table, everyone ordered, Jacen, of course, ordering a mound of food. Aeschia ordered an interesting gourmet salad, and waited to find out what was going on. She would have loved to get in the limo and leave now. Patience was not always Aeschia's best virtue.

"I will tell him that when I have the chance," Michelle then said.

Jacen looked over at Aeschia. "I told you, she was a shape-shifter she most likely came in attatched to one of us somehow," he said.

"Jacen is perfectly right, that bag you believed was yours might have been it or even something inside that bag," Michelle then said. "Have you noticed anything of yours you had there at the time go missing?"

"No, actually I did not. I do not know what it could have been." Aeschia replied. "Are these Sabbat clans?" She asked.

"It is possible, yes," Michelle replied. "It is also possible that it was set by enemies of the prince."

"I meant, are the enemies Sabbat clans." Aeschia explained. "I am sorry. I guess I do not understand a lot of this."

Michelle shook her head. "The Sabbat do not believe in the prince as a leader, they favour anarchy," she explained.

"Well, you have so many spies, you must have some idea; unless there are various groups, in which case heavy security is a good idea. Perhaps more unobtrusive security... not the type that sits down next to you and says "You are new in town so we have to watch you," rudely, I might add, and really need to bathe." Aeschia rolled her eyes.

She was sure Jacen would say something about Rube as he did on the waterfront.

Jacen kept quiet.

"I take that is Rube you are speaking about," Michelle said. "He can read people, telling people that will make a person react no matter how small and Rube can pick up on the smallest hint."

ooc: what will make a person reat?

OOC: React sorry, missed the c didn't see it.

"Well that hardly makes sense. He was asking us to stay and have dinner on the prince, while being obnoxious and rude. Bit of a paradox, I would say." Aeschia replied.

"Ravnos trait," Michelle remarked. "You get used to him after awhile." A smile crossed her face. "He can tell if you are nervous being told that, a little twitch in the eye. He see's through lies."

"He hardly made me nervous. He smelled!" Aeschia replied.

Boaz woke up next to Jade again. He looked at her and said, "We really need to stop doing this." Jade began to chuckle.

She then began to think of her next client. There was a vampire by the name of Jacen who had been put on a hit list for some reason. There was a lot of money up for grabs.

Jade looked at Boaz and said, "I gotta go. Can I call you later?" Boaz replied, "Yeah. You've got my number right." She nodded. They both got out of the bed and put on their clothes. Jade gave Boaz a hug and then gave him a playful bite on the neck. She then said, "I'll see you later." Boaz smiled and said, "Uh-huh."

Jade left the room. Boaz looked out the window until he saw Jade pass by. From a distance he could see her turn around a corner. Boaz sighed and said, "I sure know how to pick them."

He then decided to get in contact with Tark. He telepathically located him and said, Hey Tark. Where are you?

"Most Ravnos are gypsies, what do you expect?" Jacen told her.

"Well, I am not going to pretend to understand anything that is going on here." Aeschia said, and then took a bite of salad.

"Well if you try you'll go insane," Jacen grinned. "Malkavians try to understand everything and look at us."

"You forget I am not a Malkavian, Jacen." Aeschia replied with a grin.

Aeschia was hoping Michelle had more to say.

Michelle just sat there, for the moment she had nothing further to say for the moment.

"Because other clans don't try to learn everything," Jacen pointed out. "We Malkavians are the wisest of the wise, the price we pay is insanity."

Aeschia was laughing hysterically inside at Jacen's remark.

"Oh, so that is the reason." Aeschia smiled. "So Jacen, when is the last time you studied Quantum Mechanics, and how crazy did it make you?

"Of course if I tried to go to the depths of knowledge regarding the subject, I would be crazier than you, Jacen." She laughed. "Let me give you some advice: Do not pick up any books on String Theory!" Aeschia grinned at the pink-haired Malkavian and chuckled.

"Funny you should say that," Jacen grinned.

He reached inside his trenchcoat and brought out a book on Quantum Mechanics, placing it on the table.

"Last time I read it I nailed a bunny to my wall."

Aeschia was shocked when he pulled the book out, and even more shocked at Jacen's comment.

She started laughing so hard tears were coming out of her eyes.

"Jacen, you are a riot! Let me see that." She grabbed the book. Just Six Numbers by 'Martin Rees'.

"Are you crazy?!" Aeschia exclaimed. "Oh right, that has been established." She grinned at Jacen and started laughing again.

"Well, I think you should stay with books like The Cat in the Hat. Perhaps you will not harm any wildlife reading Dr. Seuss."

Oh my God I wish Tark had been here for this conversation! It is the way Jacen says such bizarre things so matter-of-fact, as if they are every day occurrances, that adds to the hilarity of the whole thing... and Jacen not thinking it all that odd, really.

Aeschia excused herself. "I am going to go to the powder room and freshen up. I believe I have tear stains running down my face." As she left the table, she patted Jacen on the shoulder... "You are something else Jacen!" She grinned.

Jacen was confused. "What's so crazy about that?" he wondered.

"Jacen, you are so sweet!" Aeschia smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek as she left for the ladies room.

Jacen rubbed his cheek. Waiting for Aeschia to return, he began picking at the bread.

Aeschia entered the posh ladies room and lounge and began to touch up her make up a bit. There was not much to do. She looked stunning. As she was putting on her lipstick and such, she thought more and more about how much she cared for Jacen. He was so naive' and it was adoreable!

She decided that she would help him out any way she could. He was like a brother... well not really, as he was not annoying. He was not like a son... their "apparent" ages were too close together, but she felt like his caretaker of some sort. And he was just so endearing. Aeschia smiled to herself.

Aeschia made her way back to the table and sat down.

Michelle had ordered them an expensive bottle of red wine. As Aeschia came back, Jacen was quietly munching on elven bread.

"Michelle, if you ordered the wine I suggested, I certainly will pay for it, as it is pricey." Aeschia turned her head to Jacen and grinned, then turned back to Michelle.

"Jacen and I had quite an evening last night. Most interesting! I had a lot of fun." She turned back to Jacen.

"Jacen, I have had experience with Malkavians, but none like you." Aeschia grinned. "I had a great time! Very unpredictable and impulsive... in a good way Jacen. You are a great guy." Aeschia started laughing.

She looked at Michelle, "He even got me to go to a Slayer concert!" She chuckled again. "... not exactly my thing, but it was fun...

"He also explained some of the workings in the city... the hunters, some which were at the show. I cannot remember the name of the family, but they have grey hair. Some were there with the King. I made sure we exited promptly and got out of sight ASAP.

"One interesting thing is that Jacen did not know that 'some' vampires can fly. We flew to my place in a flash." Aeschia continued. "Jacen wanted to try flying by jumping off a skyscraper! I told him to start from the ground and go up." Aeschia chuckled.

"Anyway, I digress. I still do not understand what all goes on around here as far as the prince is concerned, however his policies seem sound to me. Jacen is quite dedicated as well." she said.

"Only elder vampires of the older generations can fly," Michelle said. "And I already sensed that you are one."

Jacen coughed on the bread. "The Cyredathems," he said. "And they have silver hair not grey."

Michelle poured the wine into three glasses. "It is of no trouble with the wine," she assured Aeschia. "The prince is paying for everything."

When she placed the bottle back on the table, she tapped the label. Along with the year, it was twenty years old, there was a picture of a mansion with vines stretched out before it. Below that was the caption, Zanaar Vineyards, Daevon.

"Well, I hope I do not look like an elder!" Aeschia chuckled.

"Sorry Jacen, silver, not grey... and their name is too long for me to remember without hearing it in conversation about 300 times first." She smiled.

Michelle poured wine for everyone, as well as explaining that the prince was paying for dinner.

She showed her the bottle more closely.

"Wow! I did not know he had vinyards as well." Aeschia took a sip. "It is excellent!

"Then I suppose he has lots of businesses. This wine is top-notch." Aeschia commented.

"Well after all vampires do not age like mortals do, we are young forever," Michelle said.

Jacen grinned, he was always going to look like a pink-haired sixteen year old.
"Of course, the prince has many businesses, as the prince he enjoys many more connections then most," Michelle explained.

Wooshaba']He then decided to get in contact with Tark. He telepathically located him and said, Hey Tark. Where are you?

Waiting for you at The Oblivioar Restaurant, Tark replied. The truth was he wasn't quite there yet, but either way he might as well put a sense of urgency into Boaz's mind so as to hurry him up.

"I guess I still have so many unanswered questions. Perhaps I will get some answers this evening." Aeschia smiled, sipping her wine.

"So Jacen, when you fall for a 30 year old and you look like you are sixteen, that will cause legal problems for the other, unfortunately." She commented. "May I ask you Jacen, who turned you at such a young age?"

The bottle of wine went fast. The sommellier returned to retrieve the empty bottle.

"Michelle... might you choose a top notch champagne? Money is no object. I do not want the prince to have to pay for those things I order which are excessive. My guess is it will be from his vinyard. Am I correct?" She asked.


Aeschia had not heard from Tark for a while, so she telekinetically spoke to him:

Tark, hope you are well and we can get together one of these nights soon. Take care of yourself. I may be on the trail of some information.

"Not really, I'm a vampire they'd never find out anyway," Jacen shrugged. "Age is just fucking bollocks anyway, sixteen is legal and I can easily say I'm eighteen."

He nevously tapped his finger against the table, he didn't want to say who turned him. Instead he just stayed silent.

"Money is no object to the prince, he feel hurt by your reluctancy to allow him to pay," Michelle told her.

"Oh, I will let him pay. I just did not want to be a burden. I think it was very nice of him to do this." Aeschia smiled at Michelle.

Hmmm... I am not going to read Jacen's mind. Obviously, whoever turned him... the subject makes him uncomfortable and it is private.

Jacen sniffed the wine but did not drink it.

"You are not a burden," Michelle assured her.

Aeschia had finished her dinner a while ago, as had the others. She was waiting to leave.

"Will we be leaving soon, Michelle? She asked.

The suspense is going to kill me!

Michelle looked out the window and then at the clock. "No, not yet," she said. "Besides you have not had your main course yet."

"That was my main course." Aeschia replied. "However, if there is more, please go ahead. I will just have some wine."

"I did say midnight, it is quarter past eleven," Michelle replied.

Jacen continued to abscently chew on elven bread.

"Not by the time we left. Jacen told me we would have just enough time to get... here..." Aeschia smirked. By Malkavian time.

"No, it is just that the salad was so huge and I tend to have large gourmet salads for my main course." Aeschia explained.

"Do you mind if I step outside for a bit of fresh air... just for a few minutes?" she asked.

Aeschia walked through the restaurant to the door, with a few "My Lady" bows here and there. When she reached the door she stepped out into the cool night air and took a deep breath.

I should have asked where this restaurant was rather than rely on Jacen's timing. She mused.

Then she got to thinking, Jacen seemed upset. She would have to ask him if he is OK. He was not his jovial self.

Aeschia sat down on a bench in front of the restaurant to relax in the fresh air for a bit.