(Ventrue Whip) Elysian Field

[Hildegarde Bingen]

It was a week night near the turn of the year. Above, the kine drank and danced with an energised hum, as if they were already anticipating the festivities to come. Outside, the downtown city was a churning mass of late night shoppers as the herd succumbed to the clarion call of crass commercialism; greed and need; joy and excitement.

The Elysian Field was devoid of life. The presence of Martha was almost gone - no more scent of lemonade or lavender. The mint that remained was a faded afterglow almost completely faded. And Hildegarde did not feel the presence of another of her kind. She was totally alone and her Beast had roused itself, crawled up from her spine and had extended itself, gingerly, onto the top of her head. Long fingers pseudopodia caressed and massaged her scalp. It was a new experience and may have been why the Lord was smiling to herself.

Tonight the Whip of the Lords was sitting on a sofa quite naturally. No poses. She was too busy mastering wrestling with her new toy. Iago had "upgraded" her to a new smartphone. This one granted her access to the "internet" and had a whole host of other features. Which was a pity as he had failed to fully explain their purpose before handing the device over. Maybe... just maybe... her enigmatic attendant had a sense of humour.

If anyone else slipped into Elysium tonight they'd catch sight of a Lord prodding an expensive electronic device with all the grace of a bull in a china shop.

She hadn't screamed yet or thrown a tantrum. But who knew what could trigger a rage in the doll faced Whip of the Lords?

[Edwin Bridges]

Crass commercialism? Check out these bad boys. Sneakers were not supposed to be this awesome but ever since getting himself an early Winter Solstice treat, Edwin had never looked so cool. Who cares the morals of where and by whom they had been made, when they caressed the Lord's feet like a dream, it really didn't matter.

Walking with obvious glee, Edwin left his coat in the correct manner and as he continued into Elysium, his eyes took note of the tragic beauty that was currently lounging on one of the couches, seemingly focusing on something in her hand. His Beast instantly roiled inside, screaming to tear her asunder and prove it's dominance. Finding solace in the fact they were in Elysium and this person was the Whip of his family stayed his hand.

"Whip Bingen," his husky voice declared as he walked over, black pants and purple Sac Kings jersey on display, along with his myriad of ink running down both arms. A smile of contentment reigned on his face, his eyes dropping to the phone. "How are you doing this evening?"

[Hildegarde Bingen]

At first there was no response from the Whip of Lords. Then her eyes flicked up to focus on Edwin. Slowly thereafter the Lord moved, her body rising and shifting poise with a slow deliberation.

"Why... Mister Bridges! How pleasant to see you. I am as you see. Well enough and with the time to invest in... baubles..." The last came as an exasperated hiss. It was difficult to tell if it was from the device or from her Beast, protesting and stating its claim to territory. "You seem quite content yourself. How are the nights treating you?"

With a certain relief, Hildegarde slipped the phone away and crossed her legs.

[Edwin Bridges]

His eyes watched as his Whip came alive and the phone disappeared. The crossing of the legs was noted also.

"The nights have been so-so. I must confess that I was concerned about the lack of Priscus and Whip within our family, glad to see the matter settled. It just would not become of us to be without guidance especially in plain view of other clans."

It was true, he had brought his concern to none other than Velma herself. The conversation had gone down a different route by the end and Edwin couldn't help but grin at the thought of just how much he had been played by the former Harpy.

"May I sit with you, Whip Bingen?" he asked, looking at the place adjacent to the beautiful Lady.

[Hildegarde Bingen]

Hildegarde's hand brushed the seat next to her in artful gesture.

"Please. Sit. Speak." A shy smile broke out on her face.

[Edwin Bridges]

At the gesture, Edwin settled himself down, bringing one sneakered foot up and placing it on his knee, resting it there so as to lounge. "Now, these are comfortable couches. I'll have to see about getting one for my place."

And the shy smile was something that Edwin also wondered about. He could remember her from their more recent family gathering, quickly coming to the assumption she was slightly off-kilter. The only was to understand madness was to stare at it, or so his Sire had once said.

"May I be as bold as to ask how long you have been resident here, Whip Bingen? I must say, you intrigue me."

[Hildegarde Bingen]

"A year and a half, more or less." Hildegarde blurted before she stilled her tongue. Resting her chin on her hand, she regarded Edwin for a moment more. "I intrigue you? How fascinating. I doubt I'm that exciting a study, really." She didn't move a muscle of course. Her voice purred with delight. "What fascinates you so much to make me a focus of your study?"

[Edwin Bridges]

"You're a mystery, an enigma," Edwin admitted, offering a wry grin. "For example, you seem to only speak when there is an important matter at hand, which tells me you don't bother with wasted words and the way you defended your corner at the Clan meeting was epic. However, and I hope you take this as a complement, the way you purr seems at odds at the woman who is happy to sit in the corner."

[Hildegarde Bingen]

Hildegarde has to pause and make a double take. What starts as a giggle ends as a laugh - a natural one.

"Ha! No one has said that of me in... some time now," she continued with a private gleam in her eye. "Not since I came to America." She bobbed her head from side to side before sliding back into one of her more rigid poses. "Before one acts, one must first... ah... learn. And I have noticed that many overlook the wall flowers. That is something that can be turned to an advantage... until one has made an understanding of the... ah... game."

[Edwin Bridges]

Edwin watched, curiously, as Hildegarde's pose changed mid-conversation, wondering if she truly was cray-cray, or if it was all an act.

All part of the game.

"The game is still something I am learning," he said openly. It was plain to see from everyone anyway, why try and hide it? Edwin knew what he was and what he wasn't. "I tend to break the board," he boasted.