Vampires and Parks

[Josephine Sterling]

"I've never understood the appeal of automobiles," Josephine countered with a small frown. "They seem to encourage what I call 'transportation privilege'. Most everyone with an automobile acts as though it were a god given right that they should be able to travel faster than any other animal upon the earth and god help anything that gets in the way, such as traffic or the occasional pedestrian. It's as though the wonder of being transported by such a complicated contraption isn't worthy of note, and there is no purpose to the mighty engine other than fulfilling their transportational whims.

"Such can be observed, I find, in the speed one takes when exiting their vehicle. If it's anywhere near ten seconds, they clearly do not appreciate the true enormity of the vehicle which they possess. I suspect if they were ever to have a limb crushed by such a vehicle they would learn to appreciate it more. Sadly, this is a theory I have not had the opportunity to test," she remarked casually.

[Konrad Roth]

Bite it, bite it! demands the predator lurking within the Savage as Vivian makes her patronizing pats on the Gangrel's head.

Konrad just smiles, tame as a puppy as far as anyone can know. But Josephine doesn't seem interested in confessions at the moment, dismissing its mention, perhaps as one of Konrad's many lighthearted statements.

The Lord dates herself by raising her concerns over the fascination of automobiles. Strange, how Konrad had been thinking how similar their beliefs had been, the focus on Kine, on finding purpose. And yet progress and change still elude some Kindred seated in tradition. But she makes a point.

"Yeah well, when life's short either you try to cut out the time between point A and point B, or you enjoy the ride. Either feed impulse or efficiency. But I'm sure everyone would be more careful if they thought they might get in an accident on the road. Might put the fear of God in them," comments Konrad with a knowing look to Josephine.

Konrad turns to Vivian again. "But if it's an impulse buy you're after, I'm sure I can hook you up, Vivian. You got your license, all your credentials?" His smile takes on a mischievous curl, pressing her for exactly how legit this transaction would be. After all, she wouldn't be asking if she had the paperwork to handle it herself. An unregistered vehicle brought with it its own issues on the road. But maybe she'd prefer to have a car that couldn't be tied to her identity in order to pursue this sudden urge for street racing.

"Not that it'd be a problem if you didn't," he adds in a lowered voice kept between them.

[Alessandra]

An eyebrow raised, “Street racing? I have to say Vivian, you keep surprising me with your interests.” But she had to wonder, what interests didn’t she share? Everyone had something to hide.

And then Josephine went on about her dislike of cars. Which was weird, didn’t everyone want a quick way to get around? Well, one that wouldn’t break the Masquerade that is.

“A friend and I spent many years hiking and backpacking through Italy and Europe. People don’t realize how amazing the world is when you walk everywhere. And while most cities now provide buses and whatnot, it is still nice to have my Jeep. Especially if I need to get off road or something.” Shrug.

Konrad had an interesting view on the whole car thing.

[Josephine Sterling]

Josephine couldn't help but laugh softly when Vivian professed her enjoyment of magnitude. It was wonderful to be friends with one who had such an intimate grasp of what they liked. Too many Kindred and Kine alike were strangers to themselves. She hated to meet those people, for they reminded her far too much of herself...Alas, she seemed to be in good company tonight. None of them had even blinked at her dreams of mutilation, and such was comforting to see.

"I doubt anything I fancy would surprise you," she replied, now that laughter had finally died. "However, in relation to one of your earlier topics of conversation, I do fancy the smell of cordite. Or, I suppose it's gunpowder now, isn't it? Well, regardless, I am very fond of the engines which use them. They hold a special resonance with the infernal, you see."

[Konrad Roth]

So Vivian's interest in cars had only been a conversation piece. Konrad shrugs at her wink, discarding any plans he might have been formulating at a deal. Again the woman remains a mystery to Konrad. Her needs and wants seem superficial and erratic. Firearms, street races, the opera, tattoos, and the bodies that wear them. She also bore no affiliation that he is aware of. Since she was a stickler for playing by the rules he shouldn't have been surprised that she already held the credentials she needed. It is almost like everything is a game to her, an attempt to entertain herself until she finds herself bored and moving onto some new toy.

He couldn't fault her for it. The years could do that to a Kindred.

"I'm a fan of collecting things," answers Konrad honestly. "I used to have all these old coins and themed playing card decks. Trading cards, comic books. Left them behind when I left L.A. They were just sort of extra baggage at the time. Sort of silly, I know. But every now and then I get an inkling to start one. If I every started making some real cash, maybe I'd start collecting cars too."

[Alessandra]

It was always interesting to put Kindred of different Families together and see where the conversation went.

The mention of gunpowder brought a knowing smile to her face, “Gunpowder does have an intoxicating smell.” She found it comforting in some senses. It also stirred memories, new and old, of the path her life had taken.

Hearing Konrad talk about collecting cards and comic books actually did surprise her.

“One thing about me, hmmm,” she says leaning back on the bench, deciding what to share. “Ok, well, I actually enjoy classical music. I find it relaxing and soothing.” There was a shrug, she wasn’t embarrassed by it.

[Josephine Sterling]

"For Leash: seventy nine ninety eight forty six thirteen," Josephine pronounced, reading from a wall which loomed within her mind's eye. She blinked, realizing the others had no conception of what she spoke of.

"That was a tag I'd see often in London after the turn of the millennium. It marked territory for one of my family. I always thought it was a silly pun, but I must admit, I've grown increasingly fond of it over the years. I've considered hiring someone to spray paint a few similar tags around my neighborhood, but I doubt that Clarke would approve," she mused.

[Konrad Roth]

"Maybe, maybe," says Konrad at Vivian's suggestion, tapping his palm against the bench frame. He glances curiously at Josephine, his Savage mind failing to decipher the code until she explains it for them.

"He's shared things in the past. Maybe he will again. Then you might tag whatever you want. But then that's probably no easy task," remarks Konrad indifferently.

The Gangrel grunts and groans as he gets to his feet in a mock struggle and then takes a few steps while stretching out his arms over his head. "Wellll, as much as I'd love to smell the roses a little longer, I aught to be getting on. Things to do, people to shake down." And what lovely roses too. "Vivian, Ale, hope to see you soon for the gun show. Josephine, I was serious about that confession earlier. Think we might be able to meet up sometime?"