The Lady's Haunting

**Victoria Stamford** · Jun 3rd, 2016 05:39 PM

As Greenberg approached the address, he saw a large walled off estate with the yard lite up by floodlights. He is only stopped briefly at an iron gate with a large CO on it and then quickly waved through after security verifies the person in the car. As he further enters the grounds there is a large towering Victorian Mansion with decorative trim and columns, several balconies, and a wrap around porch.

When he stops there is an attractive young serving woman in a short dress waiting at the front step to escort him further. She seemed to notice Greenberg's presence, but her eyes didn't ever really focus on him as she stared ahead with a blank, expressionless look on her face. When Greenberg approaches she will bow and wordlessly turn to escort him into the house should he choose to follow.

The large solid wood doors open up to a moderate sized entry room with a wooden staircase leading up and several rooms branching off. The haunt is led to a sitting room with a large doorway and an open sliding door off to one side. Victoria sat in a delicate looking padded chair wearing a casual flower print white summer dress. Upon seeing her guest she stood with a welcoming smile and gestured to an antique love seat which sat on the other side of a short coffee table from where she sat.

"Good evening Master Greenberg. Thank you for coming, please join me. I trust that you did not have any difficulties getting here or gaining entry?"

House

Dress

Jun 6th, 2016 09:52 AM

He was impressed to say the least about Victoria's estate. It was extravagant, and luxurious, and intimidating. He had ended their last conversation on a sour note and now he was to tell her what the Prince had decreed. Hopefully that would go well. Following the help as they guiding him further and further in he saw her stand and a smile spread across his face. His suit had grown nicer since she last saw him, though still not as exquisite as he would like. It was a blue suit with a matching vest covering a nice white shirt and a checkered blue and black tie. It was a nice change of pace from his usual black suit.

As he approached and she spoke he offered a very polite bow and said, "Good evening Lady Stamford. Thank you for having me at your beautiful estate. You truly have amazing style and taste. And no, I had no difficulties in my entry, thank you."

At her gesture he moved to the seat and waited for her to sit before he took his seat on the love seat.

**Victoria Stamford** · Jun 6th, 2016 07:46 PM

"Thank you, I rather like the place and that's good to hear, I'd hate to think you had any trouble," Victoria said conversationally as she sat down.

While the two predators took their positions the servant silently exited almost as if she had never existed. With as much attention as his host paid to her that may be closer to the truth that one may realize.

The ventrue crossed her long legs and settled herself with her hands resting on her lap.

"I'm glad we were able to come together and talk. It can be so difficult to really get a feel for someone with superficial conversations at court. You mentioned that you had spent time away from the First Estate. I was curious as to your reason for the decision to prioritize membership now instead of some earlier point."

Jun 7th, 2016 09:17 AM

Victoria was an interesting conversational partner. She brought fear to Joseph in ways he wasn't always accustom too. Clearly she was a political sort, well versed in the ways of Kindred and the First Estate. But on a separate note her beast made him fear for more than just his political standing. She had power over him in more ways than one and it made Joseph uncomfortable in a way only his curse could normally make people feel.

"You're very welcome," he said politely to her words of thanks.

As the conversation flowed he listened to her speak. Listened before speaking himself. "You are so right. Court can certainly be a time for guarded conversations; never sure who may overhear. And yes, I did spend some time away from the First Estate when I was in Detroit, but before I go into that I would be remiss to not update you about what happened at the most recent meeting of the Unconquered. It was brought up that I am not a fully reinstated member yet, but in fact a provisional member, granted such status by His Grace Alder Clarke, Duke of Sacramento, Prince of the Domain himself. His Majesty told me to seek you out Lady Stamford to be my Sponsor for membership in exchange for a Major Boon. After a period of no less than six months you will decide if I am to be Released," His head lowered respectfully as he gave her the information.

Before going into his explanation about his past though, he waited to see what she would have to say about the Prince's decree.

**Victoria Stamford** · Jun 7th, 2016 04:28 PM

Victoria sat with a pleasant air about her as she listened to what Joseph needed to share. Her face still had that smile, but her eyes focused somewhere through the haunt as she quickly ran his words through her mind. After several seconds she focused back to her guest and finally spoke still smiling.

"I see. I'll be sure to keep that in mind. I'll have to discuss some things with you to understand how much you know and what I have to work with then. You will also need to understand the perilous nature of your position as well. Without full membership for protection it is vital that you take your lessons to heart and put them into practice if you want to continue to count yourself among the Unconquered. I don't need someone who will only reflect poorly on me if they graduate, so keep that in mind. Furthermore, you're only good to me as long as you can make something of yourself, therefore, you succeeding only benefits us both."

The woman sat still as a statue as she looked at Joseph. She was being far more blunt that she would like, but given the mistakes the man made she was not leaving anything unsaid or to chance for a misunderstanding. However, there was something refreshingly satisfying about being blunt that appealed greatly to her.

"Did anything else of note happen at the meeting?" She asked with interest.

Jun 8th, 2016 08:46 AM

With a solemn look Joseph nodded his head in agreement. "Of course Lady Stamford. I completely agree with you. This arraignment can benefit both of us and I want to reflect very highly on your teachings. I know I faltered at court and in my prior introductions, but I will take your teachings to heart. I have every intention of proving myself worthy of the Unconquered, and I can only do that with your guidance," he finished, offering a respectful bow again. He appreciated her bluntness. There were too many games in their world and if she truly wanted to gain benefit from Joseph, it was best to make her expectations known now.

As she shifted the conversation Joseph sat back on the couch, crossing his legs as he put a hand to his chin. "Now that you mention it, there were several additional matters. First, I am not the only provisional member. There is also a Master Timothy Reese. He was placed under the tutelage of Madam Priscus Ciara Maskelyne, now Lady Priscus Maskelyne. Miss Reeve Sterling was also promoted by his Majesty to the position of Madam." He rubbed his chin, looking up into the air as he thought more on what had transpired at the meeting. "Her Grace, Alder Twist also announced that a, um," he said, snapping his finger a few times as he tried to recall, "a Von Strucker...or Von Schusten, I can't recall the name exactly, but he was apparently a great threat to the domain and he had been located and placed into torpor. His Majesty then identifed a Rahyna and two Erica Bradys as still threats at large. He told us about a toxin that had been released in the past killing many elders as well as a failed attempt to retrieve the data. He then gave both Lady Priscus Maskelyne and Madam Reeve Sterling gifts and Madam Reeve Sterling started discussing a 'Puppet Play'. That's all I can recall of the meeting." Information was important. If she were to be his teacher he wanted to show that at the least he could be a source of information.

**Victoria Stamford** · Jun 8th, 2016 01:38 PM

Victoria found herself nodding in acknowledgement at the promotions. Things were progressing steadily for many and that was good, but the news of another lady was concerning. However, it wasn't entirely unexpected because it was going to happen eventually.

I'll need to keep a close eye on my Priscus it seems, she thought to herself. Then as Greenberg continued she froze in surprise at the announcement from Twist.

"Wilhelm..." she said before catching herself. With a slight shake of her head she continued. "Von Schusten, I suppose he turned out to be more of a disappointment than I originally thought. Furthermore, the announcement of the lost nights development is troubling as that is some data we cannot afford to be out in the open, nor can we allow that research to continue."

The brunette again considered what all that information meant. Greenberg was giving her a lot to think about it seems information that needed acting on.

"Thank you," she said with a smile. "That was a rather thorough summation. Since we are still on the topic of the First Estate, I wonder, what does the First Estate mean to you Master Greenberg?"

Jun 8th, 2016 02:26 PM

He had only just met Victoria, but until this very moment, even when she was talking down to him as if he were nothing, he had not seen her show even a sign of weakness. And yet, Von Schusten made her catch herself. Made her facade stumble even if for a brief moment. The only thing that brought to Joseph's mind was the idea that he should fear this Von Schusten person. "I certainly hope that the research can be found and locked away."

He did not linger on the issue though, instead focusing back on the discussion at hand. "You're very welcome." Leaning back in his chair, his leg still up on his knee he thought about the question. "I'd say the First Estate means many things to me. My Sire and his sire before him were Unconquered, so in a way I feel as if joining again is a way of coming home. Sacramento is my attempt to start fresh away from Detroit, so coming home was the right thing to do. I also want to succeed and grow in Sacramento and I see the First Estate as the best way to do that. While I have lapsed I do understand and value tradition and respect and want to learn to do better in the future. To be better. The Unconquered are an elite group that only the best are given membership to. It's a symbol of who I am and what I want out of my unlife. I strongly desire to prove myself worthy of membership."

**Victoria Stamford** · Jun 9th, 2016 03:20 AM

Victoria nodded as she listened attentively to the haunt's story. It was a response not unexpected for many within the covenant and without saw things that way.

"Indeed, the path we walk can resonate with some of us stronger than with others and certainly having a tradition in one's linage can contribute greatly to this. One can also see how many people see our successes and want to back a winning horse, and much of what people see are a long line of traditions, but it isn't the full story. One doesn't have to be among the First Estate to have success." The Ventrue said conversationally.

"Don't get me wrong, I'm not disparaging your answer, nor am I stating that we accept anything less than true excellence, but merely making a point. At the heart of things, the Invictus is an ideology, not a bunch of crusty old stuffed shirts with antiquated ideals. It is about order and civility. It is the answer to the kindred problem of the beast and to help stave off the slip to utter depravity. A hundred years from now, when you've forgotten what it felt like to be human and question the need for morality, when the beast tries to restrict you to hunt, feed, kill, sleep, you will still be able to function in society. Because of propriety and codes of conduct you will know how to interact with others and know the boundaries of normalcy. It helps the monster remember to hide and maintain the masquerade and protect us all. In short, it is an armor of civility to guard against the seductive lure of the beast. Rather practical in the end."

Victoria sat composed, waiting to see the man's response.

Jun 9th, 2016 03:11 PM

As Joseph sat back he listened intently to Victoria's response, nodding along. "I see. Very interesting," he said, putting his hand up to his chin. "It's almost like a form of Kindred muscle memory. You train yourself and the beast for so long that instinctually it expects to act a certain way. That makes a great deal of sense. But I wonder Lady Stamford, what about those who are not of the First Estate? It almost sounds as if none of them can be trusted when it comes to their nature? Carthians for example seem to have no respect for propriety and codes of conduct, and thus they would not be prepared to act within the bounds of normalcy without thinking. Should we forsake them as lost causes, or seek to teach them even if unknowingly? I just wonder where they would be in a hundred years without the First Estate?" It had slowly drifted into a more intellectual conversation about the principles of the First Estate and he was curious to see Victoria's thinking.

The Lady's Haunting

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