The Lady's Haunting

[Victoria Stamford]

"Yes, and no," Victoria began slowly and thoughtfully as she leaned back in her seat and sifted slightly. "I honestly don't believe the beast can be domesticated fully. It is more like an eternal wrestling match, you know how Jacob wrestled with the angel? Only this match doesn't end and we aren't wrestling anything benevolent. If you show weakness or slip in your control it can have grave consequences. The Dragon's may have some tricks to enhance themselves or better the conditions of our existence, but I've never even heard of any who transcended it entirely."

Then Ventrue took her hands out of her lap and set them on the arm rests of her chair, drumming her fingers gently and rhythmically against the upholstery.

"Regardless, concerning the Carthians their main problem is they refuse to admit that they are no longer kine. They think like kine, they act like kine, they even try to govern themselves like kine, and what works for cattle doesn't work for the wolf. Furthermore, I don't buy into the...they don't respect any type of propriety...all peoples and groups have their own behavioral norms, it is just that many of their norms are kine ones. Also when your member base is insert every flavor of malcontent here, it doesn't really help form a cohesive whole. I think that many of the young ones are like children, when they are out there long enough the reality of their existence will hit them. Unfortunately for many this comes after they have already breached the masquerade by sharing too much with their 'friends' or killing those close to them in a momentary slip of control. They should be watched closely and taught when possible. Honestly the ones I can see myself at times worrying the most about are either the Crone, or Lance."

[Victoria Stamford]

"Well in a way I think you're right. It isn't so much as training the beast so much as training the higher reasoning centers of our brains so we fall back into patterns of civility by habit. Kindred are very much creatures of habit after all, so it is best to capitalize on that strength." Victoria said thoughtfully before ceasing the drumming of her fingers.

"Well the movement is something familiar they can relate to in their modern life pre-embrace, like the Lance is for many too. But think about it, religious zeal always has the potential to be utterly disastrous and the enemy of reason. The Circle can fall into the trap of simply not caring about the masquerade and focusing on their bloody rituals. Combine that with a rapid slip in reason and humanity that many encounter leads to trouble when they stop caring about hiding the supernatural and endanger us all. The Lance are quite similar in many respects, much to their dismay I'm sure. Their founding philosophy is to glorify their monstrous nature. They are monsters for God from some mythical founding proto-vampire centurion. You can reason away many moral restrains or commit many horrible things all in the cause for some greater good and mission from God. The true believers are terrifying in either covenant. Science and secular humanism might very well be arguable as religions in their own right too. Look to the Nineteenth and Twentieth Century to see the horrible and unethical research done in the name of furthering science. I'd argue that only the Invictus has the perspective and secular distance as outsiders to truly reign in the other schools of thought from extremist behavior and endangering us all."

[Victoria Stamford]

"Unfortunately, based on dogma of the other affiliations, it requires an assessment of people or groups on a case by case basis. From my experience the kindred that last around Sacramento gravitate to a more enlightened view of kindred existence, mainly with regard to the traditions, it is the careless and stupid ones that do not last. People who can not take the time to ensure they comply with the laws of the domain or show too much disrespect to those above their station. The prince does not tolerate gross insubordination. So you are more likely to encounter this last group than rogue covenants in Sacramento."

The ventrue once again moved her hands to her lap and laced her fingers together after shifting her posture. She looked intently to Greenberg with a pregnant pause.

"Which brings us to titles and modes of address, and they are not particularly difficult. Among the Unconquered getting a title wrong can have unfortunate consequences that are not present for others outside of our group. There can be some leeway for an initiate, but when they have been trained, and even when they mess up and have been corrected, but continue to...fuck up...it can move to the grounds of calculated insult, especially when one develops a track record." Victoria thought she didn't need to elaborate on that and then sighed after a brief moment realizing that she likely did need to elaborate. She continued with a slightly weary tone. "When you reach that point owing debts is an unlikely at best and impossible at worst. There are demands for monomacy when a person is suitably insulted if they feel like being official and polite about ending a person. Or a person may just leave the city some night quite unexpectedly. There are countless ways they can, in modern jargon, troll someone, if you will."

[Victoria Stamford]

The Ventrue sat listening to the worm sitting before her, keeping her face polite and attentive. She was pleased that he was taking an interest in bettering himself and hoped that it would continue and that the lessons would take hold.

"Excellent point, and one that I wanted to address," Victoria said nodding pleasantly. "Master is one of those titles that has fallen into disuse by the general public. So like you said, care must be taken to avoid it around kine. If you need to use a form of address mister or miss would be an acceptable choice; any reasonable member of the Invictus will understand the necessity. I would also avoid using your first name with introductions among kindred, some may take it as permission to be familiar. Notice how I introduce myself as Lady Stamford? It isn't required just helps avoid trouble. Furthermore, you don't hear me introducing myself as Doctor Stamford to...well anyone really...unless in a scholarly setting. We don't introduce ourselves as doctors, lawyers, accountants, etc...that is what kindred have servants and ghouls for. A notable exception might be if it is relevant to the conversation or among kine."

Victoria sat up and shifted forward a bit on her seat. She tugged at the hem of her dress to ensure it stayed in place and leaned forward slightly.

"Much of title usage is situational. You will encounter distinguished people with many titles. The choice of title will much about the topic at hand or setting. If you are speaking with the prince and addressing Invictus matters or among a group of Invictus only, then Your Grace is good or Alder Judex if speaking to him as the chief officer. If you wanted to address your priscus concerning his role as regent then one might use that title or if you want to address him as the head of the family or impart a sense of kinship then priscus might be appropriate. There are a few people with titles of function in the domain the reeve, judex, priscus, and prince are an example of some. You can think of them as specialties or acknowledged experts in a field, so having such a title gives additional status to a person. As I mentioned before, it takes some discernment to know which title to use in which situation. It may be best to address the prince as Alder Prince while at court as one's sovereign for example. Keep in mind that many titles may be used at different points of a conversation with the same person in the same sitting depending on topic of conversation and whom is present. Furthermore, when in public or at an entirely kine event like on the main floor of a club, mortal party, charity event, etc, you would address him as Mister Clarke as one might address a respected business man or CEO."

[Victoria Stamford]

"Certainly, Master Greenberg among kindred, and Mister Greenberg among kine. Not everyone is as formal with titles, and it is up to you if you wish to allow familiarity among those outside the Invictus, but anyone within our ranks it carries an intimate connotation especially using a first name. However, it can lead to misunderstandings if allowed," Victoria said sitting back up strait.

"As for my name Doctor Stamford, or Miss Stamford would be fine. If you find me at the Asylum some may even refer to me as my stage name, Lady Crimson, but generally only when I'm occupied. Did you have any further questions? You can always ask someone how they would like addressed if you're unsure. If you don't given what we discussed, what do you feel should be done about your mistake?"

The Ventrue sat back and ignored the crawling of her skin as she studied the man intently, gauging his response.