The following letter is delivered to Obsidian:
Acolyte Obsidian,

You presence is hereby requested and required at the Asylum. You will present yourself with all due haste. You may take the time for sustenance beforehand; however, I am not a patient woman, so dawdle at your own peril.

Victoria Stamford, Priscus of Lords
It was a relatively slow night at the Asylum for Victoria. She had sent out a letter to the woman who called herself Obsidian and was waiting for her to arrive as ordered.

What was it with Kindred and their strange name choices anyway? Did they think it mysterious or intimidating? How can you honestly have a serious conversation with someone like that?

Victoria was not in a pleasant mood and it showed. She tried to keep herself busy with her work at the club but she just kept finding herself impatiently waiting for the woman to arrive.

When the letter arrives, Obsidian is looking over the bookkeeping of her church and welcomes the interruption ... until she reads the letter.

'Dawdle'? At my own peril? What kind of anachronistic arrogance is this? This is what is wrong with the Ventrue. They get a taste of power and they wallow in it, rather than put it to good use.

Obsidian dresses in her mid-century style white suit, taking a white cane and broad rimmed hat. She drives herself to the Asylum ( Of all places for politics ) and enters the club.

Victoria made her way over to Obsidian when she saw her walk into the club. She was wearing her normal work attire which in this case involved skintight black PVC pants and top. She smiled as she approached the woman.

"Miss Obsidian, thank you for the quick reply to my summons. I've arranged for a private location for our conversation. If you'll follow me."

She turned and began leading the woman to a backroom, not waiting for an answer but clearly open to a reply from the woman should she wish to give one.

Obsidian remains silent as she is guided to the private room. Her mind, however, is not so calm.

Politically polite. She is probably saving the arrogant rhetoric for the private room. She really buys into the sensations of the flesh. Is that her power center, or her weakness?

Victoria escorted the woman to a small back room with one half of the room that had a sitting area with couches and the other half set up for the play that these types of rooms are typically reserved for.

"Please be seated," Victoria said and indicated with a gesture toward the sitting area, while she made her way to a couch to sit down. "First of all, since I am new to Sacramento I would like to take the time to get to know you a bit. That is in part the purpose of these meeting after all. The second purpose of these are for you to bring up any concerns or questions you may have for me. Lets start with you, tell me a little about yourself."

Obsidian followed and sat where directed. After listening to Victoria, she hesitates, seeming to slouch a little in her posture. Then she speaks.

"For ... many years, I was merely an errand girl among the Invictus. I believe the original intention of my Embrace was merely as a pawn among some very powerful Elders. Over time, I grew to accept my position, despite the drive of my Ventrue blood. I still have a great respect for the Invictus and the role it often plays in the creating stable hierarchies of order among the Kindred."

Obsidian paused, reflecting on the changes in recent years.

"Due to some political maneuvering, I was unable to find shelterwhen Katrina hit New Orleans. I was caught by the flood and buried for days. I was able to free myself and feed upon others caught in the flood, staying hidden under the surface during the days and hunting by night."

She straighten up and resume her usual confident posture.

"During this time, I had an epiphany that changed the direction of my unlife. The Goddess guided me to the Circle of the Crone, and under their tutoring, I began to blossom into something more than a pawn."

Obsidian meets Victoria's eyes directly.

"I have no wish to rule over the Kindred of this city. That is the job of the Prince, and I will do everything I can to keep him in power. Among the Spirit Realm, however, politics are often more subtle and can be just as dangerous. The games, however, bring rewards both metaphysical and tangible."



Victoria sat cross-legged and listened to the woman’s tale with interest. She may not agree with Obsidian’s stance of withdrawing from politics or religious views, but she did have a drive and something motivated her. She could respect that.

“The Invictus is always sorry to see one of their own leave the fold. However, I understand your feelings concerning your early nights; our Kin are not exactly renowned for compassion when it comes to neonates or our childer. We do all have different things that motivate us and it is commendable that you found a place of fulfillment and focus.”

“Furthermore, I can share in your devotion to your covenant with my relationship to my own, as well as in your loyalty to the Prince. But, city politics shouldn’t be disregarded completely because it is still crucial to promoting an atmosphere conducive to your Covenant and perhaps even in helping to attain your personal goals with in it. It is just something to think about.”

She paused a moment meeting the woman’s gaze before she continued, “I’d like to take this chance to explain my clan policy. As cliché as this sounds, I’m not here to be your friend. I’m here to ensure that you keep your nose clean and live up to your potential. I may not be pleasant at times, but I hope that we can develop a relationship of understanding and respect. You’ve got promise and I would like to see you develop it further be it in Covenant or outside of it.”

“Finally, I plan to have regular consultations, perhaps quarterly I have not decided yet, to evaluate and so that we can get to know each other a little. Outside of these consultations unless the need is dire, something that concerns the clan or me directly, or it is to bring a new family member to my attention, I would like for you to speak with Mr. Hartman as the whip he will arrange a meeting with me concerning everyday affairs or requests that need my attention. Did you have any questions of your own or any concerns with a clanmate that require my attention?”

Obsidian smiles, cautious, but sincere.

"I didn't mean to imply that the politics of the Spirit Realm are completely separate from the physical realm. In fact, the parallel games allow me to play by rules to which other of our kind not only lack access, but are completely lacking awareness."

"If I have questions or concerns, I will arrange a meeting through appropriate channels. However, should there be anything you need or information you need to know, please feel free to ask for my assistance. I believe that our political aspirations and core loyalties are not in conflict."

"You are right. Neither of us are here to be friends, but as allies, enemies of the First Estate best beware."

Victoria nods at the other woman's words. "Acolyte Obsidian I think that we will get along just fine together." She may not agree with the focus the woman took for her existence, but at least she had goals and there would come a time when she matured through her Covenant and realized the importance of politics. For a heretic member of the Circle the woman really didn't seem so bad. Pity that the Circle pulled such a promising one away.

"If you don't have anything for me, there is one last order of business that we must attend to." Once the words were spoken, Victoria dropped her friendly demeanor and took on a cold, steely countenance. She focused her intense gaze at the woman. "I hear there are some troubling things that you are saying about the Prince. That you are confused about your position in the city and see nothing wrong with referring to him by name alone and no titles. For someone that has a background with the First Estate and knows the importance of titles this is entirely inexcusable and unacceptable. As such until your next scheduled meeting with me, or I say otherwise, you will treat every kindred and ghoul in the city as if they hold a superior station over you. Even if they are a close personal friend of yours, you will address them formally with a title, or honorific if they have none, and last name. Everything out of your mouth will be yes sir/ma'am, no sir/ma'am, or thank you sir/ma'am. Disappoint me in this and I will get unpleasant."

"One more thing," Victoria leans forward toward Obsidian and glares daggers at her, "If I ever hear you speak that informally about the Prince or any position of leadership in the city appointed by him or a Covenant head, I will personally nail your fucking tongue to the wall before I cut it out of your head. Then forbid you to heal it until you are given permission. I trust the message is clear. Now unless you have anything further for me you are free to go about the remainder of your evening."

Obsidian bowed her head and said, "Yes, Priscus Stamford. I understand."

When did I do this? Such a slip of the tongue was not just dangerous, but disrespectful. Unless this is someone's little plot. Who was I speaking with?

Obsidian rose and went to the door. At the door, she turned, bowed, then exited.