(1611) William and Ale

[Alessandra]

Now that got her interest, the Prince ran the gangs. Was this part of the fabled American Mafia she’d heard stories about?

“Oh, gangs? Is that like the American Mafia type thing, or something else?” she’d heard of gangs before in her travels. “Speaking from my own experience, the black market is a very lucrative business if done right.” She was still working her connections in the city, and it was slow going. But she was gaining some traction with Konrad gone.

“I have to say, I had never meet any Kindred who were in that line of work before moving here. I’m curious, were you a doctor before being Embraced? Sorry if that’s too personal, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” She wasn’t his Priscus nor the Prince, so her questions weren’t necessary. “Though I’m curious, do you find it hard to perform your duties in the ER?” cause blood.

“I’m really surprised you haven’t found more Kindred interested in it. I’ve watched games a few times, but I’m no expert on the sport.” She says with a laugh. “Sport betting used to be part of my families business. Not a huge part, but a small part that made some extra money. So I know a little bit.” She understood some of the rules and calls, but that was about it. “Ever thought of hitting some of the various bars around town? I’m sure there has to be a few that get busy with Kine going in for a drink and the game.” Cause weren’t sports bars a thing?

She gently shakes her head, “Not rude at all, I was asking after all.” She says playfully. “Me? Well I can usually be found at a shooting gallery or out in the woods keeping my skills up, hitting local bars playing pool, and sometimes the gym. But my focus has been mainly on business and expanding my influence. Though I’m trying not to be all work and no fun.” She adds with a laugh.

[Alessandra]

Ah, well that was disappointing. “Ah, well, isn’t that the joy of youth?” she had hoped it would have been something up her alley, but oh well.

The grin was returned, “That wouldn’t defiantly create quite the breach. But no worries, I try and stay away from hospitals.” She adds with a wink. “That’s nice though, must be a rewarding way to pass the nights. Did you grow up wanting to pursue a career in medicine?” There was a hint of praise in her tone. She had lots of respect for Kine and Kindred who were able to do that kind of work.

“Well, politics are an unfortunate bane to our existence. But I find if one focuses too much on them, then the nights and years just get too boring. Probably why I’ve stayed out of them as long as I have. I don’t hate politics, hell I grew up having to know the ins and outs of it, I just get tired of em.” There was a shrug. “But you’ll have to give me a call the next time there’s a game on and I’ll come out. I have the basics and can appreciate the sport, and it’d be an excuse to get out.” Why not? She needed allies, and the best way was to make nice. “And yeah, I hear you there!” she makes a disgusted face, “That’s why I prefer my Herd before I go out.” She had a strict no drug use with them.

“Oh, I love my guns and I’m rarely without them. And while they don’t really help against our kind, they do slow them down a bit. If you ever want to give it a try, let me know and we’ll go shooting. I’ve done it a few times with my Family and don’t mind passing along my knowledge to others. Plus, I like showing off.” There was a grin and chuckle.

“They aren’t a bad weapon to carry, it gets the job done, though it can draw unwanted attention.” So it was something she was learning to be more careful with. But with her new identity and carry permit, it felt a little safer.

“My business?” there was a little evil glint to her eyes, “I’m in the more, lets say, unsavory, type of business, I deal in the criminal aspect of our world. I’ve been slowly building up my name and connections since arriving here. Unfortunately, my name doesn’t carry the weight it did back home, so it’s been a process.” She jokes. Or was she joking?

[Alessandra]

“Oh, are they in the medical profession? Sorry for all the questions, I love learning about others.” Which was true, sometimes you never knew what information could prove useful later.

“But it seems like it takes a lot of dedication, in my opinion it speaks volumes about someone able to dedicate themselves that way.” But that was her opinion.

Smiling, “You just have to promise not to laugh if I ask stupid questions.” She jokes before nodding, “It is. I came here Unbound and remained for my first year or so, and never had any issues. Plus, no one pushed joining a Covenant one way or another, which was great. I always hated those who pushed their beliefs on you, beyond annoying.” There was a small eye roll added.

There was a sly smile, “Oh, that’s a good way to put it. I don’t pull nearly as many strings as I did back home, but I’m getting there. Kids today don’t understand the old ways of doing things, or understand how important Family and your word is. So finding those type of people has proven to be a challenge. It isn’t a Family business like it was when I first got into it. Plus, with how much times have changed, the cops and government pay a little more attention than they should.”

[Alessandra]

There was a pang of jealousy hearing of his parents professions. She by no means had a normal upbringing, her father grooming her at a young age to take over the business. “My father was the professional in the family,” was professional the right word? She wasn’t sure, but it worked, “while my mother focused on charities and the such.” Which was why she could do dressy and polite when the situation required it.

Tilting her head slightly, “Selfish?” she says before shaking her head, “Nah. If you still take pride in what you do and feel the urge to do some good, then it can hardly be called selfish. For some there has to be some good to the Danse, something that fills the long nights with worth."

Laughing, “Sorry, but I was already recruited, a couple months ago, into the Invictus.” She didn’t care who knew she joined the ranks. “The previous Gangrel Priscus had mentioned the Movement to me once or twice. But it just seemed too unorganized for my taste, though my opinion could be wrong. I was going based off previous experience with it and what I was seeing. So don’t take my words wrong, they are merely observations. But you don’t strike me as unorganized, so perhaps you’ll be the one to make it a success here.” She wasn’t trying to be rude or a jerk, but the Movement never lasted long around here or had huge numbers.

There was a thoughtful look on her face, “I grew up with the old ways. Where honor, your word and Family meant everything. While I was my father’s daughter and who he chose to take over the business, step into the role of capofamiglia, or Boss, I still had to prove my loyalty and honor to those I would be leading.” There was a shake of her head, “These days not many are loyal, or their loyalty can be bought and their word isn’t worth anything.” She sighs, “And that’s not a reputation I want, nor behavior I want in those under me. So it’s taken a while to find those who still stand by their word and are loyal. New isn’t necessarily bad, but not many today hold the same values that make my business successful. It’s been a delicate balancing act to say the least.” She wasn’t sure she answered his question, but it wasn’t an easy one to answer if one didn’t have a past in the Mafia.

[Alessandra]

“Speaking of the name doctor before your name, have you met Lady Seneschal Stamford? She’s a doctor as well. Though I don’t believe she still practices, but don’t quote me on that!” she says with a laugh.

There was a smirk as she chuckles, “What can I say, old and stuffy just don’t fit me well.” She jokes. “And so far there hasn’t been a dress code that I’m aware of, so thing that is good.” She knew she didn’t fit what people assumed the Invictus was. Hell, she was surprised when she accepted the offer from Victoria. “Easy going isn’t necessarily a bad thing. I’ve been in a couple Domains where Carthian’s weren't allowed.” She didn’t want to really encourage the guy, cause, Carthian. “Maybe once there is a few more you guys will figure something out.” But it never hurt to sound like you cared. “Nothing easy is ever fun or worth fighting for anyways.” But she would have no idea what a Carthian would want, well, besides the obvious.

“After theythey have it and realize how much work and patience it takes.” There was a gentle shake of her head, “Not something for me. I kinda lack the whole patience thing. And I could do without the added giant bullseye on my forehead too.” Not to mention worrying if Kindred were forming a Coup behind your back all the time, nope, all set. “All comes down to power, everyone wants it. But the allies you would need to form and then sacrifice don’t seem worth it to me. I’ve always been happy with my little band of criminals, owning the black market and pulling the strings of the criminal underworld.” Her loyalty ran deep. Though that wasn’t to say she couldn’t step up and take key player out of the game should they prove not useful or betray.

“But it is a fun game though.” She adds. The Danse could be fun if played right, and she wondered how he played?

There was a small nod and shrug, “Some progress, and I certainly won’t complain about it. But it comes down to that whole patience thing and my lack of.” She adds with laugh.

“Oh, a gracious offer, grazie!” though not a lot survived that long if it came down to it. “We haven’t found ourselves in any wars or the such yet. But I’ll keep it in mind.” And Kine were disposable pawns anyways.