The Savage Duchess and the Zealous Haunt

[Alessandra]

A single nod, “Then I suppose that would explain them drifting in and out of the Domain.” There was then a smirk, “Well, that is a saying I can certainly get behind.” She says with a soft chuckle.

“I’ve been through Domains that were not welcoming both in Italy and over here. It never sat well with me personally. I see differences in beliefs as being educational opportunity’s to learn.
Sometimes a different point of view can be the light you need.” It was simple to her.

“Our last meeting with her, name was Dirge, in case you ever hear it in passing. But she felt the Farm was hers and hers alone. She viewed the Domain and those who resided within it as somehow failing her. The Brood, as she said, welcomed her and helped her in some time of need. It’s not an excuse, and I would still like to see her brought to justice. But those were her reasons.” The story of Alice was for another time. Though she supposed he would hear some type of story about what happened. And hoped he would give others a chance to explain what really happened.

Nodding, “I look forward to seeing what you are able to do with it. And perhaps when things are in order, you’ll invite the Domain to a night there. I may not have completely understood the Solstice in full, but it was still remarkable to observe.” She enjoyed watching and learning. “I’m not sure how much more she will be able to tell you, but she is the longest standing member of the Domain.” Twist may or may not want to talk about another Covenant, but never hurt to ask.

His next words had her wondering about Alice. Had her Ghoul taking her torpored body for something similar? Not that is was an excuse, but she was curious.

“Pomegranate seeds? This is probably a stupid question, but why the seeds? I know the Greek myths about the fruit, but that’s the extent of my knowledge. Of course, you don’t have to answer if you don’t want to, I just enjoy learning. But I have to say, the Circle is more fascinating than I realized.” She supposed she could have asked question to Alice. But she always felt the Haunt was busy. Keeping her Family together, dealing with the Domain as Seneschal.

“Do you have any questions about the Domain? I’m afraid your Acknowledgement felt rushed and wanted to make sure there was no lingering questions or concerns.”

[Alessandra]

A chuckle, “I won’t lie, patience was never my strong suit. But over the years, I’ve developed a bit of it, though it’s still a work in progress.” She says with humor. “And that’s good to know. Though I do know and respect that every Covenant has their secrets.” She’d never push for secrets, it was her thing.

“I’ll have to remember that.” She would always have questions, but didn’t want to push how many she could ask in a night.

“I wouldn’t recommend trying to attack her. She is a skilled Haunt, blind, but not helpless. When we met her she had two dogs, but we made short work of them. So I’m not sure if she has new one, or if she would even show her face in the Domain again. Just keep in mind that she is dangerous. I’d rather not lose another Kindred to her.” Especially one she was enjoying talking with.

She had to wonder what would benefit the Domain from the farm? But she’d just have to wait and see. Maybe there would be more evenings observing their practices.

Her face shows interest as she listened.

“I grew up hearing the stories of it with the Underworld, Persephone is my memory serves me right. Has to do with why we have so many months of winter and the other seasons.” For some reason, she always loved the story.

“Effects torpid dreams? Does this mean that the belief is that they can influence them to be, lets say, less violent or unpleasant?” she’d been in torpor before, the dreams she had still haunted her at times.

Smiling and shaking her head, “You’re not putting me on the spot, I expected there to be question. As of right now, no one has stood out for the position. Nor has anyone stepped forward, but, the nights are still young. Giving our Brood situation, it’s going to have to be someone not afraid to do what needs to be done to address the problem. There are of course other factors to consider.” She just didn’t know anyone well enough within the Domain to name someone Reeve right off the bat.

Monomacy?

Smirking, “I’m a little surprised to have a member of the Circle asking about Monomacy. I’ve seen only one conflict handled with it in my years here. It is not something I take lightly, or want to encourage. But as an Invictus member, I understand it’s uses and why it has its place in politics. Now, it is one of the most important Rituals of the First Estate and not one I want to see Neonates push for because they think it will make a name for themselves. It is a last resort when there has been a personal insult or slight. It is not for a dick measuring contest. If that is desired, then I’m sure we can throw together a Court with the nights activities being duels. But yes, if everything else has failed to resolve the slight, then I am willing to discuss it. But it’s not something I enjoy seeing.” Final Death was, well, Final. And she had caused the Final Death many times and it never sat well with her.

[Alessandra]

There was a slight grimace, “Not that rare of a breed I’m afraid.” How to word this?

“Dirge was of that bloodline. It was a bloodline I did not know about until our previous Seneschal, developed it. So she had an understanding of sorts of what Dirge was capable of. While I wanted to see her skills in use, she was taken out of the fight quite early. But they managed to escape with her torpered body.” Though they didn’t get the Spear. Not that it mattered, Dirge was gone. To where, they did not know, and Alice was gone. “So there was two with it.” Not so rare now.

Nodding, “Well, clarity is always a good thing to have. And if it allows you to differentiate real from fake, then it is invaluable. I can speak from experience that the dreams one experiences while in a slumber can be haunting. And can be carried for years, always there, always making you question what was real and what wasn’t.” there was still that pang of guilt over putting Alice into torpor. Even though she knew it was the right thing, it was still difficult for her.

“I look forward to seeing who decides to step forward. It says something to me about that person. Having the guts to put yourself out there even though there is a possibility of rejection is a great attribute.” Then there was a smile, “And they also have to accept that I will not take a backseat in battle. I don’t intend to allow the Kindred of the Domain to fight a fight I’m not willing to as well.” She might be Prince, but she was not about to sit behind a desk and not help.

“Well, I’m not one to shy away from violence. But unnecessary violence is not welcome. We have bigger threats then hurt feelings and egos.” As a Savage, violence ran in her blood. “Though I do enjoy a good duel. We had Court a couple months back that had duels. I didn’t participate, thinking my skill with guns was an unfair advantage, but I enjoyed watching. We have some very skilled Kindred in the Domain. There was fencing and shooting. Maybe we’ll have to do that again, it was a nice distraction from the usual social Courts. What do you think? Would you participate in such a Court?” there was genuine interest in her voice.

Though she was surprised he asked about Monomacy and not her tattoos. Not that she cared, it was still a weird subject to discuss outside the Invictus.

[Alessandra]

A shrug, “I have to confess, it was a new bloodline to me. Even more shocking when Alice lost her eyes.” She created a shockingly beautiful sight though.

An eyebrow raised as she looked at him with curiosity, “A counseling of sort? I’d be lying if I didn’t say that has piqued my interest. And I’d eager to hear more about it. Are we talking counseling in the traditional way? Or is there another way?” she really was curious. If he could indeed, provide counseling of some manner, it could prove valuable. Help those coming out of torpor.

Smirking, “I just cannot ask someone to do something I’m not able and willing to do myself. How can someone expect people to follow them if they’re not willing to put themselves at risk? I’ve been at the base for many years, and put my own Danse on the line for this Domain. I see a good leader as someone willing to stand beside you in the face of danger. But also one who weighs the risks and rewards before moving forward. Blindly going into a fight is stupid, and I’ve learned over the years to be more calculated in each move.” It was what made her successful leading the mob back home.

There was a genuine laugh at the enthusiasm. “I must confess, it’s been sometime since I’ve been in or seen a good bare-knuckle brawl. Though there would have to be rules in place, such as limited use of disciplines. My own families presenting too many problems to be allowed.” Yeah, no. Allowing a Savage to use their Claws in a brawl was too large of a danger. “I’ll have to think about it, see if maybe there could be prizes to those who win.” But what? And this was why she needed a Seneschal, to run ideas by. “Though even if we don’t have such a duel for the Domain, I’d welcome the challenge of a brawl.” She’d gladly brawl for fun with someone. It helped hone her skills.

“Oh, well each has a different meaning, a different reason for getting it. I view myself as a canvas of my experiences in both life and death. Some mean more to me than others, but each important in its own way. Take this one,” she moves her leg to expose a black and gray portrait of Beethoven, “I simply love his music. It’s often on loop depending on what I’m doing.” Yeah, a Savage who loved classical music.

“These,” a finger delicately points to the stars running down her left temple, “are a reminder to me. A symbol of sorts that I can still be a Savage, heavily tattooed and still carry myself in a feminine way.” A soft chuckle, “I simply have too many and it would take your whole evening for me to explain each one. So I’ll ask if any spark your interest.” It was true, she was covered head to toe. Some he could see, some he couldn’t. And there was usually always one that caught someones attention over another. “And don’t worry about asking,” a soft smile, eyes sparkling, “I get asked all the time and there isn’t a question that would offend or upset me.” A light dismissive hand wave.

[Alessandra]

Eyes narrow slightly as she listens, a shallow and single nod.

“I have to say, that is a very large matter of trust to bestow in another. Certainly you understand reluctance. Trusting your torpored body with another Kindred is what I consider one if the highest forms of trust.” And how can one be comfortable in torpor? She hadn’t been comfortable, she’d been tied down to a chair, with gasoline soaking her clothes. “Not many Kindred are going to agree to enter torpor voluntarily, I only know of one.” She still felt some guilt over doing that to Alice.

“I’m very aware of the dream associated with torpor, they are not pleasant.” Some still vivid in her mind. “But I’m curious, you say it will help separate the truth, are you saying the terrifying and horrid dreams of torpor are lies? Pardon my ignorance on the subject, it’s not something I’ve voluntarily entered. Are the dreams trying to tell us something? Some how force us to face a truth we would normally deny?” she really was trying to figure this out.

“He was a remarkable man in his own right. Lead the Domain with a fair but just hand, in my opinion, large shoes to fill. An intelligent man as well, always had the right thing to say.” She admired Asa.

A chuckle, “A lesson I learned the hard way. I made many mistakes in my Danse, both overseas and here. But, it is those lessons we learn and grow from. If we don’t learn from our pasts and our mistakes, are we really learning?” pride had lead to her death, luck had been her Sire. Wraith had lead her to strike Brittany, grief a hard lesson.

“It certainly would be a true test of skills. To often we rely on our Disciplines and not pure skill. I, for one, have been guilty of that.” Now her Claws were only used if she had no options.

Smirking, “I must say, I’m not sure how a spar would turn out. I need to get back to the basics, I’ve been relying too heavily on my guns and not my strength in fights. I need to focus on training without them.” They didn’t stop Kindred.

A surprised smile, “Another lover of classic music. I find it soothing for a troubled mind, it has also helped spark some creativity as well. Do you have a favorite symphonies?” she enjoyed talking about music, it was different, not Kindred related.

A hand absently went to the right side of her neck, mind quickly doing a recount of what was there.

“Ah, the rose. In tarot, the rose is a symbol of balance, it also expresses hope and new beginnings. The thorns symbolizing loss, and thoughtlessness. The full bloom of the rose symbolizes growth, maturity, and achievement. It is one of the newer ones I have. And by newer, I mean quite a few years old.” A laugh. “You could say I’ve done my fair share of growing and maturing as the years have gone by.”