(1808) The Neonate and the Seneschal

[Blackbird]

Blackbird offered the fire-haired Vivian York a small curtsy in acknowledgement of her esteemed position as she approached and gracefully accepted the Seneschal's unspoken invitation, walking down the less busy hallway so that they might discuss her arrival. As they walked, Blackbird would keep her head low in a careful reverence. She was new here and it would not do well for her rub the Prince's right hand in the wrong way. Caution was necessary.

"I am grateful for your audience, Seneschal, as I said it is my intention to attain Acknowledgement in this domain. As for my reasons? There comes a point when one must seek a niche away from their sire in order to continue their growth. To be frank, it was simply time to leave San Jose, but I promise you the parting with our cousins there was amicable."

Announcing her intent, she would lift her head and lock her gaze with alluring elder Daeva. "I do not seek individual Tenancy, of course, it would be foolish to expect personal feeding grounds that when your Domain knows nothing of me. Rites to communal feeding and the rite to establish a haven here will suffice. Unless I am able to prove myself worthy of greater boons in the eyes of the Prince of course."

Blackbird would let the statement sit as she walked a ways further, "I am well aware the boon of a home is not without a price, however. As such, I ask only that you state your requirement for sponsoring my acknowledgement. I may not be a soldier, but their are many other arenas in which I am capable."

The confidence in the last statement was evident in Blackbird's expression, a self-assured smile decorating her lips as she eagerly awaited the Seneschal's response. She had come this far and the pale-eyed neonate was willing to indebt herself - to a point - if necessary.

Vivian York

[Blackbird]

Blackbird saw the blink. Definitely a boost to the little Daeva's ego, clearly her mental preparations - and a little bit of her sire's guidance during her time with him - had paid off. She was attentive when he aimed to teach, though somewhat less so in other scenarios.

The confident neonate's smile tugged a little wider when she heard Vivian appeared to share some semblance to her own past at the mention that the similarities between the circumstances of their arrivals to Sacramento. Still the Seneschal had asked a question hadn't she?

"Yes, he remains there," Blackbird stated. Her smile remained, but some of her 'pep' wilted slightly, "but our contact will likely be infrequent. He has... his own interests." Their split was amicable, the circumstances leading up to it? Less so.

However, the diminishment was brief, as the enticing elder Daeva paid her compliments. There it was. Praise. It was at this moment, Blackbird locked her eyes with the fire-haired Daeva and answered her genuine smile with one of her own. The neonate held the locking gaze only for a moment, though likely long enough for the Seneschal to note the effect. Her ego boosted, Blackbird's poise became more self-assured.

The young vampire readily took the scroll and, as she was bidden, she dutifully unrolled the scroll and looked upon its content. Blackbird smiled. The structure was not unlike what she had experienced in San Jose save for two things: the authoritarian tone of words and the feeding restrictions levied against all Kindred.

"I must admit, these feeding restrictions are quite creative... Their value to the First Tradition must be immense." It was clear the neonate was taking her time to digest the information before her. Police are inclined to investigate... feeding from their comrades would only drive that instinct further. And the others are like heroes to the kine, should something happen to them, people would notice.

After a few more long moments, Blackbird quietly rolled the scroll, "I don't have any questions. These Laws are clear... Judging by the text, it seems the Prince is not overly lenient. This is good. It gives her favor and those of her officials more merit, I think."

Unsure whether or not Vivian desired the scroll back, Blackbird held it out to her, though their was the briefest of hesitations before doing so, which evidenced her age. This was her first time attempting to enter a new domain, after all. She wasn't going to be completely perfect.

"I would gladly abide by these Laws, if you would deem it appropriate to allow me."

[Blackbird]

Blackbird glanced to the approaching Cousin, looking her over as she spoke and as the Seneschal later introduced her. After the Dragon had said hello and introductions had been made, the young neonate bowed her head lightly.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Moretti."

Unsure whether Moretti aimed to speak with the Seneschal or herself following their business, Blackbird simply smiled and returned her gaze to the Seneschal. Still, if she was Moretti's target once the acknowledgement was settled, the neonate would be happy entertain the notions. As her sire was so fond of saying in court, Let the games begin.

Blackbird listened politely as the Seneschal spoke of her continued contact and arguably healthy (or so it seemed) relationship with her sire. Then came the acknowledgment. Blackbird's form visibly relaxed as the Seneschal subtly welcomed her formally into the city. She had already made plans to establish a haven, of course, in the event she succeeded in impressing the Court enough. A few short phone calls was all she would need to do in order to get it established, but that could wait until after Court.

The Seneschal dove deeper and her questions about Blackbird's interests and past life caused visible hesitation in the neonate, followed by a long pause. It was clear she had not expected this line of questioning. However, it would not do to leave the questions unanswered. That would cast suspicion, which she couldn't afford.

"I am unaligned for the moment, Seneschal. The issue of covenant isn't one that should be made lightly and it was the agreement between my sire and I that I remain unaligned while I remained in his haven. That said, there are certainly paths I favor now that I am afforded a choice. Time will tell."

Another pause followed as Blackbird considered her past. She wanted to choose her words carefully. And rightfully so. Still, the truth seemed to be the best route.

"As for my time among the kine? I was... groomed by a Hunter by the name of Ray Finch. To assist in his hunts, he had coaxed me to develop an interest in supernatural lore and esoteric mysteries. Once I was learned enough, I became a source for information and research for him and his allies. I never worked in the field, however."

There was emphasis on the last statement.

"These are also the services I offer our brethren and the Prince. I am willing to consult the notes and books I have collected over the years, should it be needed. Of course, should the information I provide prove useful to the Domain, it is my humble requests that I recieve favors that we can discuss at a later date once I've proven myself."

[Blackbird]

Blackbird gratefully took the Grand Wyrms hand as it was offered, shaking it briefly before letting go.

"Thank you, Grand Wyrm. I am pleased to make your acquaintance."

Looking back to the Seneschal, a tinge of embarassment crossed the neonate's face before she remembered herself.

"I apologize, Seneschal York, I... misunderstood what you meant by my interests. I had assumed you wanted to know what I could offer the Domain in exchange for my residency."

Blackbird looked away for a moment, shaking her head at her mistake before her lips parted to sound off a small chuckle, providing levity to herself, if no one else.

"I don't spend all my time engrossed in the occult. That would be... well, dull, I think. The nightlife provides us more than just meal tickets and I'd be a fool to engage in it. Live music is awesome! Punk, metal, rock... That kind of stuff, but I'm not big on concerts. Part of music is the experience, you know? My sire may disagree with it, but some the best nights I've had before and after the Embrace went hand in hand with shit beer and loud music."

Blackbird laughed again, but... perhaps she was getting a bit too casual? The young neonate cleared her throat and returned to her previous poise as Moretti and Vivian spoke of her past and its relevance to their Hunter situation. The surprise on Blackbird's face was evident. She was unaware the hunters were becoming a problem, but relished the idea of using her experiences with them as a means to establish herself. Thus, when the Dragon and Seneschal mentioned the boons it could provide, Blackbird responded with veiled eagerness.

"I am uncertain what knowledge I can provide, but I'd happily meet with the Prince and our protectors, if you feel I might provide some insight. I was... only an archivist, but I knew some things about their organization. It's unlikely they are connected to Finch though, as far as I know he has been inactive for the last decade, at least in the field. He'd be in his sixties now, so that's not a surprise... I am not a soldier, but if he is involved, I'd relish the opportunity to land the final blow."

Blackbird's eyes and voice grew cold at this last statement. Genuine anticipation emanated as she discussed even the possibility of visiting pain on what was, by now, an elderly Hunter who may not even be much of a threat. Blackbird did not care. If a chance existed to help her new family tear down her father​, she would leap at it. And if he was not involved? The blood of other Hunters would sate her just as well.