Of Light and Darkness

[Cynthia Weiss]

Another night, another location for a meeting. Cynthia had little idea what these Paths of Fate would entail, but Lina seemed excited to get started that night at the park.

The door creaked open and a scent similar to ammonia and propane started to leak in. Clad in black denim with a large purple deathhawk was the Priscus of Clan Nosferatu. She glanced around the room for a moment before her attention was drawn to the woman behind the desk that was for all intents and purposes her new boss in this Covenant.

"Good evening." The goth said with a smile. She glanced at the empty seats with a subtle frown. "Hope I'm not too early."

[Aaron van Valen]

There are a lot of things on Aaron's mind as he makes his way to this meeting. First of all, he's glad that Lina agreed to do the test with Cynthia. He's not necessarily surprised by the younger Dragon, but he knows that the Paths of Fate are somewhat more unusual nowadays than they used to be. Especially with all the more modern Dragons inhabiting the "New World".

But the Paths of Fate mean a lot to the Dragon Lord. This spiritual side of the Ordo Dracul is what inspires him daily. He told this to Lina afterwards, and that he has an old card deck that belonged to his Sire. He holds it close to his body, with both hands, it in a small leather card case as he walks in the office space.

'Hello.' He's dressed in tight dark jeans and as usual, with a nice shirt buttoned up to his neck. Today the color is navy blue.

The second thing on his mind: they should have a proper Chapter House to do this in. But they are a very freshly formed Academy, so he can forgive himself. Besides, that minor annoyance weighs much less than the happiness that is on his mind when thinking of their newest recruit. The Priscus of Haunts.

'Grand Wyrm. Cynthia. I hope you are both well tonight.' He'd refrain from calling her Slave just yet. Aaron closes the door behind him and makes himself comfortable in one of the chairs. Still holding the box. 'I'm very excited for tonight. We'll tell you shortly what we're even going to do. I hope "Paths of Fate" did not get you imagining too many crazy things.'

[Cynthia Weiss]

"Good evening Aaron." Cynthia said with a nod. The complicated world of Titles were still a mystery to her and so far they don't seem interested in pressuring her to learn them right away. Easing me in I see "I dunno what to expect, but I hope it isn't too harrowing." She replied with a smirk as she slipped to the side and too a seat. She spied the case in the Ventures hand.

The Nosferatu listened intently as Lina explained. Cynthia's eye twitched a bit at the mention of god but otherwise face remained solid like marble. Finally she shrugged. "Honestly I was going to ask details on this Paths of Fate thing was going to entail, but that seems to be a bit moot."

[Aaron van Valen]

Aaron gives Lina a firm nod. 'The Course of Light it is.' He smiles, since he would like to start indeed. It feels a bit strange to divide the tasks like this, but they have not yet determined who would be Cynthia's mentor.

Maybe the outcome of the test could help in that regard. They'd have to see.

'Do you mind if we switch places then, for the first part?' It really makes more sense for Aaron to sit opposite of Cynthia. He wants to be able to look her in the eyes.

He rises from his seat, before really waiting for a reply, and starts speaking again.

'So the Paths of Fate are, put simply, a test. A test that reveals to us a glimpse of your inner self. A test that might help you understand your own actions. A test that will help us determine your future in the Covenant. We will describe a series of situations for you, each of which can be resolved in only two possible ways...' Aaron produces a small piece of chalk from his chest pocket, and starts writing on the desk, 'Every choice you make is related to one of the Heavenly Virtues in the Course of Light, and the Seven Deadly Sins in the Course of Darkness. A tarot deck is used to keep track of your choices. The Virtue and Vice that receive most cards will be considered your defining quality and defining temptation, respectively. Each possible combination results in a different tarot Fate Card. Your Fate Card.'

The writing is done. Aaron still remembers the entire test in detail. He studied it well. He looks down at the table. He is ready to begin.

Charity | Faith | Fortitude | Hope | Justice | Prudence | Temperance

Back to Cynthia: 'So there is no right or wrong here, perhaps only in your mind. Whether you will find this test harrowing or not, I cannot say. The truth is sacrosanct. Are you ready?'

  Remembering/Memorizing Paths of Fate

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-09-24 19:20:39		Aaron van Valen rolls 4 to Int + Comp to memorize paths - 3 (extensive knowledge) (10 Again)		9, 5, 4, 8		2 successes

[Cynthia Weiss]

I can't say I was expecting a game of Would You Rather. Cynthia watched as the words were scratched in with chalk

"Well it does sound simple enough." She said, agreeing with Aaron. Although Linas words did not put her at ease. Sometimes it amazed her how much innocuous statements tend to dredge up memories that put her on edge.

"Lets get started then."

[Aaron van Valen]

Simple enough, to a certain extent. Nonetheless, Aaron is very curious to hear Cynthia's replies.

He unboxes the tarot deck. The cards are yellow with very classic looking drawings. They are kept only in reasonable condition because they are hardly ever used. This is Aaron's Paths of Fate deck. He puts the cards in front of Cynthia.

'You will draw the cards. You can draw them face-down, as the exact card does not necessarily matter.' He has known Kindred that believe there to be meaning in everything. Aaron definitely believes that there is little coincidence here. But at this moment, he feels a detailed analysis is unnecessary.

He reclines in the chair, without taking his eyes off the Haunt in front of him. His undead body remain eerily still. Then he begins, reciting from his mind:

'Your leader commands you to torture a captured prisoner so as to intimidate his comrades. If you obey, put this card on Faith. If you refuse, put this card on Charity.' Aaron waits calmly for Cynthia to make a decision.

'You have pursued a traitor against your king for many years. At long last, you bring her to bay, only to have everyone around her swear solemn oaths and offer persuasive evidence that she has amended her ways and now leads a righteous and loyal existence. If you punish her for the crimes she committed long ago, put this card on Fortitude. If you give her a second chance, put it on Hope.'

'You have evidence that a powerful lord has committed treason. He is ensconced in a fortress, and removing him will be difficult and dangerous. But it will cost him time, men and money if you make your attack, so he offers riches, titles and territory to your master if you will overlook his previous betrayal.' He pauses shortly, letting the newest recruit sit on this rather archaic scenario. 'If you attack, place this card on Justice. If you accept his terms, place it on Prudence.'

'You know a woman has been falsely imprisoned. If you implore the judges to reconsider her sentence — a process that may take months — place this card on Temperance. If you offer to take her place as a surety, place this card on Charity.'

[Cynthia Weiss]

Cynthia nodded once last time before she started to hear the choices she had to make. She drew a card from the deck and studied it. Aged but still reasonably legible and sturdy. The haunt leaned forward, one arm resting against the desk, the other held high and kept aloft with her elbow planted on the dark wood of the desk.

They do not fuck around here. She though about the first question. There was a brief glance at Lina before she shook her head and slotted the card under Charity.

The answer to the second one came to Cynthia quicker. The Hope pile got its first card.

The card danced in her fingers for a moment. Eventually the card fell into the spot named Justice. "Sure someone might argue contradictions about that one and the last." she muttered.

A frown formed that the forth question. "Not how I'd deal with the situation..." she grumbled. It took far longer to decide until the card was tossed into the Temperance deck. "Knowing how some places work, they would be happy with two prisoners."

"I'm sensing a bit of a loyalty theme to these questions so far."