Drive

[Blackbird]

The Sheriff had requested a meet outside of Elysium. Thus, Blackbird was not about to put her finery on display.

No.

Now was a time to blend, or at least seem ordinary. Thus, the little bird of Clan Daeva dressed as she normally did outside of the Nox. A well worn blue denim jacket, a black Mudhoney band shirt (the logo faded and slightly crumbling from frequent wear), and a pair of slightly faded black skinny jeans, its age further evidenced by worn patches on the thighs and knees, made up her ensemble. Her hair, the usual messy pigtails. Her makeup, the usual grunge aesthetic the Kindred had likely come to expect.

She stood casually on the street, nearly pulling out a cigarette to light before the Sheriff rolled up and the stick found its place back in its packaging.

As the window rolled down, Blackbird offered her boss and Priscus the usual wry smirk she often wore and, upon hearing the door unlock, slid within the confines of Moretti's ride.

[Blackbird]

At Moretti's request demand?, the neonate would retrieve one of the cigarettes. It was her usual poison, good ol' pale blue American Spirits. Placing it in her lips, she lit the tobacco, taking a small puff only to ensure it remained lit before handing it out for the Sheriff to retrieve.

"Well. No, Sheriff, not really," she offered, "but no new news. Still got both groups of hunters, gangs to the south, and the GTF. There's potential for a really REALLY toxic three-way at least, but from where I'm sitting, I think we're a little too caught up in the middle for now. On top of that we got some missing Kindred. Though, honestly, I think a few of them just skipped town. From what I've heard, the Hunters have only really found us out when we've confronted them... or otherwise crossed paths. Which means, aside from maybe a few clues here and there, I don't think they know who we are. Yet."

There was emphasis on the last word.

Letting the statement hang for a bit, Blackbird would use the pause to look at the interior of the Mustang in greater detail.

"Also, gonna be honest," she continued, "This, is not what I was expecting."

Blackbird made a point to gesture at the dashboard as a means to indicate she was referring to the car.

[Blackbird]

Blackbird lit a cigarette of her own as the Sheriff talked, letting out an amused huff as Moretti spoke of what they knew and how the Hunters knew they knew.

"If there's anything we have, it's time," Blackbird said, "Hell, if they weren't so effectively, I'd say leave them be for a decade or so. Let age soften them. It gets to them eventually, if they don't die early. I doubt my father's in the field these days."

To the sly Sheriff's question, Blackbird smirked in turn.

"Well, I dunno. Subdued, likes to blend in..." she offered, an mischievious glint dancing in her eyes, "What would that be in California? A Prius?"

[Blackbird]

As her Priscus snorted at her joke, Blackbird allowed herself to laugh. The sound was genuine and was one of the few times the little neonate had allowed herself that freedom. She was nothing if not careful in the eyes of other Kindred.

Then Lina began to speak the reasoning behind their meeting.

For the first time in a long time, Blackbird was speechless. No witty retort. No 'humble' advocation of her abilities or accomplishments. Just a simple stunned expression, her mouth lightly parted to the point that the cigarette in her mouth was briefly in danger of falling. Luckily, though, Blackbird was able to pull together enough awareness to secure it more firmly with her lips. Blackbird's eyes searched Lina's features for a long time. She knew the Grand Wyrm was being serious, Lina was not one to joke about such matters.

Yet that was part of the problem. Of all Moretti's titles, she was offering Blackbird the one the neonate coveted the most. And Blackbird was likewise certain that the Grand Wyrm was all too aware of this as well. Lina wanted something. A debt, a boon, or maybe a little of both? Blackbird wasn't sure, but she was more than willing to listen, her gaze never wavering from the Dragon.

"Well, I'm certain this little bird would humbly accept the position," she offered finally, her voice now hinting at the stoic formality she so often used when in the company of most Kindred, "Certainly, it'd be selfish to assume such duties without offering her predecessor thanks or a favor for such an act. After all, one hand washes the other... wouldn't you agree, Sheriff?"

She'd let her own statement hang as well. Blackbird was confident Moretti knew she was no fool, but it never hurt to offer a reminder.

"What are your terms, Moretti? I'd think it unwise to accept the title without seeing what you wanted in exchange."

Blunt? Maybe, but Lina was someone Blackbird felt comfortable being honest with. The Grand Wyrm didn't give Blackbird any bullshit, it was only fitting to the neonate to offer the same courtesy.

[Blackbird]

There it was. Lina needed help. And Blackbird had the right expertise to push the Dragons in the right direction.

Yet.

Blackbird's expression was not one of anger, perplexity, or any other negative reaction the Grand Wyrm might have been expecting. No. The little bitch bird was amused. Then again, Moretti knew her better than most. Perhaps she saw Blackbird's expression coming. The neonate loved the political game to an extent. And, even if the current play was made at Blackbird's expense, the Grand Wyrm was playing her hand masterfully.

As Lina laid out her play, that familiar wry smirk once again tugged at Blackbird's lips, regarding her fellow Daeva with a mirthful gaze.

"Bold." she offered, her tone once more teetering on the side of friendliness. She felt they were familiar enough after all.

I knew there was a little devil in there somewhere.

Then the neonate stared forward for a moment, considering Lina's words as she laid out some hard truths in plain terms.

"If you want my commitment to the Ordo Dracul in exchange for the title, you have it," she said, agreeing to the terms. However, her eyes showed she was going to say more.

There was always a but.

"You should know though," she continued, "As Priscus, I intend to support the interests of our Family regardless of their Covenant affiliation. You want the Ordo Dracul to become exceptional and I want the Kindred of Sacramento to understand Daeva investment in the accomplishments of the Domain. Does this sound agreeable?"