Dirt Nap's Room

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap's room is beyond spare. It has a long, black leather covered storage bench, and opposite that, a single black folding chair. The closet door is shut, and there is no other furniture in it. The interior of the bedroom walls and the doorway are covered in 'blackout curtains', possibly covering up any windows and definitely muffling all sounds.

Nonetheless, Dirt Nap invites Lina Moretti in and shuts the door. "Please, sit if you prefer, Ma'am, Grand Wyrm." he says, waiting to see if she will sit and giving her first choice.

"Thank you for your time." he says when she seems settled, either sitting or standing. "I think you may already know, but want to tell you that I have been looking for someone to teach me how to mask my beast, by Obfuscation. I spoke to Priscus Elletra Vitale and Priscus Krieg about it, each separately." he says.

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap nods acknowledging the truth that he was free to seek out teachers, and also that she was free not to actually say so. He sits on the bench.

"Thank you for saying so, Ma'am Grand Wyrm. Priscus Elettra Vitale was the one I approached, and she said to call her to talk about it in private. Priscus Krieg approached me, and then when I mentioned wanting to learn something, asked me outright what I wanted to learn, and invited me out to the farm, saying he'd teach me, no mention of a price." he says.

"I...really do want to learn it. I don't really know how I feel about it seeming so easy, with Priscus Krieg." he says. "So, the first thing, I wanted to let you know, and ask if you had an opinion on one or the other as a Teacher." he says. "Priscus Elettra Vitale hasn't shown it, hasn't masked her beast that I have seen, but Priscuss Krieg has."

"The second thing. I might be foolish to ask this, but I wondered if learning Protean was a desire of yours, Grand Wyrm. Because if it was, I would be willing to do it, to approach the Priscus for permission."

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap listens intently to Lina Moretti's response, and nods when she finishes her advice. When she offers to teach him disciplines, he nods again, more deeply and says, "Thank you very much, Grand Wyrm. I really appreciate that."

When she asks her question, Dirt Nap goes completely still and silent.

After a long moment, Dirt Nap says, "I haven't discussed it with any of them." he says. "I have some thoughts I could share, for what it's worth based on observation." he says.

"Everyone knows we are 'closer' to our Beast, but not what it feels like." Dirt Nap says.

"Our Clan, at least the ones who learn Protean, I am not sure about Mister Prosper, we think, feel things different. I think it makes us seem strange in our thoughts. The first part of it, is the Predator Aspect. We aren't really afraid of stronger beasts. What we feel, with everyone, is wanting to challenge 'em. It's a thing that could get us ended, and it does end a lot of us, so the survivors, we learn to compensate, or we don't survive." he says.

"So before we're thinking about our status or position or power, we're dealing with our reaction to the Beast." he says. "I think it's not really so strange that a bunch of us are Dragons, and we follow a Crone, because the reason we are Dragons, I think, is we all are focused on fighting down our Beast, against anger frenzy." he says. "So, the disgrace being her losing herself to anger frenzy...is something we all are relatable, I think. Well, maybe not Mister Prosper. I don't know, but I think he has a more normal fear response."

Dirt Nap looks at Lina Moretti closetly, "I think basically, it's our instinct to follow the strongest beast, and the Prince doesn't want to be the Priscus, so if she isn't challenging Priscus Wood, on an instinct level, it feels like challenging Priscus Wood is like challenging the Prince. And we, the ones who survive, have to train ourself into the habit of not challenging stronger beasts, even though our beast wants to all the time, or else we wouldn't be around."

Dirt Nap pauses, like he has used up all his words for a time. Then he adds, "Oh, but for me, I follow her mostly because her goals don't conflict with mine. A more active, Priscus that wanted to get the whole Clan doing stuff that she wanted to force us into...would cut into my studies."

[Dirt Nap]

"Thank you, Ma'am, Grand Wyrm." Dirt Nap says.

"That's all. I actually appreciate the encouragement, that you don't think neither of them would try to murder me. I don't have a good read on Priscus Krieg. I figure to try him first." he says, rising as Lina Moretti does, apparently to escort her out of his bare room if she's leaving.

Thank you! Fun and helpful scene! I am up for closing if you are and fine to continue if you want, either way.

[Dirt Nap]

Dirt Nap nods listening intently to every word Lina Moretti says.

Then, when she asks him about the past, he pauses and says, "Ma'am, that was another person, not me. He was a kid. Grew up in Houston and died of cancer a while back. My Sire saw him, fighting for every breath, making cancer wait as long as he could hour by hour, minute by minute, and decided to see what that would look like after an Embrace. I'm not him, I don't have any connection anymore, haven't heard the name since they pronounced him dead. But I remember him, and I try to fight like he did."