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 Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:34 am
Andrea thought about it. "It was very different. The coven was quite big, each big player trying to usurp the next. A lot of fighting within the group and a lot of covens trying to take their territory. I guess in that sense it is a much more unstable environment as here. But that is what happens when a coven leader isn't that much older than those he leads. Well, that and their utter lack of loyalty and power hunger. They probably lost their territory by now." She shook her head, disgust for that time clear. "They had a hierarchy; leader, council, followers. The problem came with their natures. Too young, too ambitious, too feral. I guess if you cannot scare your followers to respect your rule, you should at least be able to infuse them with a sense of civility and respect for authority. In the end that coven had too many unruly children."
"Was it all vampires," Annie asked, truly curious now.
Andrea nodded, "Every last one of them."
"I can't imagine such a life. It's very different here. It may be hard to adjust."
Andrea smiled, "For the first eleven years of my vampire life I was alone with Girard. Adjustment has been hard ever since."
"Have you ever met other kinds of beings?"
"Quite a few through the years. I've met werewolves, although my meetings were mostly characterised by fighting. I've also met sorcerers, shape-shifters, astral projectors and had nasty chance meetings with, among others, necromancers and reapers. Oh, and had a situation with some impudent elves once."
Annie nodded. "A lot of them are here, too. We have a large civilization here. All underground. Of course, we don't all stay down there the whole time. We're still civilized people that enjoy modern conveniences," she grinned. "We still shop and go to movies, too." She remembered how amused she'd been when she was first introduced to that side of the world, shortly after being turned; how she'd laughed when she met a demon with a plush home and an extensive DVD collection centered around his favorite actors - Anne Hathaway and Bruce Willis. Or the golems that regularly traversed the tunnels and underground roads, making deliveries and vending magical items and ingredients.
"Well, I guess this place isn't going to be that bad as I've come to accept all places to be," a sad smile appeared on her lips.
"I think," she said slowly, remembering the ledger in Silvano's office, "We have seven million citizens in our territory. Roughly."
"That's amazing," her eyes grew with surprise. "How far does Silvano's territory stretch?"
"Most of the northwest coast of Washington." [Link]
"Impressive." She walked on in silence after that.
With Antoinette Tolken via PM.
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:40 am
Andrea followed, amazed. She had never seen such an well-managed, integrated system. "I guess there are still things in the world that can surprise me."
Annie walked past the queue of people now departing one by one based on their surface destination and crossed into the wide passage. "This stretches on for miles. The whole territory is connected and organized into several sections: shopping, entertainment, gardens and parks, offices, hotels, schools, residential areas..." She trailed off her list. "Each district has ten to fifteen different sections in those categories, and they're usually large. There are even subway stations. The roads that we drive on are toward the outskirts of the territory. Toward the center, there's only public transportation," she explained. "Is there anywhere you want to go? I'm not great at giving orientation. I've only had to do it twice."
"I might need to buy some clothes, but other than that I'm set."
With Antoinette Tolken via PM.
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:47 am
 District 22
Territory
Theme: [X]
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:51 am
"Let's see what they have. You can pick something out for yourself. Since you're stuck babysitting me anyway."
Annie shrugged. "Maybe. Theirry might— " She broke off, blushing. "I just mean, maybe I could use a new outfit or two."
"Theirry?" Andrea asked with a conspiratorial smile and genuine interest in her voice.
"He's..." She hesitated, pretending to be absorbed in a window display so she wouldn't have to look directly and Andrea. "He's sort of part of our clan. He's not in the coven, though. He works with us under contract. He doesn't live very far from here."
"Oh, and where does he live?" she walked into the store and started to browse through a rack.
"In Mirror Grove just a few blocks from here." Annie followed, examining a display of silk gloves.
"Maybe we should pay him a visit?" she selected a few items and moved to another rack.
Annie blushed deeper and turned her back quickly, picking up the first item she saw as a cover. "I... I don't know..."
"But I really want to now. See what else are we going to do for seven hours." She smiled at Annie.
Annie put the lump of crystal down and composed herself before turning around. "Sure. I guess so." She took her time looking through the clothing, trying to drag it out as long as possible.
Andrea dropped the clothes, "We might as well go there first, because otherwise we'll have to drag the clothes along."
"We could have them delivered," she pointed out desperately, feeling hopelessly shy and nervous.
"Okay, then." Andrea picked up the bundle again and added to it as she skimmed through the clothes systematically.
Annie selected a new pair of silk gloves and put together an entire basket of herbs and roots, fragrant twigs and dried flowers. She placed an order for several glass vials and flasks before checking out at the counter. Time seemed to move too quickly for her. She couldn't avoid it any longer. "Ready," she announced dully.
"With everything checked out at the counter, I guess I am." She beamed, excitement visible in her demeanor.
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:54 am
 District 22
Mirror Grove
Theme: [X]
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2014 9:58 am
Andrea blinked several times, "This is nauseating." She hated the reflection on reflection on reflection.
"And effective." She knew the path well and hurried through to the other side of the grove, down a hall that bore the number three. [Link] It was a plain stone corridor lit by dim lamps. She turned right at the end of the hall where the walls were decorated by signs in Mandarin, dragon carvings, and paper lanterns hung from the ceiling, their flames flickering. She stopped outside a black door with gold Mandarin writing down the side from the top to the bottom. She hesitated, then knocked and waited, hoping he wasn't home.
"This is nice," her eyes scanned the place wit appreciation. "Although I don't think I can manage with that Grove of Horrors to get here."
"You could teleport. Or take a back route; it's much longer that way, but you wouldn't have to see those mirrors. I could show you," she offered hopefully, turning away from the door. She was just about to walk away when it opened. "What a nice surprise. Who's your friend, Annie?"
"T-Thierry. Hi. This is... Um." Her mind went blank. She stared hopelessly at Andrea.
Andrea smiled, very much amused. "The name's Andrea."
"It's nice to meet you, Andrea. Come in, please." He stepped aside to let them through the door. Annie took a step back to let Andrea in first, nervous. She'd never actually been inside...
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:31 am
 District 22
Theirry's Home, Third Tunnel, Mirror Grove
Theme: [X]
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:47 am
"Thank you," he replied. "What brings you here?" He took a seat, pulling Annie into a chair; it seemed that she wasn't going to move unless he made her. She gave him a faint smile and busied herself looking around the room.
"I'm assuming you mean, here to your place?" she send an amused smile in Annie's direction.
"Sure," he said in a polite, encouraging tone. Annie took a small stone from her pocket, mouthed something discreetly, and clutched it tightly in her palm. She seemed to calm down a fraction.
Andrea looked back to the fire and laughed. It has been decades since she has seen this behaviour from a vampire. Her heart gave a sharp twist and her laugh dried up. That was it she thought; the moment when the world became dull and your heart dark. When you cannot find something to love. She rolled her eyes, deciding that it was perhaps not the only reason. "I begged Annie to show me the place. See I'm going to be staying here for an undisclosed amount of time, and I'd like to meet some new people and see some new things while I'm here."
He nodded thoughtfully. "Have you seen any of the parks around this section of the district? Or perhaps the swimming areas, if you enjoy swimming?"
"I love swimming," she turned from the fireplace and made her way to where the other two was sitting. "I've only recently arrived. But I'm sure that Annie and I will have enough time to explore. Come to think of it we'll be quite inseparable during my stay." She gave a sad smile, thinking of Silvano's order. Poor Annie. To be her responsibility, and she's so strained to keep him happy. Perhaps I'll keep my visit to the place short after all.
Theirry gave a large, warm smile. "I'm sorry. I'm not being a very good host." He stood, "May I get anything for you two to eat or drink?"
"I'd love something to eat and drink please," she looked at her fingers before adding, "I'm not very picky so I'll it in your hands."
Annie nodded quickly and Theirry laughed. "Something's gotten into you." He gave her a playful pat on the head and departed. Annie slouched in her seat and exhaled sharply.
Andrea had a questioning look on her face. After a moment she smiled. Her assumption was clear; Annie liked Theirry. "Why don't you act on it?" She needed to be cryptic, in case Theirry was listening in on the conversation. Annie twirled the stone. "He's above my rank. And Silvano forbids it." She gave another sigh. "But you probably know what that's like, right? Hierarchy and cultures keeping you from doing what you want? I imagine it's much of the same everywhere."
Andrea's face fell, but she quickly recovers. "Yes, I understand." Her thoughts went to Girard and his rules and then to the various covens she has encountered. "But I've always been somewhat unconcerned as I never truly become nested. Besides I'm sure you're still allowed a bit of fun. Now when you say Silvano forbids it; what was his exact words?"
Annie assumed a stern expression. "Annie, you are not to get involved with Theirry in any romantic sense, and you are not to get too close to him. I don't want him influencing you."
Andrea became thoughtful, "So his concern lies with dividing loyalties, but you're so scared of him I don't think you'll even consider following someone else." The fact being that he'll kill both of you if you do. "It all depends on how the individual defines involved, but observing you now..." She is very conscious of him. Perhaps she has already became close to him in a sense that she might even care about him. Dangerous. Very dangerous for them both it would seem. "Anyway..." But her words failed her and she stared awkwardly at anything but Annie. Her own demons seemed to choose tonight to darken her mood.
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Posted: Thu Nov 20, 2014 10:49 am
"Drastic," Andrea mused. "I'll probably get the same threat or warning when I take my leave. Leave and never return." A wry smile formed on her lips and she shrugged. "I wonder what happened in his long life that damaged him so."
"You'd have to go back pretty far," she shrugged. "He's been like this in everything I've heard about him. He might go easy on you, though. He went easy on Tris. But that might be because I begged him." Annie lapsed into thoughtful silence.
"Why would he go easy on me then? You did not put a good word in for me. I recall being call this woman." Andrea laughed, "Now I might have complicated feelings about my eternal life, but when it comes to ending it I'd like to do it myself; on my own terms. And the more I think about it, the clearer it becomes that I should definitely stay out of his way. But you don't have to worry, when I leave and he seems particularly vexed, I'll put an oceans' distance between us." She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes.
Annie shrugged, mumbling, "It would be nice to be allowed to have another friend." Theirry returned with a tray of blood-wine and some cinnamon sticks for Annie. He placed the glasses on the table along with a bowl of dried apricots and a bottle of some foamy, white liquid that Annie was excited to see. She immediately grabbed a cinnamon stick and placed it between her lips, enjoying the earthy, spicy flavors.
Andrea took a glass of blood-wine and looked from Theirry to Annie. A slight smile appeared and she shook her head. What a pity. Then her thoughts turned to Silvano and her brow furrowed, there had to be something that made him the way he is. It was going to eat at her, because she knew she'll never know. She sipped from her glass, the taste was divine and she realised she hasn't fed in two days. That suicidal behaviour is making its appearance again, she mused to herself.
Annie was determined to keep the conversation going, lest her mind have time to wander and make her blush. She struggled to find something to say, but was saved by Theirry asking Andrea, "Where do you hail from, Andrea?"
"Are you asking me where I was last before I came here?" She took a sip, savouring the taste.
"Your origin point, actually. But if you're more comfortable with the other version, we can assume that."
"No, origin point I'm more comfortable with. I was born in France to a French mother and Italian father. Paris to be exact. It was a glorious time," it was hard to decipher if her last sentence was sarcastic or sincere. "And you Theirry? Where do you hail from?"
He gave a wide grin. "London."
"Ah... Lovely Britain," a hint of sarcasm did taint the words this time. She smiled and took a seat opposite the two, crossing her legs and relaxing.
"Great hunting," he pointed out. "However, that's not my origin point." He took his glass and leaned back into the sofa, stretching one arm along the back. Annie's face flushed.
A lazy smile formed at Annie's reaction. How she loved it. The humanity of it all. Andrea's golden eyes settled on Theirry again, "Please. Do indulge me with your particulars."
"Most particulars I can't divulge, but I'd be happy to oblige where I can. Which particulars would you like to know?"
"Where you born and when were you turned?" She eyed him, curious. Then she looked to Annie, and then her glass. Reprimanding herself for so obviously staring at them.
"I was turned in 1976 when I was 26 years old. I was born in 1950, but I can't say where," he replied with a wink. He popped an apricot in Annie's mouth, clearly enjoying himself. "Next question?"
Andrea smiled, gave a dramatic sigh and kept staring at her glass. "How I wish I could have been turned when in my twenties. To be forever stuck in the body of a nineteen year-old." She dipped her finger in the blood-wine and placed in it her mouth. "I'm not sure what to ask you next. Annie?" But she didn't wait, "Let me think. In 1976 I was twelve. What can I remember of that time?" She tapped her finger against her lips. A smile formed, but she dismissed the idea and feigned seriousness, "Were you married when you were turned? You were 26 so I presume it could be a possibility."
"I was not married. My fiance was murdered two years prior to my turning," he said quietly.
Andrea was silent for a moment. "Death. It comes to us all sooner or later." She looked at the fire. Deciding to speak before the mood became to sombre, she continued, "You are close in physical age to the one that turned me. Girard was 27." There it is. It always came back to him. But if you had to be honest, he is the reason you're travelling the world. Too bad he is so proficient at not being found.
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