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Scene takes place on October 25th, 2023
Daniel Hawthorne:
After his exchange of Vitae with Vincent and the deep discomfort that it brought Daniel had done what he knew best to distract himself: throw himself into his work. He had been at the studio more often than not in the weeks since, barring the nights when his sister practically dragged him home to rest.
Tonight he was back at work, however, arranging the displays in the front part of the store.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val had been home for a few days but had a lot of people to see. This of course meant Daniel too to see if he was still willing to talk to her after a decently half assed promotion on Instagram.
She was of course wearing not a suit because she rode her bike here, but she wore the same smile from her competition as she entered.
"Hello hello hello."
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel turned his attention towards the door as Val entered, offering her a smile. Despite the pleasantries she could sense he was a little...frazzled, although he did hide it well. "Hey. Congratulations on Antwerp."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She smiles a fair bit, although it falters a step as she sees him expertly hide that expression.
"Thanks! Im definetly proud of it. I could have done some things better, that hop on the landing for bars was upsetting."
She offers an a easy smile, silently going 'you know I'm going to ask in a bit'. She switches to more casual and joking instead.
"So, hows buisiness going? Booming I hope? Or are you mad at me?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Not mad at all, no." He replied with a small smile, catching that look and returning a "I know" look. "Thank you for the shout out. We've been fielding a number of new design requests from it."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Ayyyy, thats exactly what I was hoping for. So lots of money and stuff. Want another one after the Olympics? Hint hint guess who made it."
A grin from someone oh so very humble.
Daniel Hawthorne:
He perked up at that, smiling widely. "Congratulations. I'd definitely be up for that."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
There we go, bringing smiles.
"For sure. You're my friend, I gotchu. All it takes me is taking a selfie which you know im oh so loathing to do."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Right." He said with a chuckle, his thumb idly rubbing against the side of his finger as he looked her over. "Could even take one with you if you like."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Hell yeah! You sure?"
She pulls out her phone.
"Oh, have you seen the whole SapphicVRR thing?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Can't say that I have, no..." he took a moment to check himself in a nearby mirror - which Val would notice that he actually appeared in - before scooting close enough for said selfie.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Hes explained that to her before. She poses for the photo with him with a giant smile, taking 3 or 4 to pick the best one for later.
"Well, people saw the lesbian pin I wore and VRR are my initials. So im of course being a shit and feeding the controversy."
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel gave a well-practiced smile as she snapped the pictures, smirking at the explanation. "Ah hah. Have fun with that."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Right? I'll probably confirm after the Olympics because... people, but still."
She looks around the empty space.
"Anyone else working or just you?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Just me at the moment. Had a few things that needed to be worked on."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods like 'mhmm'
"What's got you working overtime? Just cause you don't gotta sleep... doesn't mean you don't gotta rest."
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel started to reply but paused, clearly mulling how open he wanted to be. After the moment passed he tilted his head towards the staff door at the back of the studio.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Sure, yeah. Look, anything you tell me I'll keep between us, right?"
She holds the door open for him, obviously being careful as she does. Not used to the strength anymore.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I appreciate it." He nodded, heading through the door and into the office nearby, claiming one of the seats on the 'client' side rather than behind it.
"I'm not sure if you've heard it from Vinny, but he put a posting up in Elysium stating that he was interested in learning Nightmare. Since I have a fair hand at it I agreed, and he offered Majesty in return."
His thumb lightly rubbed against the side of his hand once again, the subtle little tick unnoticed by the Haunt as it happened. "Learning a discipline that is inherent to another clan requires a measure of their Vitae to cement it in the blood. So..."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She takes the "business" side, entirely because shes a cocky shit. One leg over the other and the whole evil buisinessman hand thing.
"I uh...hadnt actually. Havent caught up with all the Maddy's shit. Had two very involved talks while there..."
She shes the hand.
"You drank each other's blood and you're struggling with the Bond? If so, my brother is a dumbass and I'm very sorry for that."
Daniel Hawthorne:
He smirked a touch as she claimed the other chair, shaking his head at the question posed. "The Bond didn't take hold for me, although I believe it did for him. It was the first time that I've drank from another Kindred since my Embrace, though, and feeling the...itch to do so again afterwards was maddening."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She pauses.
"Ohhhh....yeah. The whole addiction thing? Lemme guess, you're overworking yourself so you dont have the time to think about wanting more? You sound just like Ylva."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Pretty much. I talked with Victoria about it that night but it's still there." He nodded, letting out a quiet breath. "Any advice on that front? I know it's not healthy, but it does work."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"You know ive been like...a major drug addict for years, yeah? Since I broke my leg."
She bites her lip.
"Ive got a few options for you, some better than others, all of them with drawbacks. Option one, you can distract yourself, I did it with gymnastics, Ylva did it with the community center, you're doing it with this. Its pretty common actually."
She drum on the desk.
"Option two, you can distract yourself with less shitty things. CBD is one, its non addictive and gives you something you enjoy. Sugar is another one.......shit you're dead, right. I'm a dumbass and forgot for a second. Uh? I guess feeding works? Just gotta be careful with that? Some people use sex...that can be an unhealthy addiction too."
She gives a thumbs up.
"AA is an option. You do gotta lie a bit. Alcohol or cigs are an easy one to fake. Could also go to Ylva's community center for that, they've got some helpful seminars...I'd know, I've spoken for a few of them for Ylva."
She snap points.
"Or you can take the cheaty way out, I did that for some of mine, and ask a Mage for help. Bones helped me, there was a lot and they helped ease the load for me for a bit. Will say, it isn't nearly as fulfilling and doesn't give the strategies, but if you're desperate I know for a fact it works for Vitae."
"Also, keep in mind this aint a definitive list. Theres more out there but this is what worked for me."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I know, hence why I asked. I suppose I have been for quite a while as well, now that I look at it through that lens."
He listened intently as Val continued, nodding quietly. "Bones has offered in the past but I declined. It felt like my burden to bear, although now that it's been rekindled the thought has been there to reach back out."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Gotcha, wasnt sure if I've told you. You're good bestie. You're not alone."
She considers.
"There's no 'staying on the wagon', please know that. You're not a failure or whatever else for feeling hella tempted after having sime. Hell, you're doing pretty good I think. Everyone has flareups when offered their vice and it feels like the whole world is falling apart for you, yeah?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Thank you." He smiled quietly, giving a nod. "Good way to put it, yeah. Keeping myself busy has put some duck tape on the cracks, as it were, but I know that'll only last so long."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"With the falling apart analogy, do you leave the problem for when the duct tape breaks or do you work on it while it holds?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"More the former, if I'm honest."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She pauses and looks at him.
"Bad. Very bad. But fair. Lets fix this problem first, ok?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I know, I know." He replied with a sheepish expression at the look, nodding quietly. "It's something I've been working on."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Wanna know the good news though?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Shoot."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"You're not alone, we got you fam. Addictions are shit and we gotta look out for each other because no one else will. That's part of why I appreciate what my dumbass is a brother is doing, he's trying to set up more clean sources. I was lucky that I had Ylva for my stuff. So... we are all kidnapping you to keep you as on track as you can, yeah?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel smiled quietly at that, giving a nod. "I appreciate that. It's...odd to talk about it, considering it was just part of serving my regnant at the time."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"I get it, yeah. First thing Guy did was apologize cause he addicted me to all of this...then apologized again when he found out I was an addict."
She rocks back and forth in the chair, he may start to notice shes always moving and fidgiting.
"But that means you have a whole other support system, us. Ghouls. We get it fam. Granted theres only a handful of us in the city. But also everyone has a slightly different experience, yeah? Never take someone else's experience as 'the right one' or anything else."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Very true. Growing up as part of the First Estate keeping up appearances was paramount, so such 'unpleasant' things weren't discussed. Old habits die hard there, I suppose."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"With no due respect, I really dont like the Invictus the more I hear about it. Probably my own issues with authority though. Here in the 'working class' of Kindred and Ghouls and whatever else, we look out for each other, yeah?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Why do you think I left it?" He offered with a wry smirk. "I got some good out of it, but I wouldn't have been able to grow as much as I have if I had stayed."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"I really wish I could persuade my brother out of it but I figure that's a lost cause. He's unfortunatly perfect for it. Anyway, back on you for just a minute and then I'll give you a break cause you're starting to deflect; do you want me to help set you up at an AA or something? Or one of Ylva's community center sessions?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"He is, yeah, both for good and bad." He nodded, smirking a touch. "The community center sounds like an idea."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val very much looks like she wants to say 'mostly bad' but she doesn't. It takes massive self restraint.
"Cool! Do you have Ylva's number?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I know." He replied seeing that look. "I think I do, but I'll take it again just in case."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She rattles it off without looking at her phone. Its one of five that she knows by heart. The others being her mom's, dad's, Vinny's, and Alice's.
Then she pulls out her phone and shoots of a text to her favorite fox, which is her second favorite floof.
"So Mr. Sir, what do you wanna talk about?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel punched in the number when given, saving the contact and setting his phone aside when he was done. "How did things go with the suits? The photos looked great."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Oh I loved them. Gals in suits are hot so I know I made ladies everywhere swoon. Will admit they are a tad hot but I'm also in a room with like....a lot of people so I'm not surprised. Secret worked wonders some days."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Good, and I bet." He nodded with a smirk. "I can adjust the lining on them if you'd like, will make it a little cooler."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Lowkey... on at least the white one would be great? That way I have a cool one for the hot days. Especially cause Paris will be in summer."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"You got it. Bring it in next time you come by and I'll get it sorted."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"You gotcha! Later this week work? Ive been bothering lots of peeps and I still gotta bother some others."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Sounds good. Give me a call when you're coming by and I'll make sure I'm here."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Willll do. Oh! Are you thinking of doing something for the little tournament thing Guy is setting up? I figure not fighting, but something else?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I may come and watch, at least. I'm decent as a fencer but not good enough to sign up for something like that."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"Could always do something sidelines wise. Guy is looking for people to help out, but thats all up to you. I think ima go the lower tier cause the upper tier sounds like its for a bunch of Elders and mages and stuff and uh...id get my ass kicked."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Right? Should be amazing to watch, though." He nodded. "I'll get a hold of Guy and see where I can help."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Bet. You should, hes a great dude. Plus I get to show off what he's taught me."
The bit of the Bond is clear in her smile. Not as fanatic as before, just starting out, but hes likely seen that kind of adoration plenty of times.
Daniel Hawthorne:
That smile didn't go unnoticed, with the Haunt smirking a touch in return. "I'm assuming you two have reconnected at this point?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Yeah, day 1 I was back. Er... night 1. You get me. It's so nice to have my Resilience back."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I bet. I've gotten so used to having it at this point that being without would be strange."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"It was. Lemme tell you, night 2 without it I crashed hard. Slept for like 14 hours. Everything starts feeling exhausting because nothing was tiring at all before."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Sounds about right. You did a spectacular job though, I will say."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Yeah, this is why I elected to get off Vitae months before the competition. Will say, was not the easiest to give it up while at the full strength of the Bond. Now that its a bit less...well I know I need to do it again for the olympics and itll suck, but for now I know I gotta do it."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Good call there. Glad it worked out well in the end."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Im probably getting off in May so i can be ready for sure by the end of July for the Olympics. Thats sorta the loose plan. And I'll get to show off your suits again!"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Looking forward to it." He replied with a smile.
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