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Tommy Shanks:
Tommy stepped through the magic portal in Philadelphia to enter the diner. She wore the same suit from earlier at the dog park, and awaited Val to walk through the portal as well. Thankfully, they could see through the portal to see if Val ghosted or not.
Instead of the usual satchel, she had a fashionable purse that fit most of her things, but not all.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val had walked into the alleyway. She was dressed in her biker jacket and jeans, her bike parked a block away. As she got to the alleyway she looks around, confused as fuck. She pulls out her phone to check the directions she got. This was the right spot...yes?
Tommy Shanks:
She peeks out the portal, "Hey Val. Come in here Nina Bonita, I thought you saw me walk through. Sorry!"
She then slowly, and carefully shows Val where hte portal is before walking through it.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val was surprised to hear Tommy's voice. "Oh shit hey. Yeah no, been a long week."
She walks on through, a surprised look at the sudden appearance of a DINER. She looks around the space, a solid nod. "Ah yeah, its got a homey vibe."
Tommy Shanks:
"So this is Maddy's Waffle House. It's located," he gives the specific location, "but that portal is quicker from inside the city."
She grabs her normal coffee carafe and mug. Then they found the booth in the corner with the best view of the whole area and sat down.
She watched Ria come closer, studying the woman.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Ria takes a menu, and gets a mug. She looked around the space with a bit of wonder but also wariness.
"Yeah cool. Way easier. I'll be frank that's my first time going through a portal."
She glances over. "You want to ask me things and want me to get settled first. Don't you."
Tommy Shanks:
"Just... well, you slept with my girlfriend. THat makes inevitable ideas pop up. That makes me feel weird as someone that once helped change you into your swim suits."
Vincent Drake:
Custom purple silk shirt, custom fitted pants, Vinny does not look like Vinny but it's him. Walking though the portal he asks for his regular Mt.Dew as normal and looks for a seat then goes wide eyed at the sight of Val and Bones, seems the universe loves to challenge him.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She flinched.
"Fuck...Titania? Yeah to be fair I didn't really....know who she was. But yeah, I'm a grown ass woman Tommy."
Tommy Shanks:
"Grown ass woman indeed. That's also, perhaps, something I'm dealing with. You should meet the first woman I slept with as a woman. Similar air. She's a literal Valkyrie though. So I guess it's also my realization that you are a grown ass, hot ass, tall ass, butch ass, sexy ass woman too. My mind is a little fractured as a result."
As Vincent walked through, they lifted a hand in acknowledgement, "Vincent."
Vincent Drake:
"Bones," he nods, "Good to see you," he turns to Val and the memory of their last fight still in his mind but he offers a hand, "Hey Val." he says, diffrent from how he greets others mostly but then again he's known Val for years and others weeks, "I'm. . .can we talk about what happened?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val curses under her breath in Spanish as soon as Tommy says her best friend's name. She doesn't turn to look at him.
"Look Tommy, you went off to college. People change when you do that."
When Vincent makes it over, she looks confused. "Bones?" Then shakes her head. "Look, I don't know who is telling everyone about my sex life but it needs to stop."
Tommy Shanks:
SHe sighs and sits back, taking a breath while making their coffee up, "Titania didn't know about our connection when she told me. I nearly fried her on the spot. We were outside... would have been so easy...." she shook her head, "But yes. Just been messing with me. I know I went off, and things changed, but seeing the change doesn't always mean noticing or acknowledging. This hit me in a few spots at once..."
Taking a sip of the coffee, their eyes refocus on Vincent, although it was just a social nicety to focus, "Looks like we're both on Ria's bad side at present. Which button did you push?"
Vincent Drake:
"Overprotective Vinny is apparently a very annoying Vinny." he replies, "However, I felt it was warrented. . .but I have to admit it's hypocritical." he says tugging his new clothes, "Would you like to know where I got these fine clothes?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She sighs. "Look Tommy, I'm sorry I fucked your girlfriend. She didn't exactly tell me no though so I'll let you two deal with your relationship and I'm not planning on sleeping with either of y'all. K? Especially after that stunt she pulled."
She sighs at Vinny, shoving out a chair for him to sit at. "Yes, it is. You better not be here to tell me off again dude or Ima take you outside so I can kick your ass for real. I don't care you're my bestie, let me do this without trying to pry over my shoulder."
She looks it over for a solid 2 seconds. "Men's warehouse, you bribed the teller, he's realizing right about now that the watches are fake."
Tommy Shanks:
"Bonita, my darling, I know more about changes than anything else. It's part of my whole thing. I'm not saying you're not allowed to change. I just... It's not that you slept with my girlfriend. It's that she played to your god damn addiction. I nearly burned her for it."
She sighed, and jus started drinking the coffee, steaming hot or not.
"It's... dude. I don't know. Maybe I should just give up."
Vincent Drake:
"Wait you-", he stops himself, not wanting to get into Titania drama. . .he'll yell at her next session, "Nevermind," he says sitting, "No. . .I got these clothes from my sugar mommy, my ghoul." he fully admits to having one, "I thought about it and your right, I was being unfair and-" then a words clicks, "Titania did what to her addiction?" he says. . .words filled with the most cold rage Bones had heard from him
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val takes a deep breath. She lets a bit of the mask drop and shows she's fearful and in pain and is lashing out. "She made me watch as she poured out some of her Vitae. I pressed the wrong button and triggered her, she apologized after and talked to me a bit but...fuck it sucked."
She looks away and spies the menu, burying her attention in it.
Daniel Hawthorne:
The universe has an amusing sense of humor, it seemed, as right at that moment the portal did as portals do and Daniel emerged into the diner, stopping short as he spotted the trio and the rage practically washing off of Vincent. While he dressed neatly as a matter of course on this particular evening the Haunt was in a full suit, well-tailored as always and a set of bronze-framed sunglasses rounding out the ensemble.
"Something up?" He inquired, looking between the Kindred and the still-living with muscles coiled in case he needed to step in between them.
Tommy Shanks:
"Yeah... and she felt terrible after. She was ... not her normal self for a while. She's really trying, but she's had hundreds of years of forced training to be a weapon and demon-witch, honestly, and she wants to be nicer... and I still almost made the largest bonfire I could..."
Then a glance to Daniel, "Oh, Hey, Daniel. Sorry I haven't called about a suit yet."
Vincent Drake:
Vincent breathes, collecting himself, "I'm trying to say I'm sorry, but it seems my point has been proven, that being said, I'll stop treating you like a kid, but I won't stop being worried."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"I know Guy talked to her...and now I know what she looks like. Ima make all our lives easier and just avoid her." A look to Vinny. "She lied to me that she was the Titania you were talking about. I asked about it so...dunno."
There's a deep breath as she nods to a waiter, getting blueberry waffles.
"But yeah, just don't treat me like a kid. I don't appreciate it Vin. I wanna still be friends, please. Have some level of normalcy still." She looks back, waving to Daniel, not knowing him.
Tommy Shanks:
"...I'm sorry for treating you both like kids," she says in realization. Then she pours more burning hot liquid into her mug before drinking it
Daniel Hawthorne:
"No worries, life happens." He replied, coming into proper conversation range now that thing seemed to be calming down. He asked for a cup of coffee for himself before the server got too far, giving Val a nod in return for the wave. "Hey. Daniel Hawthorne, good to meet you."
The mention of the elder Gangrel made his eyebrow arch, glancing at a seat with a 'may I?' look before continuing. "Should I even ask..."
Vincent Drake:
Vincent nods to the newcomer then realizes, "Wait. . .Val, how do you know Bones?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val motions to the seat across from her for Daniel.
"You can ask if you want. You can call me Ria."
Val jabs a thumb towards Bones. "You know how Mom was always at the hospital and Dad was in the army. Thom- Bones was my babysitter growing up. Small world."
Tommy Shanks:
"Tommy," she corrected automatically, "SHe knew Tommy, before he went to school. This Tommy, and this Val, are still getting to know each other. And she experienced Bones once."
THey scooched for Daniel to take a seat. She took another drink of the coffee. "As I've been reminded, people change, and I don't know this Val yet."
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel took the offered seat, adjusting his glasses but keeping them on for the moment as he got settled. "Coming across friends after a long time apart is always interesting, especially with some of the changes those like us go through."
Vincent Drake:
"Your babysitter. . .fuck, I asked out your babysitter," he gives a sad chuckle, "That as to be against the friend code or something," he mutters, "So, you met an albino spooky witch and that did not seem to be the Titania I mentioned, first of all I would like to ask where all the other Titania's are." he laughed, "One question, did you mention my name before the encounter." he asks, it's not self centered to assume she did this to get to him, because that would be a Titania move
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Fuck, sorry. Tommy. Didn't mean to deadname ya." She looks a bit confused at the third person but doesn't press. "Tommy knows a bit about the drugs. If it helps Tommy, this scoundrel was the person to sit me down and break me out of everything."
Val nods to Daniel's assessment....and suddenly cackles. "Oh my god, Vinny you did WHAT? Tommy is that true?" She has to stop herself laughing before she answers Vinny's question, going a bit quiet. "Lets....not talk about that...unless Tommy is ok with it?" She makes sure to use their name as much as possible to remind themselves.
Tommy Shanks:
"I'm still Thomas wiht Papi and Professionally, I'm also Tommy, which is easier depending on how I look. You didn't dead name me, Bonita, I am not upset," she smiled and lifted her mug.
"As for Titania, I repeat, she can fuck whoever, you can fuck whoever. I can fuck whoever. My problem was the dripping blood part. I know she's a monster, I know she does things that are horrendous to others. The one rule was not to do it to me and mine, and she very heavily bent the rule, nearly to the point of breaking. We spoke, I'm better, other than all the mental shifts related to it."
"And yes, Vincent asked me out. Vincent has even fed on me. I like how the Kiss feels. I am happy to provide aid, because I can heal myself and it costs nothing for me."
"I've even drank vampire blood, not knowing what it does," she finally says bluntly, "And I'm pretty sure I'm partially bound, not too dissimilarly as you, Valeria. So yes. I know a lot of what's going on, and it's just taking a lot to figure out where I am. Plus there's the Robocop assholes, there's the dreams, and many other things..."
And then she scrubbed her face a little and ordered another pot of coffee.
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel went stock still as the conversation continued in a way that only the dead truly could, with the only movement coming from his breathing thanks to the Blush and his thumb idly rubbing the side of his finger on his right hand. He snapped back to the now when the server dropped off his coffee, giving her a nod before doctoring it with a small dose of sugar. "Sounds like you've all had an interesting time of things lately." He finally added, looking towards the trio. "Hope it evens out going forward."
Vincent Drake:
"I doubt it will," vincent replies to Daniel, "But if things go to shit I always seem to bounce back." he comments, before turning to Bones and Val, "And that date canceled when she found out just how scummy I am and I doubt her blood will ever be on the menu again," he says chuckling, "But yes, I recommend keeping away from Titania, I'll bear the brunt of it for both of us prehaps?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val thanks the waitress as her waffles get dropped off.
"Ah fuck, you drank her blood? Thats....alright...I just had my second from Guy after the whole Titania thing cause I was hitting withdrawals." An eye flick to Vinny at that bit. "But yeah, all in all I won't go near Titania again...it just fucking sucked cause I was tempted and I can't get that out of my head. Guy told me how I can't get more of those kinda bonds after my third drink though so..."
Tommy Shanks:
"Sorry Daniel, I'm being rude. You don't need all our drama in your lap. You came for coffee and conversation," she made up her drink this time, rather than drinking it steaming and black.
"You are still my friend, Vincent. My blood is always on the menu, if need be. Same with Daniel here. And Titania is trying. Trying. Doesn't mean she'll succeed every time... " some of the lights in the room, and some of the flames being used to cook dim and then flare, "But she's trying, you know? More than some out there. I'm sorry on her behalf for you two. Also mad on your behalves."
Her gaze drifted to look at the foggy forest in the distance.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val was about to respond when her phone starts going off in her pocket. She glances outside and grimaces. "Hey Ima step out for a second. Esta mi madre, lemme make sure its nothing at the hospital."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"It's alright, I'm the one who butted in on your conversation." He replied with a small smile, the moment of discomfort gone as quickly as it came. He looked to Val at her comment, taking a sip of his coffee as he debated over chiming in, although her departure answered that question for him. Another time, perhaps.
"The longer one lives the harder it is to break habits, so I do have to applaud her for trying. I've been doing my best to avoid that, although I'm only a decade out myself, but it's worth doing now rather than later."
Tommy Shanks:
"Ten years? This one is a few weeks," her finger hooked towards Vincent.
"Though I did have questions when it comes to your tailoring. Do you think it's possible to put highly reinforced kevlar or whatever the modern is inside of a tweed suit? Someone mentioned that to me the other day and I didn't think it possible, without magic."
Vincent Drake:
"I like to think I have 'youthful charm'," he comments at the fact he's so new
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Call steps out for just a minute, then back in.
"She wanted to know if I wanted dinner at her place, but I'm already here so. She says hi by the way Tommy. And you're welcome for food at any point."
Tommy Shanks:
"I'll try for Sunday after Church," she muses.
And at that point, she piqued a brow and seemed to be distracted by something... her own phone call of sorts, just happening purely mentally/digitally at present. (afk a few)
Daniel Hawthorne:
"You can, yes. I've received requests for reinforced clothing before and it's not too hard to do. Could even hunt down the proper fabric for the whole suit if you're interested, although it won't be cheap."
"Youthful charm only goes so far, as I assume you're starting to find out." He replied to Vincent with a small smirk, nodding to Val when she returned. "Welcome back."
Vincent Drake:
"Actually I've been finding that luck seems to be infatuated with me." he grins, "But I don't want to fly too close to the sun."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val slides back into her seat. "You make reinforced clothing? I...should probably get something like that."
She smiles over at Vinny. "Youthful charm? Is that what we are calling it now? But will agree, this one has always had a lucky streak."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Luck never lasts forever, good or bad. Just keep your eyes out and you should be alright."
"I haven't lately but I can. Little on the pricier side but I give friends and family discounts." He said with a small smile, taking a sip of his coffee. "Take it that Guy brought you in recently?"
Tommy Shanks:
"I definitely like having suits and dresses that fit. It's hard to find stuff that fits both, or can adapt. So I'm starting to make like... two closets worth of fashion!"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val nods. "Unfortunatly not the richest person, but yeah. I um...got shot right before New Years. Guy was luckily there before I bled out."
She nods to Tommy. "I can probably go through my closets. I know I have some old stuff in there...maybe some of it will fit you, hermana."
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel nodded quietly, moving his hand in a slicing motion across his neck. "Had something similar happen on my end, although my 'rescuer'" and Lord could you hear the air quotes on that word "took the full plunge. I know how harrowing that can be."
Tommy Shanks:
"Shit on a stick, times two," tommy replied.
SHe drank more of her coffee, "Papi says hi, by the way, Val."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods. "Yeah...Guy's a gem. He made sure I knew what was happening and everything. We had a long talk after. Now it's more of...well...I'm still addicted to Vitae, but he's helping me make a difference too. That's always been something I've wanted."
She smiles at Tommy's mention. "Hola Señor Shanks. Take care!" Then she noticed Tommy didn't have any earbuds in, and an eyebrow rose.
Tommy Shanks:
"I can clear the addiction, but not the binding, if you'd like, Bonita," she offered softly.
"Also, magic. I didn't feel like changing anything, so I used magic to replicate my phone signal and ... let's just say it makes things easier sometimes."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She immedietlyv turns to Tommy. "I'm sorry you can do what? Like... just like that?"
She sits there for a second, looking just... entirely mystified, thinking, debating. "How does it work?"
Tommy Shanks:
"Easier if I touch you. ANd then... it's gone."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val sits there for a moment, amazed. "I...fuck. That easy? I wish I had you around when I was doing rehab..."
All her troubles, gone, just like that? "Whats the catch?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel looked just as sharply at Tommy about that little tidbit, although he remained quiet for the moment. He knew all too well what Awakened magic could do, after all, but would dipping twice from that well tempt fate?
Tommy Shanks:
"You can always reform the addiction. And there's a chance it could punch me in the nose as I do it. It isn't as easy for me as other things that I do."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She pulls out her phone. "I...yeah. Gimme a few to think about it? Will ya?"
Tommy Shanks:
"Anytime. I can probably even do it from home, if you text me or whatever. Just makes it heavier to lift. Doable, but heavier," she said before sipping her cup and looking to Daniel, "You seem like you either have questions or something to add."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"More the former. I've experienced some of what you and yours can do first hand, but I wasn't aware that you could relieve someone of their addictions like that as well. How long can that last?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val shoots off a text, and a moment later responds. "How's it gonna hit me when I go back for another drink? Is it just going to rebound worse?"
Tommy Shanks:
"Initially? Seconds. With a little effort, hours or days. A little extra, and it's permanent, until you risk it again."
"You would be completely clear of the addiction. Not rehab clear, but like, clear. SO it'd be like the first time all over again. If I need to do it every so often, I can even ask for a way to make it easier."
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel nodded quietly, taking a sip of his coffee as he thought on the matter. "There would always be a risk of regaining it, especially if you want to remain empowered as you are. Definitely something to consider."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She sends off another text. "Permanent...fuck. Even if its not the Vitae...can you do that for like...coke, alcohol, all that stuff?"
Tommy Shanks:
"Yes."
Daniel Hawthorne:
The Haunt looked...conflicted was a good word for it, watching the conversation between the pair with something clearly on his mind. "I will always be impressed at what you and yours can accomplish..."
Tommy Shanks:
"Obviously, it becomes a major issue. Can't do it for the public at large, can't do it too publicly, all of that. But yeah ... And yet, there's bad guys that do the same and more, and might be working with other bad guys."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Was going to say, broadcasting that you're able to do so might not go over well, even with the local court here being very ghoul-friendly in comparison to others I've been in." He nodded quietly. "It's quite the carrot to dangle."
Tommy Shanks:
"I don't know of a way to break the way the blood makes you feel. Just the literal addiction part."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Some might appreciate that relief, short lived though it may be."
Tommy Shanks:
A bob of her head, "But... I think I should be going. Papi was asking for me to come home and help with some things."
She crawled out the back of the booth, and to the main floor area so Daniel didn't have to move, before paying off the tabs of the table and heading out.
Daniel Hawthorne:
He smirked a touch as she went around him to get out of the booth, lifting his coffee cup in a small salute. "Have a good night, and feel free to call when you want to come by for a fitting."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val continues texting for a solid minute. "Uh hey Tommy, I'll swing by later. I think this is something I wanna sleep on."
She smiles as the tab is paid, Tommy is great, then turns to Daniel.
"So...what um...Clan and Covenant are you? Those are the words, yeah?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"That's it, yep." He nodded with a small smile, inquiring with a passing server about getting his coffee topped up before continuing. "Nosferatu and Ordo Dracul, respectively."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods. "I know Guy is uh...Ordo Dracul too. That's not something I can join though, not that I think I mind. Its only been like 2 weeks and..." theres a breath and a look, "its been two weeks, ya know?"
She looks back at her waffles, taking a bite. "I don't know all that much about the Nosferatu though."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I understand, yeah. It's a lot to take in at once." He eyed her meal for a moment, briefly pondering ordering something himself before deciding against it. "Where the Gangrel are centered around the Beast and our wilder natures, the Nosferatu focus on fear, empowered by it and able to use it to our own ends. On the light end the curse of our blood manifests as a feeling that something is just off, a shiver that runs down your back and sends you to the other side of the room. For others it has a more physical mark, myself included."
He motioned to his neck briefly. "The wound that killed me only half-healed when I was Embraced, and it was only through one of Bones' contemporaries that the manifestation of it was changed. It's a little easier to deal with now, but it's still there."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods along, eating before her food got cold.
"Yeah he told me about the like...beastly side of Gangrel...he's rather terrifying too when he wants to be. I respect it. Glad one of the wizards could help you out though."
She offers a smile. "You seem nice enough though, I'd rather come hang out then head to the other side of the room. I do have what my mom always calls an 'adventurous streak' though."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"As am I. I have a healthy respect for what they're capable of because of it."
"Thank you. I try." He replied with a smile of his own. "It has a stronger effect on those who haven't been touched by the supernatural in some way, admittedly, but being adventurous isn't a bad thing."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods along, biting her lip.
"You said your uh...regnant was complicated earlier... right? Care if I ask some personal questions?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Ask away."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She bites her lip, slightly chapped with the cold weather.
"I know the blood bond is strong. Hell...I can feel it and have been feeling it this whole time. How do I know what to watch for that I'm not letting the bond fuck me over? Vinny send to think im already being abused or something and... well it doesn't feel like that."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Knowing Guy, that's certainly not the case." He sat back in the seat, watching her for a moment. "As far as the bond itself, though, it makes you want to please them, be with them, obsess over them. You can resist it, although as the bond strengthens that gets harder to do; once it hits that final stage it's almost painful to think about taking an action against them, let alone go through with it."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods. "Makes sense...I'm glad you think hes a good dude too. Most people seem to think that which is good. He treats me well, makes sure I'm alright, all that jazz."
She shifts in her seat. "Yeah...I guess I already feel like that a bit. Like little things of 'what can I do to help him' or things like that?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Sounds about right for the second step." He nodded quietly. "You still have your own autonomy under the bond, but he will become a large focus of your life, likely to the detriment of other things. My last relationship before I was Embraced ended in part because of it, because I couldn't be there for her when he needed me and I couldn't explain to her why."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods, not seeming that bothered at first, then the flick of some worry. "Mmm yeah that's fair. Sorry about the relationship. Luckily I'm not at the point of dating someone right now, just hook ups."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Appreciate it. On some level it's almost better it happened that way, honestly, since I would have had to break it off once I was Embraced regardless."
"Something on your mind?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods. "Noted. I'll stick to hook ups then."
She taps her foot, wondering how much to share with a stranger. "Yeah a little bit. Just uh...someone in my life im worried about not helping out. He needs the extra hand sometimes."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Ah. Don't see why you wouldn't be able to, although it may not cross your mind as often."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods. "Cool...yeah all that. Any other advice getting into all this?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"As you seem to have found out with a certain Crone, some of us have tempers and/or prickly egos. Keep an eye out for moments when those arise so you know what buttons not to press going forward. Also, avoid direct eye contact with Kindred you don't know or trust; one of the Disciplines we have access to allows them to command your actions if they can look you in the eye."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods along. "I have my own temper, and um, not gonna like I get truama responses. Ill avoid things I catch."
Theres a bit of a worry, immedietly breaking the eye contact she'd been keeping, and slowly reestablishing it. "Got it, thanks for that one especially. I had no clue. Which one is that?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
He smirked a touch as she suddenly looked away, giving her a respectful nod and an 'atta girl' look when she turned her gaze back to him. "Dominate, fittingly enough. It's more common among the Ventrue, but others can learn it as well."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She bit her lip, not sure how she felt about the atta girl look. She almost wish she'd known sooner...but hey she didnt. Ok time to keep talking Val.
"Dominate, got it. I have uh...Vigor and Resilience from Guy. Makes me feel cool but nothing earth shattering...frankly thats probably a good thing. I'm not in the public spotlight anymore but that doesn't stop locals from recognizing me."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I've studied the latter myself, and it's definitely helpful. The physical Disciplines can become more noticeable over time as you progress in them, though, as they enhance your baseline capabilities. I'm guessing you've noticed that you've gotten stronger as of late even without tapping into the Vitae?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods. "And the pain isn't as bad as it used to be. And if I try, even without Vitae, I can get a pretty decent jump in. More than I could before and...well I'm a gymnast."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Sounds about right. Those enhancements can push past human norms as you keep going, which has its ups and downs. Something to keep an eye on as you go."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Im already pretty strong, so yeah, don't wanna attract too much attention. I'll be careful. Last thing I think Guy... or any of the Kindred need is someone recording me for being a badass and the wrong people finding me."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Indeed. We keep the attention of the mortal world off of us for very good reasons, and the fewer breaches there the better."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"I figured...I mean I never even knew about this stuff until he Ghouled me. Ive tried to be careful."
She looks at her empty plate, already paid for by Tommy. "I should probably head home soon, thank you for the chat, this was a wonderful first time here."
She picks up her leather jacket from the back of the chair. "Take care Daniel, have a good night."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"You're welcome." He took a moment to pull a business card from his wallet and offered it to her, the front giving the name and contact information for the design studio he owned and a second number written on the back in immaculate penmanship. "Feel free to give me a call any time, although I may not pick up if it's before sunset for obvious reasons." He added with a smile. "Have a good rest of your night."
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