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Alexander Tarek:
The evening was relatively young, with plenty of folks out on the town enjoying themselves after work and all that. One such passerby had emerged from one of the more demure bars in the area, dressed sharply in an all-black ensemble but still able to become one with the crowd with ease. Alexander's sharp gaze scanned those around him as he walked, his pace leisurely but with purpose.
Vincent Drake:
Vincent was out and about, always searching for some sign or someone, he's met so many people who have proven helpful that he's sure the streets themselves guide him some nights, currently though he was not Vincent, well not looking like Vincent. Ever since he learned how to twist and warp his flesh, he's been out as animal and in different human shapes, he's come to view them as suits, tonight he was wearing a blond young man, early twenties with a look that said 'camp counciler', sun kissed skin and an athletic body, his own brown eyes all the remained. He was dressed in jeans and a black top and was just sitting on a bench watching the crowds go by, but as he and Alexander got closer, the Beasts growled as they do.
Alexander Tarek:
The stirring of the Beast within caused his pace to slow just a touch, dark eyes casually looking over the crowd for a potentially familiar face to go with it. Not spotting one off-hand he continued on, a note of wariness in his stride but otherwise keeping casual.
Vincent Drake:
Vincent did notice Alexander and fought back a chuckle, getting up and following him. If he was able to follow a vampire without him noticing, then his skill would be improving wouldn't they.
Alexander Tarek:
If Alexander spotted Vincent he made no sign of it, continuing down the sidewalk and eventually turning the corner. He didn't seem to be heading anywhere in particular, simply taking in the night and what came with it.
Vincent Drake:
Vincent continued to follow, just acting like a face in the crowd, he did look for a place to change to normal, cause let's face it shapeshifting is a power you want to hold close to your chest after all. Eventually he found a rest room to head into and came back out looking like himself, when he saw Alexander he walked over and tapped his shoulder.
"Nice night for a walk ain't it?"
Alexander Tarek:
It honestly took quite a bit to surprise Alexander, but that tap on the shoulder certainly seemed to do the trick. The Shadow turned sharply at the unexpected contact, a flicker of irritation flitting across his features until he recognized who had done the tapping. "Indeed, Mister Drake." He replied, his features smoothing back out to their normal calm expression as the moment passed. "The night finds you well, I hope?"
Vincent Drake:
Vincent hands immediately went up in surrender, "Sorry, sorry, didn't mean to startle ya," he said quickly, like someone who got caught with his hands going towards a wallet, "no disrespect or anything meant, I'm just on one of my people watching walks, Phillies won today so I'm in a very good mood, yes."
Alexander Tarek:
"None taken. One should be careful of who they touch unawares, however; their reaction could be far worse than mine."
"I was beginning to do something similar myself as my business for the evening has concluded. Have you seen anything of interest?"
Vincent Drake:
"Well, I saw a proposal, don't see that too often, someone got caught pick pocketing," he listed off with his fingers, "of interest, everything interesting so it's varying degree's of interest, out of the usual or useful, not so much, just a regular night in Philadelphia." he gave a boyish smile, "care to join me on my walk?"
Alexander Tarek:
He nodded, making an 'after you' motion with his hands before matching his pace as they continued. "I do enjoy catching those small moments, the snippets of life you only see if you're in the right place at the right time."
Vincent Drake:
"Sometimes I would just sit in a diner booth alone and listen to the people around me, some where intresting, some where boring, some turned a profit," ah yes, blackmail, "Life is just as intresting as the movies, ya just have to look, with so many people in one area, their are millions of tiny plots going around, for all we know, we just passed by a person out to kill a whole crime family for stealing their car and hurting their pet, and we would never know."
Avery Frisk:
Fwap fwap tink. A raven lands above Vincent on a metal railing, distinctive white feathers.
Yes I'm being cute and Avery is being overprotective.
Alexander Tarek:
Alexander's gaze flitted upward at the sound of Avery's landing, eyeing the raven for a moment before giving it a nod and looking back to Vincent. "That would be something, wouldn't it." He replied, a small smirk coming and going from his face.
"I've done similarly, sitting in a coffee shop or the like and observing the lives around me. Seeing each strand of the tapestry as it weaves its way into the world is always enlightening, watching the grander image form with each passing evening."
Vincent Drake:
Vinny didn't even have to look, an finger went to nuzzle and pet the bird, giving scritches under it's beak.
"I like to interfer myself," he smirked, dude with a pet raven, sure why not it's Philly, land of Gritty, "Sometimes if the story I'm hearing is spicy enough, someone's a jackass enough, I'll peek in and muck about, something something best revenge against your dad and all that."
Alexander Tarek:
"To each their own. Sometimes one must let things happen rather than interfere, though; tribulation brings strength, as we tend to say."
Vincent Drake:
"I only step in if it seems like it's something that, no one steps in and something bad happens, the majority I just listen," he shrugged, "Tribulation does indeed bring strength, I've seen that firsthand."
Avery Frisk:
Avery croons and then elects to fly off again. Not far of course.
Alexander Tarek:
He gave a nod, looking Vincent over. "How do those revelations find you now?"
Vincent Drake:
"If you mean Tribulation, I'm refering to much more mundane shit, from when I still worked a dayshift."
Alexander Tarek:
"I see," another nod, followed by a brief glance at a passing couple holding hands and smiling at each other. "What sort of tribulations did you face then?"
Vincent Drake:
"Well, let's try for truama bingo, my parent's where neglectful on their good days, abusive on their bad, ran away with my sister when I was fourteen, does that count as kidnapping, watched my best friend suffer through drug abuse, before I met Maria I was living in an abandoned building, I call it living cause I stole enough shit that is was damn find quality squating, you find and abandonded aparment and furnish it, it's pretty liveable....just need to work out electricty and plumbing."
Alexander Tarek:
"Quite the rough life that you've had." He offered. "What lessons would you say that it's taught you?"
Vincent Drake:
"Several, that the world is cruel, that nothing is given to ya and you need to take what you can get, family is everything, not by blood but by deeds, and that the City is the ultimate provider, ten years I've been on the streets and I've survived because they fed me, when I was cold their was a shelter, when I was hungry their was a sucker with a fat wallet, my sister's now in college," he said, smiling brightly, "and I'm living in a penthouse with two of the most enchanting creatures in the world, life's working out just fine."
Alexander Tarek:
"It is good that things have turned around for you. Riding such waves of fortune, both highs and lows, is a skill that one must hone as the years progress lest you be caught in the tide."
Vincent Drake:
"I imagine I'll be riding larger waves in the future now that I'm in the club," he chuckled, "To be honest, I'm glad I'm a member, my fortunes have been improving since I was given access, I'm still mad I wasn't given notice ahead of time and I don't think that anger will ever subside, but I've been introduced to a side of the city I've never known, I'm happy to be what I am." he said, giving a smile that just seemed....at ease, was it disturbing he seems much happier undead, well that's for you dear reader to decide.
Alexander Tarek:
"Most likely. Having the advantage of time to plan and secure one's place in the world is a boon that can't be looked down upon." He nodded, smiling a touch himself. "It does seem to suit you, I will say that."
Vincent Drake:
he looked at him, honestly stared him down for a second before giving a smirk and tired sigh, "I though ya'll where taking bets on how long untill I'm dust," he admitted, "I may or may not have been running on spite for the past half year."
Alexander Tarek:
"Some may be, perhaps. On my part I've been more curious to see how you would adapt to being thrust into your current position. There were some early mistakes, of course, but you've learned what you need to from those lessons and have continued accordingly."
Vincent Drake:
"Thanks, I'm trying to move on from being the disaster, honestly, alot of it I think comes down to my partners, without them, don't think I'd be standing here right now, and I mean that literally with Avery, had a run in with some Owls and got out thanks to them." he said a tad hushed to Alexander
Alexander Tarek:
"Best of luck to you. First impressions are hard to shake, even when one can be around for quite some time." He leaned in a bit at the hushed words, giving a nod. "Indeed. I haven't heard of any signs of them returning, although I have kept an ear out."
Vincent Drake:
"I mean, after I heard what exactly they are, that's a fucking feather in my cap ain't in, surviving that, and doing some snooping on the bad number, but nooooo, let's just focus on the faults." he laughed
Alexander Tarek:
"It is impressive, yes. I can't say that I've faced them directly myself, but I've heard enough about them to know that I'd rather not have been in your shoes."
Vincent Drake:
"So, now I'm curious, Leila's mentioned siblings and got me wondering," he looked over Alexander, "Let me guess a year, please, cause you seem more adjusted then others who are older."
Alexander Tarek:
A ghost of a smirk flickered across his face at the query, accompanied by a light chuckle. "You may guess, but I may not answer."
Vincent Drake:
he looked him over, "I'm going to say....was introduced to society....1645, hot or cold?"
Alexander Tarek:
"Very cold."
Vincent Drake:
"I'm going to guess one of these days," he shacked his head, "So, is the need to bring people in...is that like an instinct I'm going to feel one day, or was it just a you thing?"
Alexander Tarek:
"It varies from person to person. Some wish to amass a number of loyal followers through more portent methods, others to try and fill a hole that the loss of another left. In my case it was to preserve something worthwhile, to allow it to progress through the years unhindered."
Vincent Drake:
"I think....if I find someone who cares about this city as much as I do....but that would be years in the future," he waved his hand, "Like, a century, I have enough on my plate dealing with myself."
Alexander Tarek:
"Indeed. Make sure your own house is settled before bringing others into it."
Vincent Drake:
"Can I admit something to you, in confidence," he said, "I only mentioned this to another person once...but to be honest I barely know you but I feel I should mention this to someone on our side, Leila trusts you so that's enough for me, what I'm going to share keep to yourself, but it's an idea I should run by....one of ours."
Alexander Tarek:
He looked Vincent over for a moment at that, seeming to take the young Daeva's measure before nodding. "Go ahead."
Vincent Drake:
"So...a few month ago Avery was having some....feelings, working through some things and thought that some day in the future they'd want....a family," he sat down and looked around, they walked to a more isolated section so he began to speak freely, "I...at first I told them how sorry I was that I couldn't, but then it dawned on me, the Mages have always shown time and again how they pull shit off, and once Bones offered to make me able to walk in the sun, to somehow pull some time shit to make me how I was before I was turned....so me and Avery....well, what if I can be human for a few hours and we can.....try."
Alexander Tarek:
Alexander went quiet at that, the gears visibly turning in the Shadow's mind. "Asking for such a boon may have a heavy price tag, if it's possible at all. Do you trust the one that made the offer?"
Vincent Drake:
"Yes, more then I trust the majority of our society," he said frankly, "I have my own rapport with the individual, I count them among the closest friends....and I want to be able to do that for, with Avery sometime years in our future, when our shit is together and we're safe....but for one of us.....is it wrong to want something that....normal?"
Alexander Tarek:
"I imagine there are others who would take up the chance as well, although I will admit I am not one of them. Bringing a living child into the world serves the same purpose as the Embrace, in some respects: a continuation of one's legacy and their lineage, someone to help grow and change with the world around them."
Vincent Drake:
"But the Embrace makes another monster, not a actual child, I could never be there for them when the sun is up, they'll wonder why their father is only around at night, why he looks so young....sure their other parent would be Lost, third mom a Mafia Queen really...what I'm saying is, embracing a 20 something or older is diffrent from raising an actual kid."
Alexander Tarek:
"Very much so, yes. The logistics would be complicated at best, as you say, and there would be questions asked and decisions to make. To answer your earlier question, I would not call it 'wrong' to wish for such, there are just many things to keep in mind about taking that step."
Vincent Drake:
"Exactly why we both think we need to both be more mature before we consider, but they do want it, I've seen the way they look when we talked about it...I want to be the person who would do that for them, I just...this city has more stable community then most....and knowing Avery's connection the whole Freehold would go warcry, I just....I don't want to do wrong by anyone, especially my own kid...hypothetically."
Alexander Tarek:
"Understandable. I haven't had many dealings with the local Lost so I can't speak on their temperment on such things, but that would be something to look into as well."
Vincent Drake:
"I wonder if the Lance would go 'heresy' at the idea of me having a normal kid." he chuckled, finding some humor in the conversation
Alexander Tarek:
"It wouldn't surprise me." He replied with a small chuckle of his own. "God's wolves have a tendency to butt their way into matters that don't involve them at an impressive rate."
Vincent Drake:
"I wasn't a fan of the Cross in life, and I'll admit that's painted bias against them" he looked to the night sky, "Why did you go Crone, I know you're all a collection of cults, what's your brand of divinity, if you dont' mind me asking?"
Alexander Tarek:
"I follow the Egyptian pantheon, as my sire did before me, with Thoth as my primary patron. The written word and the power therein has always been important to me, and his wisdom has helped me greatly over the years."
Vincent Drake:
"So it's a whole brood ain't it," he chuckled, recalling Leila's devotion to the Egyptian gods, "Is their some blood ritual to do to keep the personal shit I told ya to yourself, cause ya know, could be used against me and all that." he shrugged, but a smile still on his face
Alexander Tarek:
"The Shadows keep their secrets. You have nothing to fear."
Vincent Drake:
"Ya know, I wasn't given the briefing on you guys, I understand my own, I know the Gangrel are like, wild savagry incarnate, so what's the Mekhet?"
Alexander Tarek:
"We are the quiet ones, the watchers and listeners. We are here but not, finding home in the shadows around you." An amusing statement from a man who cast no shadow himself? Perhaps. "We know things, and those who wish to learn those things must have something to offer in kind."
Vincent Drake:
"Well, I gave you something pretty fucking personal, what does that get me?" he asked bemused
Alexander Tarek:
"Someone who knows the value of such a secret and thus will not let it slip that easily." He offered with a small smirk of his own.
Vincent Drake:
Vincent laughed at that, "I like the cut of your jib." he said simply, "Fair enough, had to admit, was surprised Leila was your...daughter, that an appropriate word of it?"
Alexander Tarek:
"A fitting term, yes. She was my first in quite some time, but her worth showed itself as something to be preserved."
Vincent Drake:
"I'm equally surprised I turned out to be a touchstone...kinda feel bad for friendzoning her."
Alexander Tarek:
"How so?"
Vincent Drake:
"Like, if I was a touchstone, that's like a humanity keeping connection, I could tell she had feelings I'm not blind, but I don't think....well, I don't think another vampire would do wonders for Humanity, and I know she wants to increase Cruac which will just tear that apart, ya know?"
Alexander Tarek:
He thought a moment before nodding. "It does impinge on one's connection to their former humanity, that is true. I was inquiring more as what you meant by friendzoning in this particular case."
Vincent Drake:
"Oh....oh...." he blinked and was suddenly reminded he was talking to her dad, "I said how I thought we would work best as just friends."
Alexander Tarek:
A ghost of a smile flickered across his face at Vincent's response, nodding quietly. "Understandable, since you have your own paramours already."
Vincent Drake:
"Paramours?" he looked at Alexander for a bit, like how old is this guy "I have partners yes, but like, I don't think another vampire would be good for me right now all things considered, Avery and Maria, they help keep me grounded because they aren't like us, that make sense?"
Alexander Tarek:
"It does, yes."
Vincent Drake:
"Good," he smiled, "I'll help her through thick and thin, but I don't think we would do wonders for eachother's humanity."
Alexander Tarek:
"Time will tell on that front, I imagine."
Vincent Drake:
"I guess it will, living with two touchstones helps alot." he chuckled
Alexander Tarek:
"That it does. Hold them close while you have them, as long as that may be."
Vincent Drake:
"Do you think their's a point, when someone loses themself where it's a public service to put them down?" he asked, looking up the sky
Alexander Tarek:
He paused briefly at the question, looking Vincent over before answering. "If one falls so far from their humanity that they only serve to cause harm to others, I would say yes. Why do you ask?"
Vincent Drake:
"Well, I was just thinking, in this city, in this wonderful city more then anyother, we're more interconnected with the other groups, we're what we are, we're not easy to trust on a good day, I think keeping our humanity at a good level is more so then anywhere else, a public benefit, we can't go around raging and almost killing people now could we, eventually we'll be seen as more trouble then we are worth?"
Alexander Tarek:
"I would agree there, yes, although I am curious where your train of thought is going on this front..."
Vincent Drake:
"The Community is always at the forefront of my mind, and I don't just consider our group, I'm concerned for the Lost, the Mages, everyone in between, the more I think I need to protect it, the more I'm finding, ok, but what about this scenario, anything can happen, ya know when your mind races and you think of like, fifty things a minute?"
Alexander Tarek:
"I follow you, yes. Be wary of stretching yourself too thin over issues that haven't arisen yet, however."
Vincent Drake:
"I know, I know," he chuckled, "I'm focused on a particular area, don't worry, I'm just....if I'm not thinking on something I'll go crazy and it's just reassuring our kind are on top of that sorta thing."
Alexander Tarek:
"Fair enough. The leadership here is swift to act against those who cause trouble from what I've seen, or they allow those who have been wronged to deal with the matter as they see fit."
Vincent Drake:
"How long have you lived in Philly, I'm finding more and more that the majority of us are not Philly natives."
Alexander Tarek:
"I arrived here in 1987 after a period of eclipse in Miami at the behest of a friend and found it a suitable place to remain."
Vincent Drake:
"Holy shit, you where in Miami in the 80's, how much do you remember?" he joked
Alexander Tarek:
"A fair bit." He chuckled in quiet amusement. "I arrived there in the early 1950s after the war and went into eclipse not long after, so seeing what the city had developed into over that time was quite impressive."
Vincent Drake:
"I swear, if I go to sleep for a century and wake up and find we have megabuildings, cybernetics, and the whole East Coast is a megacity, I'm going to scream that I missed out on that shit."
Alexander Tarek:
"Perhaps, but we tend to be more adaptable upon waking than you would expect."
Vincent Drake:
"Can't wait for mega-cities." he grinned
Alexander Tarek:
"That will be interesting, I agree there. The world is already so interconnected digitally that following course in the physical realm is a natural progression."
Vincent Drake:
"Yes," vinny looked at him wide eyed, "Exactly, something happens in New York, it effects the whole thing, highways are the artieries, each City is just a node, it's only natural we treat it like one entity ain't it?"
Alexander Tarek:
"One could say such, yes. Humanity was never meant to survive in a bubble, no matter how some groups may have tried to close themselves off from the rest over time."
Vincent Drake:
"Exactly," he nodded, "I should get going, nights are short and I need to get home or Avery would worry."
Alexander Tarek:
"Have a good evening, Mister Drake."
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