Dinner at Praeco's....

Reese could smell the cooking.  She debated if she should join everyone in the dining room or not.  Simon might be there.  He was angry enough that she was sure he'd kill her if he were given the chance.  She could not puzzle out what had made Simon so angry.

Was it how closely I was dealing with the Tower?  Was it the talk of diablerie?  Was it the fact that I said something about Xaviar?  What was the touchy subject?

Reese shrugs and decides to give it a go, anyhow.  She slips into the room,  "Smells good."

Simon hops down off the counter he was sitting on, "Well, I am out of 'ere.  Pleasure seeing you all."

Reese watches as he gives her a half nod, his discomfort obvious as he leaves the room.

He calls over his shoulder, "Jimmy, let me know if you need anything, mate."

Reese feels her insides collapse.

Isn't it bad enough that right now I am wondering if joining the Tower is more likely to keep the Free State safe or not?  Do you really need to snub me like this?  Honestly, I came here to Praeco's because my faith was slipping and I was slipping away from the Movement.  Whatever your problem is, it's not helping.  I already feel like I am on the outside looking in.  You just make things worse.  Then again, I am beginning to think you are right.

For a split second Reese feels herself as Rapunzel being led to the Tower and it sees a lot more inviting than the Movement.

Reese frowns and says quietly, "Don't worry all.  I will be leaving soon.  I have business that needs attending to and I have little interest in invading the space again."

Reese feels sorrow and has a passing thought that she is trespassing by even existing and always has.

It's not as thought this is a new feeling.  Only my Father understood.

Esther spoke up, "Dr. Reese, please allow me to apologize for my... for Simon, I believed that I have spoiled him so much that he has forgotten his manners."

No, I don't think he has.  I think he is right to reject me.  It's appropriate.  It's why my sire embraced me, after all.

Reese is so lost in thought she misses Esther's invitation for a chat as she rambles on, shaking her head, "No, this is his space and I am invading it.  He is within his rights.  I don't intend on causing issue again.  This is a safe space for him and I've made it something other than that.  I have a beautiful home in Allston to return to.  I have members of the Tower to meet with and discuss deals made that need to be followed through on.  I have people to feed, building to rebuild, fires to look into.  My list is long.  Besides, I've already imposed too much.  I have other ways I can learn and I'd rather pay the prices involved in learning than to impose again."

I won't have you all be like my mother.

Some hurt is betrayed on Reese's face and she forces a smile, "Whoever cooked, it smells wonderful.  What is it all?"

I can be self-sufficient.  I was for years.  I don't even enjoy this existence that much.  I just want to be able to help people.


The conversation continues and both Esther and Esperanza try to reassure her that coming to the Forge is the best place to learn and that it's Praeco's space, but Reese just keeps reflecting on the feeling of being on the outside looking in.

Sometimes I think that the age of a kindred really has no bearing on their psyche.  Sometimes I think it has more to do with the age someone was when they were turned.

The Court Before the Storm

Reese slides into the chair in her office and spins in it. She shakes her head.

Was it just Jack's obvious decline in Humanitas that was making him make bad judgements?  Tom said it was the fact that Jack is a neonate.


Reese frowns.


But I have to be a younger neonate than Jack, so age is no excuse.  Does he simply not think long term and has turned to making snap decisions?


Reese's eyebrows knit together.


Does he truly intend to make enemies of the Movement in Allston / Brighton?  I do not trust him to deal with him anymore.  I cannot take his word as a man of honor.  He lacks honor.  He lacks understanding.  He lacks the grasp of reality that I thought he had and that I relied on him for.


Reese leans back in her chair.

Jack, my dear, your implication that if you were Prince we'd have to work for the city to continue to hold Allston and Brighton drew a line in the sand I don't think you realize you put there.  If Tom does not come back, this is war.  You have created a war between the Anarchs and the Tower.  You've discounted the Gifts of the Moon.  You've insulted me for the last time with your misunderstanding of your position in the world.  You only have the power of being the Master Harpy because the Primogen put you there.  Tom explained that tonight.  I listened.  Why didn't you?


Reese sighs.

I'm an Anarch and I can see the mistakes you are making.  You are particularly making them with me.  I may be an inconsequential Anarch.  I am inconsequential in fabric of Cainites as a whole, but to say what you said to me was a mistake on your part.


Reese looks at her laptop.

Even the most inconsequential of Cainites can create wrinkles where you don't see them until you climb into the uncomfortable bed you've made.


Reese closes it, "The emails can wait until tomorrow night when I've calmed down and have a clear head."  Reese stands up and slips the laptop into her knitting bag.

Tom understands that I am the back-up plan as is Anat.  At least he sees it.


Reese locked the door to her office.

Divining the future....

Reese looked up in time to see Liam let himself out of the office.

Do I think he will actually ask Jack about what we talked about?


Reese frowned as she sipped the last of her cup of pineapple tea and looked at the tarot cards spread out on her desk.  She looked at the book and the definition of the High Priestess again.

Unlikely.  He won't want to get skewered by either Tom or Jack.  The plight of the cambot neonate is a sad one.  He's not told what he needs to know because they want to control him.  And Jack tries to tell me that being a neonate doesn't limit you.  Even he limits other neonates.  It's really sad that he tells the lies he does.  At least tell Liam what he is going to attack.


Reese looked at the tea leaves in the bottom of her cup and finally something clicked, unlike the cards did.

I should just stick with what's comfortable and not try to branch out.


"Events are not as they expect them.  The future seems superficial and paper thin."

Reese stretches and yawns, suddenly tired.

Too many hands muddy Vienna.  I can't see more than that.


Reese frowns and looks at the leaves again.

It's the best I can do.


Reese cleans her cup out in the sink.

Do other vampires take naps?

Mmm... tea....

Reese served herself tea and continued to look at the patterns. trying to discern where they were headed.