My Little Ventrue: A story in the Dolareido Universe

Chapter 5

~~Julias~~

Julias turned to face his young pupil. While Julias had chosen his normal favorite outfit, a navy lounge suit, two button, single-breasted with no tie, he thought the little Ventrue would look better in something a little more professional. First perceptions were crucial. He outfitted Jack in a gray double-breasted business suit, replete with a white dress shirt and a nice tie.

He had a number of suits waiting for Jack. He only wants the finest for his new child.

The sidewalks were freezing. People in trench jackets and furs passed by, but his gaze glossed over them even as their gazes drew to him. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and appeared almost like a hit man, despite the fact that he was dressed in a suit despite the cold. He was aware of it as well. The kine passing by occasionally stared for too long, and he returned their look with a small, intimidating smile. They averted their gaze.

"Viktor is one of the Invictus' three elders." He is a founding member of Dolareido and has been here for a long period. "Maria and Michael, not so much," Julias explained.

“Maria?”

"A Nosferatu, yes." That raises an interesting point." He looked around as they turned a corner. The streets weren't completely empty, but they were quiet enough to talk about topics. "It's the tribes. I think I should tell you about them. Differences flow in the blood, and some of them can be quite significant... unsettling.”

“Oh?" Jack's curiosity was aroused. The little guy was always interested in topics that most people avoided. After all, that's how they met.

"Daeva are swift and powerful, and they can seduce you with a single glance." They are obsessive, materialistic, and only interested in satisfaction. They are almost always attractive, and they are aware of it."

"Like a succubus?"”

"Actually, yes. Very precise correspondence. Take extra care with them because our Prince is a Daeva."

"Prince was mentioned previously. What exactly is it?”

“Nutshell? She rules the city's nightlife. She specifies what we can and cannot do."

“Scary. She?”

"The Kindred's gender neutral title is Prince."

“Oh.”

"Indeed," Julias punched Jack in the shoulder, and Jack bounced back as usual, feigning shock. "I recognize you, Jack. Put your tongue where it does not belong. You must learn that quickly, because Kindred are paranoid predators who will rip you apart and flee to the sun if they suspect you of wrongdoing."

“... very frightening."

“Next. Mekhets. They are only ghosts. They can conceal anywhere and see everything. Fast as well. "Excellent at gathering information."

“Assassins? They sound like ninjas."

“Next. The Gangrel. Barbarians dressed in denim. They are extremely robust and powerful. They can be quite... "Beast-like," Julias groaned, unable to keep the harsh tone out of his voice. His dislike for the Gangrel had to be apparent. "And then there was Nosferatu." They are indeed... monsters.”

Julias looked perplexed as Jack turned to face her. This kid was always interested in dangerous stuff. He'd have to work extra hard to protect his childe from killing himself.

"They look like monsters, and they can exploit your fear," Julias said, pointing to his temple. "They'll fuck your head from the shadows, and they're strong." Have you seen The Phantom of the Opera? Consider Erik."

"Oh, I see... That is a textbook tragedy. Is it necessary for me to prevent them?”

“Honestly? They're undoubtedly the ones you should be most concerned about. They're canines, after all. The others are wolves in sheep's garb." Julias scratched the gruff with his hand up to his chin. "However, they appear to be different, so I felt I should warn you."

"All right, Gangrel, Nosferatu, Daeva, and Mekhet." And...”

"And the Ventrue." We are masters, kings, and queens. We have command and cannot be halted. It's in the genes." He smiled at Jack, catching a glimpse of surprise in his childe's eyes. Julias knew Jack had never considered himself a leader, but he saw promise in his friend. He could see it even if Jack and no one else could, making him a formidable friend.

"All five can be found in the Invictus. We are the most numerous of the agreements here."

“Covenants?”

"I suppose political groups. We have objectives and a structure. It would take a long time to completely explain, so for now, just know the names. We'll be meeting Viktor, Maria, and Michael, the Invictus' leaders. The Carthians, the Circle of the Crone, the Ordo Dracul, and the Lancea et Sanctum are other groups. The Prince, on the other hand, has banned the Second Estate, the Lancea et Sanctum, or at least any open practice of their ways."

“She... a whole political group was outlawed? Is Dolareido a dictatorship?”

"A monarchy is a more direct illustration. She has advisers from all practice groups, but eventually her word is law." He cast a glance over his shoulder at his diminutive companion. This was a massive information dump, but it was preferable to allowing Jack stew. He'd seen far too many newlyweds brood themselves into death. No, this was superior. Don't let him think about how he'd just lost his entire existence and now had to spend eternity never feeling the sun and always craving blood. He was going to spend the rest of his life terrified that some elder Kindred would tear him apart. There was no reason to ruin what was turning out to be a remarkably smooth embrace, despite the near-death experience.

“So... why? What's with all the politics?”

"How else could you prevent a swarm of solitary, territorial predators forced to compete for the same food source from killing each other?"”

"I suppose, yeah."

“Good. "You've mastered the fundamentals."

“Basics? How much more difficult can it get?”

Julias couldn't help but chuckle. He raised his palm to his face, his fingers covering his smile. He expected Jack to frown at him, but that only made him guffaw harder. Julias eventually placed a palm on his friend's shoulder to steady himself.

"OK, jackass, I get it," Jack said, his fangs clenched.

"I apologize, I apologize. While many of the Kindred are fresh to this, perhaps not much older than you, many are also my age. Some far more than others. They dig their fingers into individuals and weave webs of deception so large that no one can follow them. Complicated does not begin to explain it, so keep an eye out for spider webs. We've arrived."

They were standing in front of a massive office structure. It was monolithic, with indented dark valleys running the length of it, and gentle white lights bathed it just enough to make it noticeable at night. The entrance was a series of massive reinforced glass doorways, each spotless so Julias could see into the foyer.

“Come. Stay by my side. Speak only when called upon, and greet members of the circle as Your Excellency."

"Holy crap. This is Xnomina. Julias, they're a massive company! Everything from tools to food. You're fucking telling me..."

"The Invictus do run the company." Things on a grand scale. "Come on," Julias said as she approached the front of the building and opened the entrance. Normally, he'd open the door for his friend, but this location was different. He was the first to enter.

"Dear Mr. Mire. In the meeting room, the circle has already been formed. "Please hurry," Julias was told by the lady behind the counter. A Mekhet, a quiet librarian with spectacles, short black hair, and her gaze fixed on her laptop. Attractive, but reserved. The beast inside him grumbled silently at the site of her, knowing full well that if it wanted to, it could destroy her. Julias simply grinned at her.

"Thank you very much, Madam Jenning." Oh, and Master Jack Terry, my childe, please enter him into the system." Julias gestured to the little Ventrue behind him.

"Are you Master Jack?" Oh. Oh! I mean, isn't he... Isn't he a small thing?" Gloria Jenning smiled deviously as she entered Jack's name. Predictable. Julias was a tall and muscular guy, and his companion was... not. Nonetheless, he gave Gloria a quiet growl, and she sat up straight and doubled her typing pace.

Julias continued to stroll. It would be impolite to return to check on Jack, but he knew Jack would be frowning and glaring hatred into Gloria. He could only pray that he didn't do it with Viktor.

The structure was deserted. Such a large lobby, but the building was shut down at night, at least for its kine workers. By dusk, the building was deserted except for the Invictus, which had business here. Elevators lined the sides of the chamber, and the walls were high and black marble.

Julias continued, "This way." Julias pushed the open button on the Xnomina X elevator toward the rear of the building and waited.

"So... we're ascending?"

“Yes.”

"To the top floor of Xnomina Headquarters."

“Yes.”

"...fucking crap."

Julias gave his childe a quick look. The poor boy was trembling; his inner-beast was well conscious of the danger, even if Jack mistook it for nervousness. He'd have to explain the beast to him later when he had the opportunity, but he couldn't keep Viktor waiting.

"Just keep quiet and only speak when they ask." Be succinct and polite. "To everybody."

His childe nodded in time with the elevator's bell. The two entered, and after a button press and a quiet elevator ride, they entered a corridor, followed by the conference room.