Francesco Conti

She is gone, and the world will burn for it.

Not being Invictus myself, I had the opportunity to listen to the maneuverings of the Dallas Invictus from a third-person perspective. I don't generally like to taint myself with matters of Covenant and politics, and this is the result of becoming involved. Matters swept under the rug as a 'problem of blood' rather than being stated for what it truly is: whoring favor from those in power. It's sickening. And now she is gone, and the world will burn for it.

I can't imagine when, or how, or to whom those involved will pay for it.

They say our kind has eternity. I don't want to wait. Impatience has killed many in the line of duty, but the focus brought by it lays waste to the first, second, even third line of defense.

She is gone, and the world will burn for it.

Blood gushed from the wound in his side. The bastard pulled a knife when things weren't looking so good for him. The flash of steel made everyone else in the stable clear out, interested in their lives first and the combatants second.

It had started out a gentlemen's wager. First to fall would be given a lady's handkerchief. Sergio leapt at the opportunity, and was now reaping the benefits of his mistake. The opponent was knocked down twice, and forgiven for the falls. Sergio tried to take it easy on him, but the years of training left him on auto-pilot during certain maneuvers. The third time, the knife flashed from a belt and pierced flesh before Sergio was aware of its presence.

Blood drenched one side of his shirt, ran down his pants in thick streams. But he had to get out of that stable. There may be a policeman, or someone who could be flagged. The light rain meant the streets would likely see few souls, even though it was before midnight.

A brief stumble, and he pushed against the wall to stay vertical. The alley seemed to stretch on forever before him. A horrible fate, but he had no regrets about the way he lived his life. No painful reflection, no curiosity at what would have been different. The woman.. he thought her name was Elizabeth, she could have been his. She was very lovely, dark enough to remind him of the girls from his home. Deep green eyes... he was fading fast, losing his consciousness as he approached the street.

"..aiutatemi. ..uh, hlp." A few more steps, the lamp was brightly beaming.

"You there!" A heavy English voice called out from behind him.

A gasp, and Sergio turned around. Black gloved hands reached out, a bright red flash caught his eye, and Sergio was being held up by strong arms. Pale skin, a touch of gray in the hair. There was a smile, and a long tooth.. and then it all went black.

Is she that retarded? Really? I mean, I chose this one because they are a Covenant of apparent hard asses.

Leave it up to the Faithful to clean up this mess.

So let it be written, so let it be done.

- From the Journal of Thomas

It isn't until you dive face deep into a situation that you begin to realize the true extent that someone is fucked up.

I mean seriously. Becoming a maelstrom of shit muck, drawing the important ones into the deepest levels. These people bring out the worst of their city, their Clan, their Covenant.

I'm so far from my end goal. Shit like this puts it in perspective.

I need to clear my itinerary. Gas up the Batmobile. Sharpen my halberd.

That I make a stand for myself, or that people begin arguing for my point for me?

-Thomas

A step through the door and immediately I am snagged.

No "Welcome to Athens! Please leave any plague-bearing gifts in the dumpster outside and have a pleasant stay." However, this is good for me, as Alena Sirius needs some advice, and fits into my plans.

"I have an inquisitor in my city, a very good one.. but an odd situation. This court had a mortal posing as a kindred, not seen by myself and once past by the local speaker and Paladin.She managed to finagle her way into the Prince's Harpy position."

My jaw drops a little, visibly shaken by ...however this took place. I squinted at her to make sure that I wasn't paying a trip to Crazytown.

"She was discovered a few nights after my visit, however the Inquisitor seems to believe the Paladin should have caught this imposter among us, has asked how I should teach her a lesson. Apparently this mortal has supernatual abilities and has fooled previous courts. I don't really feel the Paladin had a chance at even noticing this woman when she had not been around her in person."

I asked about Saoirse's lineage, which confirmed her as Daeva. She was concerned and did not want to blow off the Inquisitor. I had fewer quarrels. "I don't believe that she holds position beyond that of Primogen in the city. Sounds to me like this falls more under the edict of Sheriff, Seneschal, and Scourge."

"As far as covenant matters the Inquisitor has continued to investigate. You may have seen him earlier. Inquisitor Anthony Herrod."

The name hits me with little recognition. It wasn't until hours later that I recalled that he was a very influential Damned on my early nights in the Covenant. "Hmm, I may have seen him around. So he is essentially looking at how Saoirse has represented the Lancea in Athens?"

"Yes, and myself. However I am new to the area and expected to have a firmer grip. The other half of this situation is my bloodline, I was made Bishop for my efforts in stabilizing the Sanctified in Florida which in itself should be a rarity." She also offers a few tidbits of information, including lineage and bloodline that would startle lesser Damned. "I don't want to punish the Paladin, but the Inquisitor does want answers and he does want everything to be as it should."

"I understand your predicament. I don't believe that the Paladin should be punished, as she has provided services to the city within her purview. Though she should be ever vigilant, the fact that the 'defenders' of the city overlooked it is a joke." It's true. I want to throttle the Sheriff right about now. I 'hmm' and ponder, and come up with this gem.

"I think that a 'punishment' for the Paladin would be for her to learn powers of the Sight to competency of discerning auras. It expands her beyond her current abilities and makes her useful to the city in more capacity."

"A good idea. I don't mind flogging someone but it seems inappropriate at this time."

"The flaying should go to the Seneshcal."

She laughs, and we continue talking about lighter things. Most importantly though, I've left an impression.

*scratches head*

Did it really take 6 years to say "They advise and are examples of the Covenant"? ...Really? I don't even know how it falls to an error in my Archdiocese, or whatever.

I'll get inside you
I'll get inside you

Okay, urge to stab is rising. I'm still on track, I just need legitimacy. I plan on meeting with Bethany later this month to put legitimacy on the forefront and stack the deck.

Don't live ashamed, 'cause feelings change but fame remains
The reason why your gonna wanna take me home tonight
It's all the same up in this game, the people change
And money claims everyone from everything

Man, if only that fucker hadn't drained me dry.... not only did that hurt, but set me back YEARS.

I can't believe that you would think that shit of me
I was amazed at the torment that you put me through
If you can see right through the greed and all your needs
You realize that you were just about as bad as me

Sometimes I only remember the days when I was young
Nowadays no one remembers when they were young and stupid
(The way you like it)
Come on baby help me, someone to confide in
(I'll get inside you)
Now you're beggin' me to stay

I can feel the rage rising in me, thinking about it. Understanding how this tore my plans, my place in the world to bits. It's so very hard to remember that I am Damned, that this is a test from God. The rage I feel is twisted by the blood. It's not the same that I remember through the haze. The old way is dead to me now, and I hate it.

My life has changed but fuck the fame, I'll stay the same
You can't complain when you can pay the bills and do your thing
Appreciate, don't player hate, congratulate
I miss the pain and the torment that you put me through
(I'll get inside you)
So what's to fear when everything is crystal clear
You realize that you should do the things you wanna do
Don't give in to what people say, don't be ashamed
To separate the feelings on your mind you can't sedate
(I'll get inside you)

I will still use it to my advantage. The Ventrue is not dead, though the blood was drained. I am the Phoenix. It's all about the angle, the manipulation, and the love. Love for the colors, Respect for those who wear them. Commanding respect. Yes.

Sometimes I only remember the days when I was young
Nowadays no one remembers when they were young and stupid
(The way you like it)
Come on baby help me, someone to confide in
(I'll get inside you)
Now you're beggin' me to stay
I'll get inside you
Now you're beggin' me to stay

I'll get inside you

You would always say I'd never be shit
They would always say I'd never be shit
But look at me now, look at me now
Now you're beggin' me to stay
I'll get inside you
Now you're beggin' me to stay

The way you like it

Sometimes I only remember the days when I was young
Nowadays no one remembers when they were young and stupid
(The way you like it)
Come on baby help me, someone to confide in
(I'll get inside you)
Now you're beggin' me to stay
Sometimes I only remember the days when I was young
(I'll get inside you)
Nowadays no one remembers when they were young and stupid
(The way you like it)
Come on baby help me, someone to confide in
(I'll get inside you)
Now you're beggin' me to stay
(I'll get inside you)
Now you're beggin' me to stay
(I'll get inside you)
Now you're beggin' me to stay
(The way you like it)

I will wear red.

The Way You Like It

I'm hungry for action.

I have a course, and a plot. I just need the right detonator. Because I'm sure it will be as a bombshell to the world.

I don't suppose I will live past it. But fuck it, if I don't be bold and stand as the Grandeur, who will be left to?

-Thomas

Dear Diary,

Is it wrong that there's a secret part of me that, when I got my head back, wanted to start with that line? At least once. Makes me seem kinda fluffy. Somebody's gotta drop trou to that.

Anyway,

So, it's been a year since 'my little accident'. Next couple of months, I face the tribunal again. I suspect it will be quick. Hopefully not the fiasco from last time. And certainly less eyes staring at me.

Meritocracy function was nice. If by 'nice' you mean they're douches. Don't get me wrong, you have good apples mixed in with the bad, but all in all... yeah, I think I think better now that I'm someone else's. It was a little bit of a pain in the ass, what with the toxic air. Means Bethany had to be embraced, and I think Matthew Hall's a little crazy afterwards. It'll do her good. And the force march into the Midnight Mass' will be educational, especially now that she can get cut on.

I think she and Galiti boned the night before we went to Beauston (Beaumont+Houston = puke). Whatever, I hope it helped.

That kinda hurt. Surprising in the development.

But I suppose that is the nature of Faith and all its diversity.