There’s a storm brewing. No telling what ship will make it through.

The situation is tough. Our fearless leader sold us out to the Brujah, half unaware of doing so. Now that he’s been confronted about it he has to asume that I’m working against him. Which I’m not. I am taking precautions as best I can though. And I prepare for the worst. That being stepping up to take his place, if I have to. Which I don’t want to do. But I will if I must. Of course all of this could be a HUGE test whether or not we have our loyalty right. Then again, one can never be sure. So I have to follow my own judgement.

Power corrupts. And the more I watch J.B., the more I realize that with some people that is just so. Thinks he’s playing with the big boys now. Thinks he’s got our resources at hand, thanks to Alessandros folly. Well, you’re not thinking at all, Mister! Because we won’t swallow your bitter little pill. We did notice that you tried to slip it into our drink. And we kindly decline the offer. Thank you kindly.

Now, knowing that usually I’m the only guy seeing things a certain way I was worried that this would be the case here as well. Thank you, Fortuna, for helping me out there. Brother Jean agrees. And he is much more philosophic and probably more just about things than I am. Turns out that he has at least one friend in high places. The right people listen to him. Won’t hurt to work with him. Right now we have a deal working for us. And if one thing is for sure than that is that he will honor his word. I like that in a man. He also listens to what I have to say, which flatters my ego and is the right thing to do. Thumbs up for that. However, his brother von Lützow is starting to annoy me. Speaking on my behalf, then instantly claiming that he didn’t do so. Well, screw you too! Discredit someone your own size, not my ancilla. Especially not when you’re the one who’d eventually flee the domain whimpering.

Alessandro says that we need an alliance so that our clan may shine. I say: No, we don’t. Clan Toreador can stand on its own feet. Having an ally is nice. But not necessary. So don’t sell out your clan. He also says that there’d be no advantage from cutting ties to the Brujah now. I say: Yes, there are! Your fucking reputation. Obviously that thought never entered his mind. For once this is an idea I can’t help him with. If he sticks to his policy, he’s screwed. The only question then would be at what price. Damn. I do like him. But it’s looking very gloomy for him.

No less because he was stupid enough to give me a foolish order in Bruni’s room. I’m very happy you made me confess your own weakness there. Probably shot your own kneecap with that. Bleh. Bruni, for the time being, is all supportive. I could guess at what motivates him. On the other hand that doesn’t really matter right now. If I want to do my job right I do have to enter certain alliances myself. That’s just the way the game is played. “In the game of thrones you either win – or you die.”

Freddy… Alessandro says he had nothing to do with his accident. His aura says likewise. But even then, a few wrong words here and there and people get the wrong idea. They always get the wrong idea. He should have seen that coming. And now he’s all surprised that this things is exploding in his face.

Right now I’m trying my best to stay un-staked. Thomas is helping out. He’ll dig into a few things on my behalf. I’m stupid to trust a Nosferatu. Yet I do. Sucks to be me, sometimes. Alena keeps asking about Coraline. She’s also worried that she might be the next to end up in Contarini’s cellar. I keep telling her that I won’t let that happen. In turn, she decided to trust me. Gave me some of her blood to watch over. Says she’s making allies. I’m one of them. I hope she and Jason get along…

And then there’s Jason. There is always Jason. He is wary of change, just as well as he should be. Can’t say I’m too keen on it either. Tries to pick a safe way through the woods. Realizes that things are getting worse and worse. Then tries harder to make a stand, in his own way. Others may think he’s a coward. Part of him may be. And yet he could sell me out in a heartbeat. If he did, I’d be dead meat. Still, here I am, typing away and musing about his state of character. Given his recent situation it must be a strain for him nontheless. Can’t say I envy him in his position.

All of this, as fortune would have it, happens while the big lady isn’t around to look up to. Guess it’s better that way. Forces people to think on their own. No safe lead you could follow. I won’t deny that I’m curious to hear what she’s thinking…

Lord Henry Elyot saß in seinem Ohrensessel. Das tat er immer wenn er glaubte, er müsse seinem Sproß wichtige Lektionen des Lebens beibringen. Gefühlt war der Sessel schon immer da, auch wenn der gerade erwachsen gewordene junge Mann sich sehr bewusst war, dass eben jener Sessel gerade mal vor elf Monaten gekauft und hier aufgestellt worden war, nachdem seine Mutter seinen Vorgänger endlich verbannen konnte.
“My darling boy, I do think it is time for you to take on some responsibility. Why don’t you join one of the clubs? Become captain of some sporting event or another. I hear working in a team is becoming ever more important.”
Nate rollte die Augen. Das Auge. “You also hear that ‘darling boy’ is still a suitable form of adressing your son, dad.”
“It is. Were it not it should be once more. Those were more glorious times back then, Nathaniel. You would have liked it.”
Hätte er nicht. Aber es hatte keinen Sinn in diesem Punkt zu widersprechen.
“Nathaniel. Since you insist on your studies even you must be aware how important coming of age is for a young man such as yourself.”
“I am. Does that mean I get to fly back and have that tribal tattoo?”
Ein vernichtender Blick ließ ihn wieder schweigen.
“Maybe he needs just a bit more time to grow up, Henry.”, warf die Mutter lächelnd von der Seite ein.
“One day he will be Lord Elyot, with all the privileges and responsibilities of the title.” Allerdings hatte er den Fehler gemacht seine Frau anzusehen als er sie ansprach. Als er sich zurückdrehte war sein Sohn bereits gegangen.