So the leading lady made Jason Keeper of Elysium for last night. A decision I can but commend her. I think the man deserved a little prestige boost at this juncture. The guest list was irritating and impressive at the same time, thus perfectly fit for Jason.

Let’s start this with Jason. I think the idea of having to take on responsibility for a whole evening, including the privilege of granting permission to stay in the city, pretty much freaked him out, no matter how proud he felt about being named Keeper. At some point he went on talking about the boundaries of this particular Elysium, despite subtle hints of the person he was talking to already nodding agreement. Anyway. Nobody freaked out. There was no major breach of anything. Which means he did a good job! There even was some art, rudimentary as it may have been. I think Alessandro would have been quite surprised to see him work that way. The man never saw his potential when it’s really so fucking obvious. I’m curious to find out what the prince has planned for him. I’m pretty sure she has her own ideas for him… Maybe I can coax her into telling me. He also received two gifts: the rapier and Coraline’s blood. The latter still makes me snicker to myself. I won’t tell her that he has it. Give her a fair chance and trying to get along with him. Start over. Clean slate.

Not that I seem to be able to waken her! I’ve tried my own blood already, yet to no avail. So I’ll have to come up with something else. Which I already have. But being the nice guy I am I’m asking Alena for her opinion. She seems to be close to Coraline, so I guess I should give her a chance to have an influence on her condition. Will make her feel so much better.

JB wasn’t there, which wasn’t a loss at all. But neither was friar Jean, whom I kind of missed. Bleh. On the other hand, we’re still pen pals. So I guess I get compensated accordingly, seeing as I already had mail in my inbox when I woke from my slumber this evening.

What else. Freienfels was there, elder of the clan of kings. Though I have rarely seen someone as non-kingly as he is. For Jason’s sake I tried to be on my best behavior though. He walked past me at some point, growling quietly. So I followed him outside, asking him if everything was ok. And where did that get me? Away from the elysium, over to the park. Said something about wanting to get in touch with my inner beast. Play a little. And so he did, coaxing the damn thing forth, growling and sniffing at me. And what’s it I do? I let go. Turns out that even an elder can be sent running when looking at him just the right way. Twice. With witnesses. Which was pretty stupid of him. Either way… Once I made him run a second time he returned seriously pissed. Had no choice but offer my throat – which, fortunately, he didn’t choose to bite. Still. Whatever I may have had to speak in his favor is now gone. Because there’s not much I can think of that undoes his stupidity. And I know I shouldn’t say this. Shouldn’t even think this. But how am I supposed to help it? Tells me I’m supposed to accept my beast. Well fuck you very much! Because I won’t.

When he finally allowed me to go back to the others I ran straight into Sparkle, who, being the wiseass she can be, asked me about what happened. Said that I’m not the only one he’s been doing this to. As if I care. I’ll have to talk to her about another matter though. Also there seems to be a bit of a tension in who’s going to play the leading part in her clan within the near future. I’m not quite sure I’d give her my vote. There’s another I’d have in mind. Alas, plans don’t always work out.

When I got back I had a talk with Simon. Opened up a little. Maybe a bit too far. It’s amazing how people can easily bear to hear that someone is stronger than them. More dexterous. Faster. But once you tell them you think you’re smarter than they are you’re considered an arrogant prick. He asked me what made me think that. And I told him. I also told him about the tests that were done to figure it out. The tests I keep doing to this very day. His glorious answer? Well, those tests were way off when they were invented. Yes. Your point? I also told him that it doesn’t matter much whether I really am a genius or not. The fact is that I think I am. And whether I can be more useful thinking that I am or after my worldview has been crushed into pieces. I for one know which of the two I’d choose. He’s right about one thing though: Part of growing up is starting to question yourself. Which is something I never did before. So I guess I’ll have to start on that. He also said a few interesting things about his clan… How his Sire said that the Toreador are very close to the truth. We’re just too blind to open our eyes to it. Maybe he’s right. Right now I don’t care much about the truth (setting aside the fact that I think that there’s only individual truths, no absolute one). Turns out though we have another problem in common: Sanders.

That woman! I ask about the reports from Kassel. She sends them around – to EVERYONE but me. Shiraz points that out to me and I write her. And instead of a simple sorry she basically gives me the finger. So I remind her what my clan is good at, after which she starts threatening me until she FINALLY surrenders into apologizing. Don’t think she’s any less aggressive now. I made an enemy. Fortunately Simon doesn’t think too highly of her as well. Mascha asked me about something to smear her with. And I’m pretty sure I can come up with something that sounds reasonably good. Also Sparkle may have something. Or Shiraz. I’ll try and pull some strings. You don’t threaten a Toreador with ruining his reputation. Seriously. Who made you queen of anything?

Right on her heels in being the most unlikeable person around is that von Stein person. Clan Brujah. Thinks he’s very clever. Very heartless. Very good at whatever it is he chooses to do right now. The man is so full of himself that he puts my genius to shame. I kept cutting him. Pretty sure he noticed it too.

Another von was present: Lützow. For a change he did nothing that made me think he hates me as much as he must. Then again, he was probably more busy fighting with Sparkle and smiling his usually fake smiles. Doesn’t seem to have a very good standing with the elders that control von Stein. Awww… Watch me not care.

Thomas and Mascha spent a lot of time talking to Freienfels. Can’t say I envy them for that conversation. Then again, they probably got their fair share of things out of him. Thomas seemed genuinely concerned when I returned from my little trip to the park. Guess I’ll have to talk to him some time soon. Pretty sure he worries too much about nothing.

Phillips… At least the guy serves as good comic relief. I’m not quite sure why he likes me – or at least pretends that he does. But he always seems pleased to have me around for some reason. He won’t like the chance. I’ll be curious to find out whether he understands why it has to happen.

Didn’t get much one-on-one time with good Raphael. I almost pissed him off at one point. But that was just because he didn’t understand one thing I said. He’s trying hard to solve this Kassel thing. Puts up a good effort. I’ll let the prince know. Maybe it’ll help in restoring his reputation. He deserves to be cut some slack.

And then there’s Harkon. Who almost broke elysium within the first hour, sniffing out how human one of the guests was. After discussing crisis management with Jason I talked to Phelan. Turns out that this sniffing people is habitual to some of the Gangrel. Ewww. Well, at least Elysium could be kept that way. But… EWWW!

Wearing black sure as hell didn’t help much. But I’ll give it another shot next night. The proper funeral mood just wouldn’t hit me. And as long as that doesn’t happen, I guess I’m not done with the process just yet. Fuck.

Die Szenerie hatte etwas von Lagerfeuerromantik: Dee lag seitlich auf dem Bett, eine Wolldecke über die Füße gelegt und stützte sich auf dem Ellbogen auf, den Kopf in die Hand gelegt. “Tell me a story. So many interesting things must have happened tonight!”
Neben ihr saß Nathaniel im Schneidersitz, eine Gitarre auf dem Schoß. “You sure you wanna hear this? Because I will use this.” Wobei er die Gitarre kurz betonend anhob.
Dee schmunzelte, sah weiter in seine Richtung und nickte. Leise begann er auf der Gitarre einige bestenfalls als begleitende Akkorde zu spielen. Zu beider Freude hielt es ich davon ab zu singen, sondern erzählte die Geschichte des Abends.
“In the deep of the woods two wolves met. One of them had a coat of shining white fur. The other pitch black. And, as beasts are, they started sniffing and growling, circling each other at the familiar old pace. Until the black cat receded to the shadows, the white wolf following. She stayed there, calmly watching, lurking. And the white wolf came closer still. Whne he was close enough the black wolf bared his fangs, only to once more make room for the black cat.”
Dee runzelte die Stirn.
“The white wolf came closer still, till they touched briefly. Again the black one would show his face, this time growling so fiercely that the white wolf was sent running in fear. As he ran the black stallion trotted proudly over the clearing, showing off his own splendor.”
Das Stirnrunzeln wurde nun durch eine hochgezogene Augenbraue ersetzt.
“Yet again the white wolf returned, once more growling. As before the black cat was waiting for him. With the white wolf close enough, the black wolf snarled again, sending the white one running a second time.”
“Oh, really.” Mit einem ungläubigen Schmunzeln boxte Dee Nates Knie.
“But when he returned this time he was nothing but fangs and rage… So the smaller black wolf had no choice but to present his throat. The only way to keep the white one from tearing him apart. Eventually the white one allowed the black wolf to leave. And as he did, the changeling smiled and sparkled in all his black colors.”
“Natey… Don’t make this a song. You so suck at telling non-ancient stories.”
“Well, wouldn’t you know.” Er legte das Instrument weg und sich zu ihr. “Lesson learned?”
“Never stick to one stereotype.”
“Yeah…” Selten warm lächelnd schloss er das verbliebene Auge und nickte zu sich selbst. “Will you be there when I wake up in the evening?”
“You know… For someone who has decided to stop being a kid, you do behave like one very, very much.”
“Will you?”
Er sah weder das Lächeln, noch spürte er wirklich die Finger auf seiner Wange. “Sure I will.”