The learning process, step one. - Michelle Angelica

It had been a month, or so, since she had last made contact with her sire. Elizabeta would surely be expecting and update, by now. It was past due, and she had fairly important matters to discuss with her Lasombra mother. She had taken a drive, away from the estate and pulled off on the side of the road, vehicle running, and removed her phone. A speed dial number was pressed and she awaited the answer. With a 5-6 hour time difference, this call was placed early into this evening, so that it was not too late in Italy... or Spain... or wherever her sire was currently located.

The phone rang once, twice, a third time.

Click.

"Buona sera, Michelle. Stavo cominciando a chiedermi come eri carenatura nel nuovo mondo. Per favore, dimmi. Come sono i vostri sforzi? Avete bisogno di assistenza, mia cara?"

(Translation: Good evening, Michelle. I was beginning to wonder how you were fairing in the new world. Please, tell me. How are your endeavors? Do you require assistance, my dear?)

(I dont feel like google translating this all, so lets just change the color, shall we? )

Michelle always had a close relationship, with her sire. The woman was more than the kindred that embraced her, Elizabeta was her mother.. and she always addressed her as such.

"I am sorry, mia madre, for taking so long to get in touch with you. Everything seems to be moving along, rather smoothly. So much to tell you about!" she seemed a touch excited, but the sire knew the truth. Michelle was a path follower, much like her sire. Power and the Inner Voice, took many shapes. For Michelle, power was gained through trust.. and trust through kindness and 'honesty' in certain measurements.

"First, the trip was lovely, and upon arrival, as we had arranged, the Harpy of the domain greeted me and brought me to see the prince. She is a lovely woman, of the Malkavian decent. Very helpful, genuinely." she wasnt fully sure on that, but sure enough to speak it. "And the Prince.. .well.. once I stated the difference between myself and our... more wayward family... he seemed fairly comfortable with providing Acknowledgement. I think he is still highly sceptical, but I would expect nothing less."
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There was obviously more to the story, but she allowed for her mother's retort, if any.

On the other end, the ancient Lasombra got comfortable in a large, plush chair. When she spoke it was in the most fluent Italian.

"I am glad to hear things are going well in the America, mia cara. That James Alexander was comfortable granting one of our lineage is good, though not necessarily surprising. I believe he was married to one of our own, Dalia Ramirez. Such a silly notion, marriage amongst Kindred," she sounded as if she had a coy sort of smile as she said the last line.

"Please, go on. Have you made any headway into the domain?"

"Mmmmm." ut oh, hesitation. "Things are, progressing. I have still be attempting to locate a decent site, to bed down in more perminately. I expect something to be secured, very soon. In the mean time, I have taken residence within the manor of a very interesting woman..." she seemed to trail off, but not really.

"Upon arrival to the domain, I wished to have a voice... so.. I made the plan to find a reliable and capable Primogen to represent my voice. I chose the Ventrue Primogen." Michelle grinned, and though the sire couldnt see it, she knew what he daughter did on the other end. "I thought it... ironic, and fitting. Her name is Christine Lowrey."

She switched gears, taking on a more serious tone. "She is an interesting woman. I gather she is more than old.. perhaps even older than yourself, mother. And... she knows the powers of the abyss. I am not sure to what extent, fully.. but she claims Tenebrous Form."

"How very interesting, my dear. Do keep an eye on that situation. It may become valuable, or pertinent information. Now do tell me about your city's court? have you met many of the primogen? do they seem to function well together?"

"I have yet to spend much time, attempting to get to know the court itself. I had set up to spend time, in Elysium.. but something came up. I will touch on that, in a moment." she said, almost apologetically. "I -did- meet the sheriff, briefly. Another interesting woman, who seemed to appear out of thin air. Ms. Tahan, was her name, or rather.. all I got of it, for the moment."

She paused, then stated. "As for the night of Elysium, I happened to stumble upon a murder that was extremely like the 1888 killings in London. I am sure you remember them, as well as I do. Doing some damage control, on that, placed me off my schedule for the night.. then the following evening, was my formal introduction to Primogen Lowrey. It has really been one thing after another, but I believe things are starting to fall into place a bit more, which will allow me to be a bit more... social."

"As for Primogen Lowrey, I think she may just be more useful, than we may initially think." her lips curled into a wicked smile, the subtle shift in her tone relayed that facial expression. "I think she is starting to hear the song of the abyss. She has admitted that she feels it, within her... and that she is not afraid, but rather... welcoming."

Sghe nodded into the phone, "well, you know those American Kindred, always go, go, go. They often lack patience. As for Primogen Lowery, do be careful, darling. The Abyss is power and Kindred are, as you know, prone to deception. Just because she welcomes the Abyss and it's power it does not mean she will be as welcoming to one of us should she feel we are not needed."

"I have no doubt, that a kindred of her age is only after two things, really, More power and more time. I think that such things could be used to our advantage, should it come to it." "She hesitated, then spoke again. "I have already baited the hook, slightly, by showing her some of what else the darkness has to offer. She nibbled... I think with enough bait, she could possibly be reeled in... maybe even bound." The last part was ambitiouis, but who knows?

"However, I must get to another topic." she took a breath in, then released it. "I believe I am ready for the next step, mother. I would like to begin training in the more mystic arts of our clan. I have hit a wall, and I feel the hunger to grow more in tune with the Abyss, overcoming me. I was hoping, you might agree, and the first steps down my true path, could be taken."

For a long moment, the elder was silent before she said, "You are aware that this is far more dangerous than any other power that the Abyss might lend us, correct?"

"I am, mother. I understand the dangers involved, mostly. I would still be instructed in the ways, if you will permit, though." She only partially understood her sire's hesitation. Obviously, she did not fully understand, how could she? BUt the truth of it, was that she had enough understanding, to want a better taste. She was almost certain, she could handle it. Almost.

But her sire knew her child, well. She almost never failed, and once she had set her mind, to a task, there was nothing else more important. THis had been long coming.. nearly a hundred years of build up. Her sire knew, she would go after it full on, now that she was resolved to the task. "I am ready, mother."

"I believe you are ready to wield the power, my childe. I worry that you are not familiar enough with the dangers involved with what resides in the Abyss. However, knowledge is key and forewarned is forearmed. I will bring you a text in time. It will contain information on the dangers that you may encounter as well as the rudimentary workings of Abyssal magics. In this case, caution, my dear, is the better part of valor."

"I wish to see you again, mother.. I was hoping, you might be able to come here.. of I could come to you, for the lessons. However, if you feel text is all that is available, I understand."

A small pause, then "If you were to be able to come, you could meet this Ms. Lowrey... experience her, for yourself. I am finding it difficult, so far, to form a solid opinion on just how far she is gone, to the Abyss."

The ancient creature nodded into the phone. "I will send the book ahead. There are certain matters which require my personal attention in Aragon, Spain. I will see about coming to the Americas following my business there. I would come sooner, but this demands my attention."

"I understand. I do miss you, mother. I hope that your nights are well. Are they well? Do you require my assistance, with anything?" there was an eagerness in her tone. Always eager to help her mother. "I can put things on hold, here, if you need me. It will not be a bother, at all."

She again shook her head, "No, dear daughter. Aragon is a place which is... delicate at best, and dangerous at worst. Too dangerous even for you, I'm afraid. I must go see one of our cousins about something. Be safe in your new domain, darling. I will be there soon enough."

"I look forward to your arrival, mother. Please, be safe." No I love you... but it lingered silently in the air. "Until then..." she said, then hesitantly hung up the phone, with a sigh.