Shopping (Lidija)

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

The holiday season was upon them all and Mari was no exception in needing to shop for folks. Being an angel didn't give you the leg up on shopping. In fact it meant you had less time to shop for that perfect gift. She'd managed to find Trent a journal that was bound in leather and was of good quality paper. She realized he probably used a computer like 99 percent of the folks out there now but there were still those who insisted that journaling should be done on paper with a pen. She felt silly really. What did you get someone who had lived through everything? Pocket watches were rare and many were just cheap looking. Besides, he probably had held on to at least one in his time on the planet.

Sighing she brushed her hair out of her eyes and searched for that special gift. She would know it when she saw it she was sure of that. She paused and almost bought a set of decorative chopsticks with dragons on them. She didn't know if he knew how to use them but it was a fairly good assumption that he did. Then she remembered, he didn't often eat solid food. Sighing, she moved past the eating utensils. She had gotten everyone else gifts but Trent needed more than a journal...she sighed, she didn't even know if he bothered with the holiday. It did kind of fly in the face of all that vampires were after all. Still, it was an excuse of sorts to give a gift.

What Trent really needed was a maid. Too bad he would eat anyone who tried. It wasn't that he was messy, just disorganized. He kept stuff in the oddest of places, half his books were hollowed out and held weapons. Her inner librarian cried as she saw that it drove her nuts. Maybe Trent would be better served if she got him a tablet of sorts. He could have a ton of books on it. Only need to charge it briefly and he could read the classics whenever. She bit her lip and sighed. The other day she'd found an eight track. Who even knew any of those existed any more?

[lidija]

Lidija had been watching her for at least an hour, however she was not stupid enough to believe that she could stalk an Angel. With a pair of sunglasses on, she watched from afar sizing up the woman she was going to have a talk with. They were all dangerous to her, the ability to generate holy fire was not something any vampire would ever take lightly. There were still beings with more power than she held, she was definitely not ignorant to that fact as blood thirsty as she had shown herself to be. Sticking her hands into the pockets of her coat, she slowly stalked over towards Marina with a look that said she was on a mission. What Trenton saw in this woman she had not yet figured out, but he seemed pleased with his pet.

"Shopping for presents? Somehow I thought you had much more to do with your time. Seems a bit.. mundane, don't you normally have some sort of mission or task to complete?" she asked, her voice audible over the din of the other customers and music. She spoke softer than she did in the club as she could not hide that subtle duality to her tone. The most alarming thing however was that she was here, now, in the daylight and she seemed to be just fine. Eventually there would be questions about that, though she was unsure how much was wise to discuss with Trenton's pet. She could be raided for the information at anytime, whether it be willingly or he seduced her. A man like that, she could not put it past him to have that sort of effect on her.

"I apologize for the way I spoke when we last met. I do not wish for you or your.. "mother" to view me as some sort of blood thirsty maniac." she said, smiling as kindly as she could muster. Though anyone who truly knew her knew that she was incapable of actually feeling these emotions she displayed. She was a beautiful trap, a dead end, that was pretty much the extent of her ability to interact with others. Even her own kind feared that they might be used and then discarded by her like they were nothing but a pest. "..I forgot my manners, apologies. How is your day?" she asked.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Glancing up, Mari saw the ancient one and blanched ever so slightly, she stood her ground, knowing that to teleport away with all of the people around her was not an option. It was clear that this vampiress could walk about during the day which was shocking even as it was intriguing. Glancing about she noticed that there seemed to be very few people actually near them as the dark haired woman approached her.

"Normally, I do but that does not mean that I don't give presents." she said with a quiet nod of her head to the other, the duality in Lidija's voice had her tilting her head as she tried to figure out if it was her demonic nature, magic or some skill that only an ancient vampire could master. It did make her aware, just as the fact that the other was out in broad daylight, that there was far more to this woman than anyone ever knew. She could sense the woman's distrust of her though it confused her as to why she might feel so. She shifted slightly and thought a moment, "There is a tea house next door. Would you prefer to speak there? Its not as bright and there would be a better chance to relax." she asked as she shifted the few purchases she had. It was a small bag and easily managed. She was just as unsettled as the other woman but she figured that curtsey would not be frowned upon. The other woman wore sunglasses so it was possible she was still photosensitive even if she would wander about.

Mari regarded the other woman quietly as she mimicked human manners and a smile, there was no emotional sincerity there at all. She wasn't entirely devoid of emotion she just didn't have the same kind as others might. Mari gently waved a hand and bowed her head, "I took no offense; you are an Elder. You follow your own rules." she said gently, "My day is going well. I was just looking for a present for Trenton. It is a bit difficult as I do not know what to get a being who has lived as long as he has. I fear most items he may have, or have discarded such things out of boredom." she admitted honestly. She tilted her head gently, "What brings you here, Elder? My mother is resting. I can give her a message if you wish. Surely you came for something more interesting than my mundane shopping habits."

[lidija]

Lidija could feel the fear in her as she was spotted, that alone was almost enough to trigger that instinctive need to kill, however she had more self control than that. There was a smirk, showing that the moment had come and gone unmarked. Marina would survive this encounter, though only because Lidija did not need to harm her. Hovering only inches away from Marina, Lidija examined her carefully, as if looking for something she had missed the night before. "I don't see it.." she commented, crossing her arms over her chest for a moment as if trying to take it all in.

"If that would make you more comfortable, then to the Tea shop we go." she said softly, attempting to take hold of Marina's arm. When she was sure no one was watching she would drag them from that spot, to the tea house in the blink of a human eye. At this point she moved so fast that it appeared as if she was teleporting, though those who could sense others might see her movements for what they were. "We have much to discuss and not much time to do so. I fear that I cannot remain here for too much longer." she said calmly, taking a seat.

"It is good to hear you understand this much. It seems your mother and your.. keeper as it were have forgotten that there was once a chain." she said, sounding polite as she did so but since Marina was an empath she would most likely pick up on the rage. Lidija's sole purpose was vengeance, Lucifers vengeance to be exact, all she did was destroy things outside of her own kind. There was no other way for her, nothing she could grasp, it was Vampire dominance or die trying. Leaning backwards in her chair, Lidija listened, and said nothing for quite some time as if trying to figure out an answer to her problem.

"What is it that we all want? The next exciting victim, to find the next kill that excites him or her as much as their first. I don't suppose you are going to run out and arrange that for him?" she asked, lowering her voice as she spoke. As she said it she leaned forward for dramatic effect, a smirk on her face. She knew this woman wouldn't have the stomach to help him kill, from what she saw at the club she was entirely attached to him. This was a problem, she was the embodiment of weakness for him.

Shaking her head and waving her hand dismissingly she sighed. "I have no interest in speaking to your "mother" today. She has made it clear that she is entirely closed to my view on things. You, however, seem quite the reasonable soul. One willing to listen and answer my many, many questions." she said, laughing softly as she folded her hands together. "I am here to discuss with you the disturbance we are all feeling. Sedaiyus' memories showed me your face, you know more than one would assume." she said, tilting her head.

"Who or what has us all stirred up?"

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

Feeling the chill of evening, and realizing the woman in front of her was one of the oldest beings on the planet, Marina stood silent as Lidija examined her. She had the grace not to twitch like a bug under a microscope but there were tremors here and there where she had an uncontrolled muscle spasm, "You do not see what, Elder?" she asked gently, puzzlement in her brown eyes. Whatever it was that she was lacking she didn't know and that bothered her.

For her part, she tried to catch her breath, sitting in a chair and inhaling as she had felt the speed of travel and was unbraced for it. She felt dizzy and disoriented and wanted to throw up but forced herself to take deep calming breaths, abit while white knuckling the table but beggers can't be choosers.

"There has been no one like you in their memory, Elder. Its a bit like being told to move out on your own then having your family decend on you and demanding you listen to them. Sometimes there is still a bit of cheeky rebellion." she offered gently as she picked up on the rage and again resisted the urge to hurl.

"Oh I would not do such. It goes against what I stand for and it would give an indication that he was too incompetent to find his own meal. Something I would not accuse him of." she said honestly as she shook her head and held up a hand and waved it gently, "It is an unusual relationship we have. I will not claim to understand it fully it just is."

"I do my best. Fair warning though, Elder. There are matters I cannot speak of due to my mother being quite firm about boundaries. I do not wish to be torn apart by either of you in my attempt to find a balance between giving you information so you may find out what you wish and maintaining the proper boundaries my mother wishes for me to have." she exhaled, speaking of Pyriel was not outside the bounds of what she could speak on and she sipped water as a waitress dropped it off casually.

"There is an evil Cherubim named Pyriel who seeks to destroy mankind, and the other races so that he can make Earth a paradise for Angel kind. He's quite insane really, he hates us angels as much as anything else but his goals remain the same, wipe humans from the world and enslave the other races to serve angel kind. He's been imprisioned in hell and was released due to a rift in the natural order." she explained and sipped water to help keep her throat from going dry. "I, and a few others of my kind, have been tasked with either bringing him back to sanity and the light or ending his proposed genocide. Ironic given that he IS the Angel of Genocide." she admitted.

"That is who has everyone stirred up. I've spoken to Trenton about it. After all the only thing that Pyriel hates more than humans is demons and vampires. He feels that you are either with him in his plans for wiping out humanity or against him. Given that you feed on humans predominantly it would seem against vampiric interests to side with someone who is proposing to wipe out your food source and you in the process." Diana would probably have a cat but Mari was adamant. Now was not the time for secrets, now was the time for honesty. It might bite her in the ass but she wasn't going to stoop to duplicity to win against Pyriel.

[lidija]

Letting her gaze linger for a bit longer, Lidija waved her hand at Marina. "Nevermind that. I do not have words for what I meant." she said, pondering what she was truly trying to express. She did not see why her kind were so keen on protecting an Angel, something that would simply turn on them if given the order to do so. She was not loyal to them, she was loyal to him and it was he who even created the monster that sat before her today. This was not about Vampires vs Werewolves, nor was it about the continued existance of her species. Lidija wanted them both to burn, the father, his monster, all of it. When she was through, Hell would collapse upon it's self, and Heaven would be torn, screaming, to the ground.

Vengeance, it was all a game of revenge, or perhaps it was more than that. Perhaps she thought she could do it better, that she could make a world of unparrelled pleasure, incredible joy. "They spoke of adapting to survive. If it is true and they possess such a skill they will adapt to this new situation; quickly. I did not travel across the seas to claim their coven, however I will not suffer such disrespect. Perhaps you can make that clear to them." she stated calmly, though her eyes glowed dangerously for a moment. Changing the subject suddenly, she remembered the one they called Trenton.

"This vampire you all call Trenton, he seems familiar to me. What can you tell me about him?" she asked, seeming suddenly interested in him. This would either confuse her or fill Mari with dread no doubt. If a being of ancient power took interest in someone, often it seemed to lead them down a dark path, or so she heard. The Horsemen attacking, yet these people managed to stop them, that was a feat. It meant that Lidija had to tread carefully, not even she herself could have hoped to have stopped them by herself even with all her might. "She would never hurt you, silly girl. I could see it in her eyes when I mentioned this meeting the other night." she said, laughing.

Considering the Cheribims hatred of her kind, it seemed crazy that Lidija would side with him. Yet that did not change how she felt, she would not be unmade, but if she could get him to see her master plan then perhaps he would aid her. In the end their goals were the same, to break all shackles, though she would need a second plan to squeeze him out of it when it was all over. "Is it possible that you might be able to arrange for this being to come to me? I would speak with him myself. If not, tell me, where might I find him?" she asked, her eyes burning with intense interest in the subject.

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

The young woman nodded respectfully, letting her continue on as she would. She shivered in spite of herself. Her instincts screamed to get away from this one. She didn't understand herself but she felt it in her belly there was more than meets the eye with the woman in front of her.

"I shall endeavor to make the matter plain to them, Elder." she nodded her head once in acknowledgement of what was happening around her. She rubbed her temples lightly but focused on Lidija's words intently.

"She may not hurt me, Elder but I don't wish to disrespect the only mother I have known. Still, if you are her "grandmother" of sorts it can't hurt to at least keep you aware of things." she said as she thought about what she could say, "I honestly do not know much about Trenton. I've attempted to help him reconnect with his memories, but he cannot recall the memory of his turning. He has always just been. Sometimes more brutal, sometimes less. It seems cyclical with him. He'll keep composed for a while and then he'll destroy entire buildings of people in a frenzy I don't know what triggers it." she said honestly as she sipped her water and softly sighed, "I stay out of his business as far as that goes. All I know was that we met in a park at night and he didn't eat me. The next thing I knew my father was arraigning for me to marry him. Things got...complicated after that."

"I do not know where Pyriel is, My Lady. He wanted to destroy the world and I objected. He saw me as his enemy after that and I fled because he is my Elder. I would imagine the fact that he came through a rift in time would resonate in his being and you might be susceptible to sensing it given your age but that his the only hint I can offer." she felt her temple pulsing as she looked at the possibilities surround her.

[lidija]

"Vampires have too much pride, you would never get through to them." she said, laughing softly as she placed one hand on top of the other. It had nothing to do with her personally, Vampires were all about their vanity. Even she was guilty of such things, caring more for her appearances than what was going on around her. Trying to think of a way for her to approach the subject delicately, she could find no alternatives as of this current moment. She lacked the information required to truly probe beyond the outer thoughts of Diana and Trenton. Letting out a slow, gentle sigh, Lidija shook her head. Such silly actions that she still automatically, as if she was still alive.

There was a brief smile of recognition, this one was far more reasonable, she could work with this. "You know, somehow I expected you to be as brash and exciteable as your mother. Perhaps this could be the beginning of a partnership, hm?" she offered, picking up a napkin. Removing a pen from her pocket, she started writing something down, if she was to survive she had to adapt as well, on the napkin would be a phone number. "You may reach me at this number, though if I do not answer.. well it is clear that my dinner eludes me." she joked, shaking her head. At least, it seemed like a joke, but anyone who understood the nature of the beast knew that she was being truthful.

"It is possible that someone is blocking his memories." she said, resting her cheek against a closed fist. "Mental blocks can be placed into the mind of others vampires upon creation. The sire, if strong enough, can make them dance like a puppet on strings." she explained, though she figured Marina probably already knew all of this. "It is possible that someone is forcing him to forget and that these violent outbursts are an extension of their will." she said, drumming the fingers on her free hand along the table top. "Perhaps the aggression is not simply his own." she clarified once more.

"As for this angel of yours, I will find him. What do all men with power have in common? Over confidence, they are easy to predict, and ultimately they always destroy themselves in the end. I would not worry about how this will end, we can guess."

[Marina Anne Sinclaire]

"I don't doubt your words, Elder. I have seen the truth of it." she nods her head gently as she spoke with the other woman. Even Trent had his moments of vanity and Diana had chided her a million times to be more confident and to own her space. Truth to tell, part of the problem she was having was due to it as well. Trent's vanity consider considered her to be the perfect foil for him, and therefore, worthy of his attention. The difference was that unlike most, she had the freedom to roam.

"I had the brashness beaten out of me at a young age." she said smoothly, "My father didn't like it." she shrugged and took the number gently, "Would you like me to pass this on to my mother? I will be honest with you and state up front that she is likely to take this from me as soon as she knows I spoke with you." There was no way she was going to be caught between two pissed off vampiresses. Though chances were high she was going to piss one of them off and she'd take bets that surviving Diana was far more likely.

"I had thought of that. Its why I am proceeding with care and only where he is comfortable. If there is a sire compulsion at work here boobie traps are likely as well and I'd really rather not trigger his violence because I got a little too close to unblocking his mind when his sire had other things in mind." she said as she placed the slip of paper in her pockets and steepled her fingers together.

"Perhaps you are right, Elder." she nodded her head as she sipped her water, any other thoughts she might have had were kept to herself as she knew volatile tempers when she saw them. When in doubt keep your opinion to yourself.