[Flashback] Star at the Ivory Tower seeking David

Star made her way across Manhattan to Trump Towers.
She had a lot of things on her mind this night and sought council with her sire David.
She had always trusted in his judgment and hoped he could shed some light on where she should go from here.

Star dressed less casually than normal, knowing that she would be entering Elysium and be in company of her clan. Besides if she dressed "too casual"  like her usual look with torn jeans, boots and a hoodie she might never get through the door, she thought.
So tonight she sported a casual black dress, handbag and black suede Pirate style dress boots

With the "blush" active, Star passed through the security check and entered the main lobby of the building. She paused for a moment watching the mortals go about their nightly business completely unaware of the hidden world of kindred that ran things behind the scene.

Star wonders how many of the mortals she saw were "ghouls" And how being a ghoul had changed their lives.
Star knew that Ghouls were extremely common among her clan. Though some of her clan treated them as "pets" like a dog or cat, only more useful. And "some" treated ghouls as far worse, using them for their sick and twisted games of depravity.
Now Star was no angel, but she didn't see herself as a complete dick ether. Star didn't want to put someone through that and she didn't want to just rip someone away from their life ether. The whole process seemed extremely conflicting and she needed to ask David for help to get a better understanding on the matter.

" Maybe I can do all this without a ghoul… do I really need one?" she thought as she made her way to the elevator.
" would make things easier… Wouldn't it?"

Star took particular note of the added security upgrade of the building. She had usually always been extremely aware of the different tactical layouts of the places she was in, taking mental notes of exits,cameras, mirrors, vantage points and other structural elements of interest, even in some cases counting her steps down winding corridors. A tactic that paid off to her benefit in the past many times over.

Though the new "high tech" equipment upgrade didn't really come to much of a shock to her. The Ivory Tower was after all the heart of kindred society, and with all that had happened within the last few months it was really no surprise that things got upgraded.


Star held a friendly smile on her face when she was greeted by who she could only imagine was David's new secretary.

She greeted the woman accordingly and followed her lead to David's new office. Along the way she smiled, taking note of his family crest being displayed.

"Finally he is getting some proper recognition around here, Hee-Hee" she thought silently to herself as she walked along. Star couldn't help but wonder just how life in the gilded cage of the Ivory Tower was compared to the large open spaces of the chess club. Part of Star missed that place. Though she knew from a both of political and tactical standpoint being at Trump Towers was a far better position.


Star entered David's office and glanced around, holding a bright smile on her face once she played eyes on her sire.

David said.
"Good evening Rebecca, so nice to see you...

Thank you Laura, you're dismissed.

Star politely gave a small head bob to the exciting woman, silently thanking her for escorting her to see David.

As soon as the woman was gone Star's smile grew and she took on a relaxed demeanor around her Sire, knowing there was no need for ventrue showmanship.

She made a small "whistle" sound and gave a soft giggle.

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" [whistles] Wow, my my my look at all this, so spiffy! Hell you even have a secretary And a Office!
I see they are treating you well nowadays …  Good'on ya, it's about damn time.
hee-hee"

Star greeted David in a very friendly manner
" Thanks for making time to see me. It's good to see you again David, been wonder'n just how life in the Tower has treated ya. So what's your official title now? Surely that has been upgraded with everything else around here hee-hee"
Star said playfully In her usual laid-back tone.

David smiles at Star and with a false air of superiority he replies.
"You're mistaken Eiren... I have three…

Star smiled brightly and took on a playful tone to her words
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" oh my 3 you say? My my They do keep you busy my dear Sire … Hee-Hee
Good'on ya."

"It is very pleasant to be appreciated. Thank you Childe."

Star took on a more sincere tone
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" Well I do worry about you Sire."
She said warmly before taking on a smirk
" I'm sure they keep you quite busy, sadly I very much doubt that this place has a dojo … Let alone a proper gym that could take a beating away from mortal eyes.

Star paused and brought a finger to her chin in a mock-thought gesture.

"honestly I'm not even sure what they have here… Well besides an overpriced mall, hotel sweets  and a bunch of business offices. Oh and a Star Bucks Hee-Hee
Star said more as a light joke then actually concerned with the "types" of businesses in the tower.

// Tribune of Sabbat affairs in service of the Ephorate Lictor Baroness Meredith Krauss. Do you remember her?

Star gave a nervous smile
" eh.. Yes.. How could one forget… Though I might try
Star said that last part under breath through gritted teeth. That night was not one of Star's finest moments.

Lady Lucinde appointed her as Lictor of Domain Protection and since last week, my superior.

"..ouch"
Star said very softly, making a mental note to avoid this woman.

"Justicar Lucinde is conducting an investigation here in the City and Lady Krauss is her emissary in our Domain..."

" well... I do hope they find whatever they are looking for and have their business concluded… Without incident."

Hayworth starts walking away to look outside by the window.
"They are watching us Rebecca, Meredith will want to know if you had learn Decorum as I promised to her mistress."

Star moved to the window and looked out at the city alongside her Sire.

Star took on a somber tone,
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" yes. I'm aware. Guess I have always been in a away.

though i'm not used if i am where they would desire me to be… I think I have been growing. I have definitely noticed changes in how I handle myself compared to before.
I don't let my emotions rule me as much as before…

I know when to speak and when to be silent. It seems no matter where I go I am always on the battlefield, though I have learned not all the things I struggle with are fought with force, but with action or inaction, words or silence.
I'm not perfect, but the effort is there."
Star said softly, reflecting back on her previous behavior.

Star looked at David as he changed the subject.

"I heard that you have selected a property on SoHa, congratulations!

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" thank you, I think I selected the perfect haven for myself.. And a thriving business adventure!

The property was an old bank of all places and has a Giant safe in the basement.
I'm making that my resting chamber. Though it's ironically funny to me ..  A Ventrue resting in a bank safe… I don't know if I find that extremely humorous.
Though it's also practical.  Its underground safe from the sun, there is like 2 feet of solid concrete on top of it and the safe itself is reinforced. Hell a bomb could go off and I think I would be perfectly safe from harm in there. Hee-Hee

At 1st I was thinking a lot on what to do with the rest of the space when I was 1st offered the place.

I flirted with various ideas as to what could bring in some revenue
I was originally thinking maybe a bar or pool hall. But something in me nagged at me, IT wasn't good enough. I have ambitions! I didn't want to just run some dive bar that would mix into the local scenery.
I want something that would not only benefit the area, but maybe raise the property value."

Star paused as those last words crossed her lips, she caught herself speaking unusually from her old self who would have not really cared about such things, maybe what David said about the blood taming her was truer then she had thought, though never realized It until the words left her mouth.
She looked at her own reflection in the glass window and smirked at her beast.
"
So from that the idea of StarLight was born.
I've been working on turning the top two levels into a hot new nightclub. Hee-hee

It is a very busy zone and will be great to have your eyes there in the center of the action. Probably Sheriff Haquim will be your more assiduous customer for what I've heard." he smirks.

Star brightened up and turned her head in question
"Haquim? You think so? Nice! I love that guy, it will be nice to see him again… At least in perhaps a nonofficial business manner.
I got plans, Sire, big plans.

Though… That's kinda what I wanted to ask you about.

I am well aware of the dangers of having a mortal'ish business above my resting chamber. And I'm sure I'm going to need to be super careful.. Especially with my staff.
Though there are going to be things I am not going to be able to handle business wise.
I'm in need of a good GM.
Not really sure how to go about hiring one to run my business and keep my "lifestyle" a complete Secret.

And I'm not gonna lie.. I'm kinda scared there..
I don't want to accidentally break the Masquerade and have this guy … And probably me destroyed.

I'm already taking precautions about the club's design. Hidden stairwells, passages and no reflective surfaces! None at all.

From the counters, to smoked dishware and dull steal. I'm even looking into Black non-reflective mirrored glass.  

I mean this place is gonna be a damn Lasombra's wet dream Hee-Hee I just can't take the risk of mortals seeing my reflection.

Star paused and looked at her Beast's reflection in the window glass again.

so.. I guess my question is more along the lines of advice… and to ask about your thoughts on a ghoul.. Maybe?

Star watched her sire's movements and listened carefully to all that he was saying.
 It seems that the whole process was a very serious matter that Only the Prince himself could authorize. Though Finding out that a ghoul is far more then just "hired help" and in fact a person who would could would be in a position to truly "know her" caused Star a bit more fear then having to ask for  proper permission.

// he will also have access to your private life, just by being close to you he will start to know your habits and weaknesses, as well as those kindreds that spend time around you."

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" ..... That..close?.… I see"
She paused and thought about what this ment.
She dragged her thumb nail along the inner side of her palm as she remained silent in thought.

" .. I know they are not like pets, they are people. And I'll be held responsible for their fuck ups. I guess as much as I knew of the danger to the masquerade, I didn't consider the "personal" danger.
I mean I really dont like sharing my personal life with anyone I dont know... Even less that I can fully trust.
I really do need help with this... And I would be greatful for any help given.
.

I have seen your progress and how well you have evolved. I'd consider to vouch your request if: you can show me on black and white, pen and paper, what are you looking for in a Ghoul.

Star smiled at hearing this, it truly had her happy to hear that David had noticed her efforts and growth.  She gave a happy little head nod, trying not to look like a little kid that got their parent's OK.

Also you must come to learn about the Discipline of Domination: to know how the mind works and how to exert your will is paramount to control a Ghoul.

She tilted her head slightly in question.
She knew she had only practiced the discipline a little, a word here or there. She wind red just how it could be applied to "controlling a ghoul". It seemed that there was still stuff she had yet to learn.

When you achieve both I will set a meeting with Lord Valentine to make the request. What do you say?"

Star smiled brightly, taking this as a new test to compile at for her growth both as a kindred and as a person.

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" Thank you so much Sire, I would like that very much. "

Star paused thinking
" Sire... I know that there is still many things I do not yet know about our clan's disciplines or about Ghouls for that matter ... Or how our discipline effects them.

What would you suggest be my next course of action? How can I learn about these things?
She asked, Valuing her sires wisdom greatly

My first advice would be to find a boyfriend, other than our clanmate of course,

Star blushed at hearing this, being that the "blush of life" was already active, the young vampiress' cheeks flushed slightly pinkish red at the reffrence to Phillip.

I mean a human toy. You don't need to make it sexual but making (him) believe he has a future next to you is a very safe way to know how to handle a Ghoul.

Star's jaw just about dropped when she heard her sire say this. She tilted her head to him as though to silently ask "are you being serious?"

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" .....a toy?..
So you suggest I find some Mortal to wrap around my little finger and toy with their mind and emotions? And I'm sure it might turn sexual... Im hardly a prude. Though I hate to admit sex just isn't the same anymore... Well unless I use my fangs. But that's something  completely different altogether.
She said thinking back to that drug dealer in the ally and her 1st time with Phillip.

Star ran her hand through her long hair
"I'm not opposed to this.. hell I'm not a saint or anything, I mean I do get a kick out of fucking with people..but Jezzuz Sire, that's a bit dark.... Hee-hee


I mean I have had a lot of time to reflect on my dislike of mortals and work passed it.  Getting nearly destroyed at the hands of a werewolf and waking up at so high-tech hospital surrounded by normal mortals who seemed to actually be really caring about my recovery. Well let's just say it has kind of put some things in the New Perspective for me. But this kind of sounds a little on the side of being malicious.  "
Star said, not that she was completely opposed to doing it. She was just pointing out how "dark" the idea was when said out loud.

The emotions a ghoul feel are very similar to those of a sexual relationship, even more closer to what poets describe as True Love. ."

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" .... A ghoul really could feel like that to a Vampire? Our blood is that.... ... Toxic?.... Um. "
Star struggled to find just the right word to use as a flood of questions entered her mind and she had to make a decision which one to ask first on the matter.
" wha- do.. All ghouls feel so strongly this way?… is there a cure?
Star paused letting herself catch up with her thoughts. Maybe it was the Ventrue in her that caused her to pause, gather her thoughts on what she wanted to say, and speak a bit more properly.


"I'm Sorry .. that didn't come out right...
I meant to ask.. What happens when Ghouls no longer are needed? Do they go back to being normal mortals again?
Doesn't becoming a ghoul and having their lives altered by kindred have some long lasting effects?

I recall meeting a Ghoul at the Chess Club,
Harold I believe his name was. I usually don't like humans all that much. But him.. Him I liked. I remember him telling me he was quite old, though like us. You could not tell by looking at him.
"

// Therefore, having a relationship with the mortal make the Bound believable and stronger.
// you'd be both the thing he wants the most and the only thing he can't never have, not truly, never entirely

"so.. You are  also suggesting that whoever I choose as my ghoul... I should probably be in some kind of mock-relationship with, to help keep them loyal?
Wow... This really did take quite a dark turn now didn't it. Hee-Hee
Star said giving a slight chuckle
[color=#00ff99]"damn... This ghoul stuff is really going to fuck someone's life up isn't it? Damn... "

After a short pause he says.
"For the Dominate discipline part come meet me every night for the next month and I will train you in the Arete of Kings to Dominate Mind and Soul." he sentences with a self assurance that was overwhelming.

Star felt her Sire's words weigh on her and she gave a acknowledged nod.
The phrase to Dominate Mind and Soul lingered in her mind, and she wondered just how powerful her clan's  discipline truly was in practice. And she was a bit excited to find out.

As David spoke, Star seemed to ponder over every word, every truth to what it was to be a kindred and "own" a ghoul.
Ineed she learned that ghouls are not merely employed staff and stewarts to vampires, but truly they were their emotionally brain washed slaves. Completed to this behavior through Vitea and Manipulation. This realization made since now why so many Ventrue refer to them as pets.
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" .... So  basically they become emotionally dependent on a Kindred.
Doing anything to make the kindred happy?

So hypothetically if a kindred told their ghoul to… I dont know..…  masturbate with a cheese grater 'cuz it would please the kindred. They would do it? you know what.. I dont even… Never mind.  

But What if they become psychotic? All stalker'ish?
Like building shrines to your image in their closet, stilling your panties or stalking all those who have contact with, killing them off one by one so you will ONLY have them in your life.

Star questioned, her sick and twisted side getting the better of her before she paused.
" sorry, I think I have been watching too many late night crime movies… Hee-Hee

But seriously if it came to that...
Do I need permission to kill a bitch? Hee-Hee
It doesn't count against the 6th tradition does it… since you know they're not truly kindred.

The art of it comes to keep that control with a soft grip, without much effort, to the point of having him or her wanting, sincerely, to be yours.

Star raised a eyebrow at this, very intrigued.

That's what I want you to practice as I trained you also in the Art of Domination."

Star gives a nod of acknowledgment to this.
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" OK.. Sounds good"

"They become a little like us, // stop aging // become resilient to damage, disease and poison.// learn// our Disciplines .

Star gave a smile
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" Really? Then they are not as squishy as I thought. No wonder they fought beside us during the ChessClub attack"
Star paused thinking back to that night.

On the down side they also inherit our clan quirks, also a resemblance of the Beast. The most of our blood they are fed, more intensely they show all these disadvantages."

Star snapped out of her thoughts and puzzled over this.

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" our disadvantages?... Like what? Our   prefrance for luxury and picky eating habits? Hee-Hee that's not a disadvantage Hee-Hee its sophistication"
Star said clearly as a lighthearted joke.

Harold is very old for a mortal, also well versed in some of the Disciplines of the Clan but that's because he belong to a lineage of Ghouls, I believe he's the sixth generation of ghouls in his family."

Star was surprised to hear this.
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" A lineage? Like families of ghouls? That's interesting.. I didn't know such a thing existed. So ghouls can still have children. Humm. "

"You got to have the ability to trigger the Ghoul's loyalty at will. The mockery of a relationship is totally up to you, as I mentioned there's no need to actually become romantic or even sexual but certainly those are tools that are useful to establish a trustworthy relationship with someone."

Star gave David a coy playful grin
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"oh dear Sire, a good warrior always uses all their tools in their Arsenal hee-hee"
Star had no qualms about making things romantic or sexual, as long as she GOT what she wanted.

David smiles with a grin of malice in silence.

Star matched his grin and shakes her head
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" Call me twisted, but I have a feeling this is going to be a bit fun hee-hee"