A Brian's tale (Star)

Star found the cleverness and resilientness of the Gangrel fascinating, she had no idea that gangrels were so connected to the earth in a way that they could quite literally merge with it to slumber. This was quite impressive and found such a talent to be quite resourceful.

Star hated the slumber, it always left her feeling vulnerable to her surroundings with only the beast within her to keep her company during the day. She always lived in fear when the daytime came and was constantly looking for the most strategicly safest place to hide. She has never had a proper haven, most nights she never slept in the same place twice.
She slumberd either close to her pack mates for comfort and safety, or hidded away in a closet or crawl space when she was alone. The thought of actually sleeping In a bed had become nothing more than a impracticality.


Star was incredibly impressed by her father's story. She seen 1st hand how much of a bad ass he was, but she truly never knew the full extent of his badass'ory. She listened to his tale like a child listening to their parent telling them a bed-time story, smiling and getting excited about all of the juicy parts.

It moved her quite emotionally to know that her father really did try to come back, looking for her... And if she hadn't ran away they might have been reunited sooner. Star wondered what her life may have been like..... would she have become a ghoul or even a gangrel? Could she survive the things that Her father's sire put him thought? Could she live as a animal.... She didnt think she could.
Sure she could survive and even thrive  on the City Streets of the Concrete Jungle, but in the actual wilderness, living away from civilization? Such thoughts scared her, and she could not believe that her father adopted so well to it all.

Star then wondered what her father must have thought when he returned only to find her gone, and her mother never went looking for her. Her mother simply moved on like Star never exsisted and re-maried to get a sugar-daddy.... At least this is what Star believes.

Star couldn't believe that her father fought a werewolf and won,  this was a amazing feat! Star loved hearing about this, and felt very proud to be his daughter.

Though she realized after hearing his story that she would never be able to cast a shadow as large as his. She would never be able to do the things that he has done in his unlife. He was a great warrior, so much more then she was, or she could ever hope to be.  Perhaps it was in his blood, or perhaps the world had shaped him this way... She couldn't tell.
But even though Star knew she could never walk in her father's foot steps, she hoped that at least what ever she desides to do with her unlife she could at least make him proud of her.

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"So that's why you go by the title of Hell Song....that's so freaking Awesome!... It really does suit you Dad!"

I doubt I could ever preform such amazing feats. You truly are a badass... I'm proud to have you as my dad.... You really turned into a amazing warrior..
I might not be able to cast a shadow as big as you do, But I hope one night I could at least make you proud of me .  
"
She said honestly

"I felt the same way about Gabriel Claw of Pain. He was to me what Jezebelle is to you now.
He just made me feel unadquate //

▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
" So that guy scared the hell out of you too huh..... I really don't like Jezebella, She scares the F*ck out of me...

Though thinking back on it....Guess she got her point across... Respect through fear I understand that .. especially coming from the Sabbat....
Humm... She must have understood me more then I understood myself... And in a way I admire her....
Just f*ck... Don't tell her I said that... Ok? ."
Star said softly as she looks back on the situation with a different perspective...

// I found strength in that and I fought back to earn the Clan respect."

Star tilted her head in question
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"Earning Respect  for your Clan?... Not just yourself?...That's a big deal huh?
Doubt very much i'll ever do that with the Ventrue... not unless I suddenly become some Big Wall Street Tycoon earning billions of dollars on the stock market ... ha ha ha."
Star said with a laugh
"I'm a  scum-bag drug dealer, and I probably after my choice of hunting style have earned me a few other titles on the street... Ha ha ha
I'm Nothing Clan Ventrue will find glorifying that's damn sure.
Star shook her head and laughed.

Star listened to her father explaine the things he knew about what was going on In the city and the threats they have found we're only the tip of the iceberg.
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"Jezzuz...god.. That ain't good.
If Xavier that justicar guy got messed up to that degree... It makes you wonder what the hell he ran into.."
She said with some surprise.

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" All the things that happened in the sewers, you think that it could be leading to something bigger?... 
She said giving a pause in thought as she tries to take in the bigger picture and get a new perspective

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".... Dad... you said that thing in the sewers was intelligent.... Why was it there?.... It wasn't there before.... if it was the Nosferatu would have known about it long before they fell victim...
Hummm.... Where did it come from..? Why is it here? 
Star said more so thinking out loud than anything else...

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" What about the Nosferatu... How are they holding up? Certainly the whole clan could not have been wiped out in the sewers. Was Lord Astor able to gain any more information on the matter from the Lone Survivor of that incident?  
I would have been interested in hearing what happened.... but um... I was terrified of Jezebel and losing my head.....

I mean all this is completely over my pay grade... I'm just a fledgling,..but I do find it interesting... knowledge is power after all... "
She said knowing that there is absolutely nothing she can do to help in the situation, but she does find it interesting. Kind of like how a human would be interested in world affairs and watch CNN for info on world events.

not unless I suddenly become some Big Wall Street Tycoon earning billions of dollars on the stock market ... ha ha ha."

Brian giggle then said.
"I know some Ventrue are exactly like that, may be most of them but to be totally honest the ones I have had to work with are just venomous snakes that even the Followers of Seth fear.

Clan Ventrue controls the Serpents of Darkness and therefore all drug deals and human traffic in America. The scale of our operations with the Salvatrucha is almost insignificant for them, still I'm sure they're thirsty for our deal with the MS-13 as well."

" What about the Nosferatu... How are they holding up? Certainly the whole clan could not have been wiped out in the sewers

Brian's reaction made Star believe that was exactly what happened. Then he said.
"That's way over my pay check as well but for what I know Nosferatu Clan as a whole, Primogen included are captured in their secret underground complex. The Spiders trapped them there two nights ago.

The one we found was one of many that tried to escape from the spiders. I can imagine they have bulked their forces near that underground compound to keep them under control until they starve and kill eachother."

He stared at Becca and continued.
"Becca we have much to do. I want you to be ready for Astor, we have just a few nights before that meeting and I'm sure that he will vouch your presentation to Prince Bright if you perform well that night.

That'd be good for you and might grant you some Status even in the Ventrue Clan."

"I know some Ventrue are exactly like that // the ones I have had to work with are just venomous snakes that even the Followers of Seth fear

▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
" ugh... That comforting to know "
She said sarcastically
" who are these Followers of Set? I heard their name mentioned once before... Sounds like a cult or something.

Clan Ventrue controls the Serpents of Darkness and therefore all drug deals and human traffic in America.

▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
" human traficing...?. like what exactly are we talking about?....
Like sex slaves, underage children, child porn, prostitutes and stuff?... ewew..
Isn't that like super illegal in America. Not to mention just a little f*cked up ?"
Star said questioning.
"what is the Serpent's of Darkness?

Brian's reaction made Star believe that was exactly what happened. Then he said.
"//for what I know Nosferatu Clan as a whole, Primogen included are captured // them there two nights ago.// near that underground compound to keep them under control until they starve and kill eachother."

Star's expression turn to horror..
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" Dear god... That is some next level blood sports right there.....even for Sabbat standards.  "
She said with some shock.
"the Prince... He will send people to rescue them right?.... Be for that happens?... I can't see anyone just letting this stand by and go one... Not when there is a whole clan in danger.


Star felt odd hearing this news, she actually felt a little sorry for the clan of uglies being held prisoner by those monsters, forced into starvation and then probably killing brothers, sisters and childr  just to survive. It was quite a disturbing thought.

Becca we have much to do. I want you to be ready for Astor, we have just a few nights before that meeting and I'm sure that he will vouch your presentation to Prince Bright if you perform well that night.

Star nodded...
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" I think I still have a lot to learn, but I think I have a good understanding of these Traditions and how a Kindred of the Camarilla should act and behave.... Well For the most part. "
She said with a small shrug.
"I need to make sure I shine during that meeting. Its something I can not f*ck up.
I need to prove I am ready to join the Cam.... And leave my past behind me. Not really a easy task, but I'm up for the challenge.... always moving forward right !?
She said with a smile.
"just help me go over what's expected of me and the things I need to know.

That'd be good for you and might grant you some Status even in the Ventrue Clan."

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"Status with my Clan?.... That I'm assuming it's an important thing...yeah?
..... I honesty don't know the first thing about them I will admit. I only know what I have been told... and honestly nothing of it has really been good.... You say they are venomous... I'm a little scared.

I mean even in life I didn't know what the proper Fork to eat with was....Hee-Hee I'm not blue-blood material...  "
Star said with a little laugh...
".... I guess trying to stay under the Clan's radar isn't going to be an option... especially and I'll have to present myself to the Prince at some point... And he is a Ventrue.

Ugh peachy.. Why did it have to be Ventrue of all the clans I could have lucked into. You know the Prince might possibly see me as a personal insult against HIS clan and just have me killed..... that thought is always bouncing around in my head
Star said expressing some of her exaggerated fears. 

Star didn't have a lot of self-esteem, and her fears are already compounded with the fact that she knew that she didn't live up to what she believed the Ventrue clan was all about.And she knew having no lineage, or sire to speak of would only add to the Clans Prejudice of her, that on top of being a lowlife Street Criminal as she sees herself.

The Followers of Seth.. the Serpents of Darkness... Serpents of Light... are all the same. A bunch of fanatic vampires that believe that they come from the womb of Seth the Epytian God of Chaos. //.

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" ahh peachy... A group of fanatical vampires that have been drinking the Malkavian Kool-Aid for too long.... Got'cha"
She said thinking the Follower's ideology or beliefs to be kind of insane.

Before Prince Bright // these snakes// own-/ the harbors, /traffic, from substances /weapons /humans, mortal or kindred alike. // now they supply the blood, specific types or general amounts that Ventrue Clan needs for the Elysiums and their own ranks."

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"ah beautiful, it's nice to know that the Ventrues as about as dirty as everyone else.... I guess those tailor-made 1000$ suits that they wear hide their filth ...."
Star said shaking her head
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"  I guess that explains why the clan is not extinct... Hee-Hee one would have to be in the business of human trafficking ... It kind of makes sense especially when you have issues finding the proper prey.... speaking from experience that is quite the hard task .. Doesn't exactly make it right though... But who am I to judge... No one is going to give a sh!t what I think anyway  
She said with a laugh. Star didn't think human trafficking was completely right , though she did understand the possible need for it ... especially when it was so hard to find the proper Prey type for herself. She still has many issues feeding, and only has a vague notion of exactly the type of prey she needs. She knew it would take many more nights of guesswork to at least get it right. This was one of the things she actually despised about being a Ventrue. Star couldn't believe that she couldn't just feed normally and that her beast was a little picky b!tch.
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" what exactly is Elysium? That's the meeting ground for all the Clans right? A place where there is no physical conflict, and all the Elders Meet and talk about Vamp'y buisness or something?.... I've heard the term... just not quite sure what it is.... When I was in the Sab some thought it was a vulnerable point to attack... that is if they could ever find where the place was.... something that supposedly wasn't an easy task..
Like I said they'll most that stuff was above my paygrade... I didn't ask too many questions about it."
She said honestly.



▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
"  oh and speaking of such...
No dad... Feeding is NOT better then sex.
Hunting... Oh I love that part! Feeding.. No.. Not 100% enjoyable experience...

Don't get me wrong the blood taste great and all as long as I'm drinking from the right type... But the shared emotion thing... I could live with out that.
How can you stand that? Ugh... The sadness... The hate... Its toxic... And not in a good way. "

It's true that the last two experiences Star had with feeding we're not exactly the best ones. She doesn't like the emotional connection I felt between prey and herself. She likes to be in control of her feelings and be able to shut them off when needed  and hates when they're brought to the surface unannounced. It makes her  feel quite vulnerable And she feels that when she feeds it's completely like a gamble, rolling the dice every time to see what emotion she will feel next, this seems to bother her more than she can put into words.

The proper thing to do is to summon the Nosferatu Justicar and the other Nosferatu from around the continent but after what happened with Xavier, I don't know if that summon would remain unanswered.

Star fell silent at hearing this, it stirred up a strange emotion of sadness in her.
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" ... they will be written off as casualties of War I suppose.... I can only imagine how they're feeling, knowing that it's only a matter of time before the end... Before the beast has then eat each other...  living every night holding onto hope for help that will never come. "
Star felt genuinely sad for the Nosferatu, but she also knows the standing of the Prince. A man In his position must weigh the Needs of the many over the needs of the few. Its those tough decisions that need to be made in order to maintain the whole of the Camarilla.


Ventrue take this to a whole new level, I've heard they have a Senate with ranks and positions, they have laws and constitutions, legal system on their own and traditions on their own. The ranks I've heard are Praetor and Lictor but might be dozens more."

"Venomous but not treatcherous, unlike Followers the Ventrue clan has Honor and they are serious about that.

Star raise an eyebrow at hearing this, she would not think that the Venture would be very honorable at all at least from everything that she is heard

You should be strict and discipline at all times that's the key for success, you may ignore a lot but if you're true to your principles and honourable in your behavior they'll respect you."

Star stayed silent and thought about this, wondering if it was true. In truth she was terrified of them, she knew that she was a "accident". She thought herself to be a disappointment from the start, and she was just trying to survive. Now she had a opportunity to basically start her unlife over with the Camarilla... well at least to some degree. She was going to definitely try not to mess it up, though finding a way to prove her self worthy to her clan seemed like a nearly impossible task.

Ventrue take this to a whole new level, I've heard they have a Senate with ranks and positions, they have laws and constitutions, legal system on their own and traditions on their own. The ranks I've heard are Praetor and Lictor but might be dozens more."

This made Star a bit worried hearing this...
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" So... not only do they have the laws of the Camarilla they follow, but they have their own political structure within their Clan?....
F*ck.... Yeah I'm never going to fit in... A politician I am not. Hee-Hee

So many titles and ranks and things....
How important is all this truthfully?
Is it something that I'm going to need to concern myself with? I mean don't get me wrong I'm used to being on the lowest part of the totem pole.... I don't see how that's going to be any different in the Cam.

But.... I know this might sound really bad to say .. so you'll have to forgive me . but I want your honest opinion..... How important is Clan to a Vampire?...
I know it sounds a bit silly to ask,... But.. In the Sabbat ...  The Pact was the most important part, it was our family, it was the people we were bound to by blood and honor. Are brothers in arms, if they succeeded we succeeded and the other way around
The Camarilla... They don't have packs.... So I'm kinda at a loss here.
"
Star said as she struggled to find a comparison That she could understand. She had never had the same experience that the Camarilla Kindred have about knowing their sire, knowing their Clan, and finding their place within it. Those things were denied from her .... she was never given the opportunity and now feels lost at trying to comprehend it all

It's a concept more than a place, big cities like New York have many Elysiums. Each is a sanctuary.

Star tilts her head
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" hummm so its not a place per say, maybe that's why they were having trouble finding it.. Interesting."

I know Gunn. He is so stiff that can make the Mistress uncomfortable." he laughts.
"He is the Keeper of the Ivory Tower, I think that's how Sabbats know NYC, isn't it?"

Star nods her head to her father
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" yeah... The Ivory Tower ....
And Really???? Gunn is that strict?... Damn remind me never to piss him off if he is THAT bad ...eh"

Brian looks Becca with disgust in his face, the kind you see when some one drinks pure lemon.

Star looks at her father confused.
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" What??... You can't sit there and tell me you actually enjoy it... can you?.... Sure blood tastes nice and all... and of course we need it to survive... But the whole emotional experience leaves a lot to be desired..
"
She said with great disgust in her voice.
▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
" When I feed from that human.. It was like sucking down HELL. So much anger and rage, I felt every bit of it stir within Me....  I hated everything.... The humans, the vampires, the Cam and Sabbat... I hated Mom.. maybe even more than I normally do.... And even in that moment I hated you.
How in the hell can you actually enjoy something like that..... I wanted to damn near rampage.

No thank you... Ill take sex over that ANYDAY!  
I swear if I didn't have to worry about getting killed due to frenzying in public .... I would only feed when I was starving.... or just sustain myself off of vampiric blood... never had those problem before... "
Star said in all seriousness

Ventrue are extremly zealous about their kind, even with the lowest rank, they do care about their blood.

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" so... What does that mean?... The Ventrue are going to think I'm their's or something?
Just 'cuz some ass-hat "accidentally" created me doesn't mean the I'm the Clans property ... I mean .. Dose it?"
Star seemed worried and confused.

You'll learn to trust them and to distrust us in time."

▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
"What?? No way!... Why? Why would I distrust you... Clearly if the Gangrel wanted me dead Lord Astor would have ordered it my now. My life is in his hands...or Claws I should say Hee-Hee

 And besides you in particular, you're my dad. I trust you with my life. I might have some sh!t-head Ventrue's blood running threw me, but that don't mean I'm suddenly going to going to turn into some kinda stuck-up blue blood!
That's a bit of a stretch of the imagination Dad.
 
Star said with a laugh, reassure her father that she was not going to turn into the stereotypical Ventrue.
"I minght have their blood ,  but I am of YOUR flesh! Nothing can change that dad!
 



▂▂▂▂▂▂STAR▂▂▂▂▂▂
" besides Dad... why the hell would I ever trust these guys, they seem slimy as all hell.
I mean I'm not the best judge of character by far, but from everything I've heard from them... "extreme zealots", fascist and "hypocrites"... They are Probably not a good thing. "

Brian stood up and went to hug his daugther. He kissed her forehead and holding her tight he says.
"Ventrue are your family, not a substitute of me. Just another type of family. You and I will always be together but you must accept what you're now."

Star didn't want to admit it, but she was quite scared.
She would have to trust in Her father's words as she always had. His words would always guide her true.

Star returned her fathers hug and smiled at him..
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" its .. Not a easy thing... To except I'm actually one of them...  But I trust you... I will try to accept them then as my family... I try to accept what I am..  "

[End scene]