She crossed into the library quickly, shutting the door behind herself. Meredythe was seated on the long couch in front of the fireplace, staring into the flames. "Is Julianna around or can we talk?"
A snort was the only reply. The gentle southern lady vanished though and was replaced with the far more ancient Kindred she knew so well.
"I wish I could do that...are you sure you are Brujah and not Toreador? I really wonder sometimes." Suneyva stepped into the room, her first question already answered. "Is this going to be one of those one sided conversations we have, or do I get some answers this time, Sasha."
"You will get some answers if you ask the right questions. I asked Julianna to allow us some time alone tonight. I think she went to Illusions with Ben. She will take care of him I'm sure." The elder Kindred, known by most as Meredythe, shook her head. "You do know how to pick good Childer at least. Even Jesse has many good qualities. It is too bad that none of then have been able to join you in the Hand though..." She trailed off, looking deeply into the fire again.
"Never mind. I guess that is a different talk. We can have it tomorrow night if you like though? I'll ask Julianna to check on Jesse and Paul for you at the cabin." Sasha smiled softly. "You know we could have a lot of fun in this old house, all by ourselves...there are probably gateways here that even you haven't found yet? Shall we search, or are you ready to talk now."
"Am I getting an invitation to ask questions then? I only have a few right now, though if you allow me more time I am certain to find others." Suneyva dropped her own mask, allowing herself to find that inner spark that was hidden. Her own identity within the Camarilla was close to her real existence, but there were differences that Sasha could easily find. "There are other things that I wish to speak with you on tonight I fear."
"I know. Ben and Jesse, right? This won't wait until tomorrow, then?" Sasha smiled. "Even those of us who remain in Enoch see through you, Synneve. You are a good Qadi to us, but you would make a terrible addition to the Council of Thirteen. You still have that softness that we can not afford any longer. It is treasured because of its rarity. You will grow cold too, if you are lucky."
The Gangrel shook her head roughly. "No. I cannot lose that. If I forget what it is to hurt how will I be able to save those children. Why would I desire to help the ones like Ben." She rubbed her eyes for a moment. "All those children, just thrown away. It isn't like the old days when we could steal most of them away to Enoch. Back then there were more options. Others had the means to help us, even if they didn't know that it was help. Maybe more beings cared about humanity then."
"Don't do that, you'll smear your eye make-up." Sasha laughed shortly. "As if..." Come on. You can be weak with me, remember. I knew you back in the days you were a little neonate lost in the wilderness of Europe. I know you better than anyone and I know what you want to do now."
Synneve sat up straighter. "Oh really? And what would that be?"
Sasha looked at her charge carefully. "At this moment...I think that you either want to cry or go kick some stupid Kine's ass. Or both, perhaps?"
A small sniffle and Synneve was curled up against her former Watcher, "I guess you do know me. I want to go find all of the abusers I can and prevent them from hurting anyone ever again. A little violence wouldn't hurt...me."
"Well, maybe when you can move again we can go out and patrol the streets for a bit. A good old fashioned hunt for Kine predators. But until then we can spend a little time upstairs." Sasha pushed her friend away so that she could stand. "If you want to talk about Jesse and Paul we can. If you have questions to ask about my presence here, we can do that to. However, if you want to do...other things...well, let's just say that I would be very enthusiastic." She smiled and held out a hand.
Synneve didn't hesitate for a second, taking the offered hand and the help to stand. "I'll have to think about that," she wiped her cheek, but managed a small wink as well.
+
Jesse had called home early in the evening, while Paul was still in the shower. He needed to get away if only for one night...Julianna would help him. "Please, just stay with him tonight. He can't leaven and if I don't get out of here I think I might say something to hurt him."
Julianna was quiet for a moment. "I thought that you were getting along again? More problems?"
He sighed, "Not new ones...just not enough of the solutions I guess. Plus I really need to take care of Ben. He must be wondering where I am or what he is supposed to be doing when you all are so busy these days." He paused. "Is Meredythe still there? She and Suneyva are friends too, right? If they wanted to catch up on old times..."
"They have been. I spend a lot of time at the clubs so I suppose the cabin isn't any worse. I'll be there in about one hour. You can tell Paul why I get to babysit for him tonight though. I don't need to deal with troublesome Childer...but maybe I can help him."
"I think so. There are things he doesn't want to tell me yet. Maybe he can tell those things to you. Thank you Julianna, this means a lot to me. You've always helped me. I don't know what I'd do without you." He spoke the last bit softly and said goodbye quickly as Paul approached.
"Who was that?" The young Gangrel wrapped both arms around his Sire. "One of your Kine?"
Jesse shook his head, "No. Julianna is going to be here in a bit to spend some time with you." He pulled away. "I'm sorry Paul, I know how you must feel about being stuck out here, but I have to get away for a while and she said that she would come out."
"Oh, is that the way it is going to be? I can't leave at all, but you can...and I get stuck with whomever will take me?"
"No. She can help you...Remember back a week or so? You were going to her with problems then and I know that there are things you haven't told me yet. You can talk to her and she won't say anything to me...And I won't be gone too long. I need to check on Ben and I'll bring someone for you later if you want. A snack or something."
Paul nodded. "An accountant...I like those." He smiled faintly. "I'll be okay Jesse, I just thought that you were going to be with me through all of this. It doesn't matter I suppose." He turned away, leaving his Sire alone in the hallway once more. Jesse watched him walk towards the media room and wished that Julianna would hurry.
+
Synneve let Sasha stroke her inner thigh for several more moments. "I don't know about this. I think that you fell out of practice. It seems that when Julianna and I do this there is a little more involved. She at least takes off her clothes. Maybe I should ask you to spend more time with her. She may be young, but there are plenty of things that she could teach you." She sat up, pushing away from the Brujah. "I'll be back in a little while...I think I heard something downstairs."
Sasha held out a robe for the Gangrel and moved to the other side of the bed. "Whatever, just be back so you can prove that you aren't as frigid as you seem." She started stripping, turning her back to her friend. "Just go on...someone downstairs needs you I'm sure. Can't leave that alone for a moment, can we?" She stopped as the bedroom door opened and closed with sharp movements. "Guess I'm just not as alluring as I used to be...damn."
Synneve found Jesse in the library, sitting in front of the fireplace. The hearth was cold and empty, but he stared at it anyway. She had to compose herself for a moment before entering the room, but he didn't seem to notice. When she reached the couch she saw why.
His hands moved idly through the boy's hair as it lay across his lap. Ben's cheek was pressed against Jesse's thigh, the Kine's eyes closed and relaxed as he slept deeply. He was not a Ghoul yet; no blood had been given to him and so he had none of the extra strengths. He had been running errands for Julianna and the clan all day. No doubt the young boy was exhausted.
Synneve smiled, knowing how she would feel if she were in Ben's place. Jesse must seem a strong support to cling to. He had already saved the boy's life once and had come to visit and protect again...even though he was helping someone else. She frowned slightly and sat next to her Childe.
Jesse finally looked at her, his eyes weary. "Will I ever be able to help him?" He stroked Ben's cheek. "There is so much that he needs. Am I going to be able to help him, Suneyva? Will you help me?"
She nodded slowly. "Yes. You will be enough for him...and yes, I will help you when it is necessary. If it is necessary. You do well with him already, Jesse. Look at him now, is he not relaxed? Does he not already trust you with all he is?" She moved away again. "Take him upstairs so he can sleep in a bed. It would be better for him when he wakes. If you need to speak to me, we can do that tomorrow night." She backed away, moving to the stairs again. Maybe Sasha would be ready now.
+
The tongue could be a dangerous weapon when used properly. Synneve had known that for most of her unlife, and had done her best to prove it to Sasha. The willing victim was sprawled across the large bed, still slightly dazed from their last round. The Gangrel was sitting across the room now, writing notes to send to Norway.
"So are you going to tell me why you chose to visit at this time? I haven't seen Meredythe in almost one hundred years...and I know that Julianna is thrilled, but why now?" She turned away from the desk and watched as Sasha's eyes opened again.
"I don't know. I was sent by the Del'Roh. She knows why I suppose, but I am not allowed to question and neither are you, so I obey. It is the way of the Hand." She sat up slowly, pulling her robe across the bed. "Maybe something is going to happen that we need to take action for...maybe a hunt. I don't know, but I guess I'm here until she orders me to return."
"I suppose that means that you can help me out downtown then, right?" Synneve moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "I could use some help round Illusions...you know they've been talking about Y2K a lot of the news and it might just be paranoid babbling, but want to be prepared anyway. I have been working on a shelter. You know, something that is somewhat comfortable and where i can put some of my kids. I'll be here of course. But I can't bring all of them here." She paused, tilting her head to one side, "Okay I could, but I am not sure how things will work out yet. Some of them might not be able to get to the Zoo."
"Okay, stop babbling...I'll help you." The wicked grin reappeared, "Is Julianna gonna help too?"
+
Illusions was nearly empty at four in the morning, but unlike a lot of the bars in this area of Gothik it was still open. Russ was checking the juice supplies behind the bar and his assistant, a young Kine called Trisa was putting small salads together for the next night. All seemed to be going well and Suneyva could find little to comment on.
Meredythe was at the table above the dance floor. She had been watching the same couple for almost an hour and even Julianna hadn't been able to get her attention. Suneyva hadn't seen anything unusual about the two men, other than the fact that they were Kindred. And that hardly counted as something strange in the city.
"Everything okay?" Suneyva approached quietly and sat with a small sigh. "Almost time to get back to the Zoo I think."
"Sure, I need to talk to you in private- sorry Julianna- when we get home." Meredythe stood and stretched, her pale abdomen flashing for a moment.
"Okay," She held a hand out for Julianna and they started down the stairs towards the bar. "Thanks Russ, I'll be back tomorrow if any of the kids need me." Suneyva waved at the Kine before walking through the door, and pulled Julianna closer.
"So, anyone need to stop anywhere before getting home? Need anything at the store?" She thumbed the keys, letting the car beep for a moment as the locks disengaged.
"Nope. Unless you have a kwikie mart that serves vitae..." Meredythe slid into the backseat and stretched out a little.
Julianna laughed shortly, "Nope. Closed last month. Sorry."
"Oh, well then I guess I don't need anything." She paused again. "Except to talk to you Suneyva."
"When we get to the Zoo." Suneyva hit the gas, surpassing the speed limit for the down town streets.
+
Julianna was sent upstairs to check on Ben while Suneyva and Meredythe went into the study to have their talk. The young Kine was a worry to Suneyva; as needy as any of her "kids" and alone during the day when he was awake. There was little that she could do. that would be Jesse's responsibility, even if Ben were nothing like having a puppy.
"What do you need?" She wasted few words this close to dawn. The house was safe, but sleeping on the floor of the study was not a preference.
"I don't know...I saw someone tonight at Illusions though. Remember Mikko? The False Hand member from Turko? Well, he was in your club tonight. Looks a little different, but I know it is him, and the hunt was never called off."
Suneyva nodded, "And you didn't want to do anything there because of the Kine and Julianna that were there. And now what do we do? Hunt or contact the Hand?" She walked to the desk and opened the top drawer.
"Contact the Hand. Someone else will be sent. Your cover in Gothik is too important to risk on a Hunt here. It would risk to much of our planning at this time. We need you here for many more years." Meredythe paused, stopping in front of the window to look towards the city. "You might be asked to house the Qadi that are sent though. To present them to the Prince as your sisters of the Valkyrie if that is what is necessary. Hopefully they won't be here long enough for that to be a need, but think of it anyway. I shall go to the Shadowlands this morning and will return tonight with the plans." She turned to look back towards the Gangrel. "Tell Julianna that I have gone to find something for you, or to hunt...I'll be back before night is old."
