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A person runs through an alleyway. They are terrified, having witnessed a crime. From how they move, I doubt they've been down these corridors before. Perfect. As they scramble, they see an officer of the law. They cry out ‘Officer! Officer! Help me!’. They foolishly get closer to the officer thinking that they're safe. The officer pulls out a baton and bashes them over the head. The officer picked them up from the ground and bit their neck. My partner would drink her fill from this unconscious fool and throw them to the ground afterwards. She got into the car and waited for me to get back. I got back eventually and hopped into the vehicle. I looked over at her as she had this ridiculous smile while she was excitedly drumming on the wheel.
“...Calia, what made you so happy?”
“We just completed our first hunt together, Luper!”
I placed my hand on their head, petting her.
“Weirdo. Let's go before someone reports our ‘handy work’.”
Calia firmly placed her hands on the wheel before calmly driving away. I gazed out the window as Calia made her calls either to her fellows in the department or to the Camarilla. We were passing over a bridge and I saw the city lights reflect on the river below. Calia nudged me.
“We got a message from Boss Man!”
“Oh. What does he want now?”
“Didn't say! He wants us to come in personally.”
“Of course he does…”
I didn't like going out in public. Especially to a POLICE STATION where ‘Boss Man' makes his business. I usually look like a disheveled and homeless Irish woman. Mostly because I am. Calia nudged me again.
“Sooo, I have a question! Do you know where our sires are?”
Inhale, exhale…
“No. Our Clan habitually throws its fledglings into the deep end and expects other members to deal with them.”
“Oh!”
Calia continued driving before randomly yelling.
“WAIT, DOES THAT MEAN YOU DON'T LOVE ME BUT ONLY SEE ME AS AN OBLIGATION???”
Hand on her head.
“Calm down. If I was, I would've left when you had a handle on your hunting skills.”
Calia smiled brightly again and we soon arrived at the station. The Chief of Police, also known as ‘Boss Man’, also known as the Lasombra Prince of Peoria, David Volcra, let us into his office. He had classical music playing while his Tzimisce aide, Matilda Tilberi, was doing his work. David motioned for us to sit down and we did. Calia saluted him.
“Sir! Reporting!”
David laughed.
“Oh, Calia! No need to be so formal! You can be lax…But not too lax!”
He laughed again and Calia soon joined him. God, I can't stand this guy…I would've left for Anarchs if it wasn't for Calia being here. David put a hand up.
“Jokes aside, the Second Inquisition is coming to town! I've provided them a list of the Anarchs, Sabbat, Independents, and anyone else not aligned with the Camarilla! I do wish I didn't have to resort to this but…Well, we saw what the Inquisition did in London!”
Calia looked concerned.
“What happened in London?”
Before Volcra could respond, I spoke.
“Got what they deserved…”
Matilda snickered a bit before shredding some papers. Volcra cleared his throat.
“Anyway…You two need to go to Carverton! I expect they'll investigate the station and I've made the appropriate preparations for everyone here!”
Calia looked even more concerned.
“What does that entail…?”
“Oh, it means I'm throwing one of my Childer and his ghouls under the bus for being a MORON.”
Matilda spoke up.
“I am as well. You two are lucky the Gangrel Primogen is such a good friend of ours.”
Calia looked scared and I put my hand on her head.
“Thank you, Volcra. We will leave now.”
We sat up. David waved us goodbye before Matilda handed me an envelope. Me and Calia went home, got packed up, and headed for Carverton in her personal car. Calia was nervous during the drive and head pats weren't bringing her the comfort she needed. Which means I have to…Actually…Talk…To her…
“Calia. Everything's going to be fine.”
“Are they? We've just been sent to some rural town in the middle of Illinois so the Inquisition doesn't get us! Also, Vampire politics are more cutthroat than I would've imagined! You're saying that if I didn't join this SPECIFIC faction, I would've been SACRIFICED to Hunters!? Also ALSO, what if this NEW place sacrifices us anyway!? We only survived because some guy, who I've NEVER met, is APART OF OUR CLAN!”
Oh god. Shit. How do I handle this?
“Calia. Look at me, but don't actually because we're still on the road. I've been through this situation before. I was embraced during the Irish Civil War. Not only were the British trying to kill me, but Werewolves and Hunters from the Church. I only had myself to fend for…But this time, we have each other!”
Calia let out a sigh. She still looked nervous. I wish I was better at this…Hopefully, the local Prince will be more comforting…Speaking of local, we were arriving in Carverton. The streets were mostly clear at this time of night and there was no soul in sight unless you count the lights being on. I opened up the envelope I received from Matilda and began reading it:
“Hello, Gangrel. The Prince of Carverton should be found at either their home address, the Carverton Library, or Lake Taley Park. They are of the Clan Toreador and their current obsession is romance stories. I apologize if they're weird about you and your partner.
Fortunes to you, Matilda Tilberi.”
And below it were the addresses mentioned. Hm…
“Calia, what sounds more romantic, a park, a library or someone's home?”
She glanced at me.
“Are you still hungry? You are far older than me. I guess it makes sense…”
“No, we're looking for the Prince.”
“Oh! Let's try the park then!”
After a 15-minute drive, we made it to the park. It was practically out of town, so there were no street lights. Just the dark. Before we could get out, a hand slammed on the window. Calia instinctually pulled out her gun and aimed. The figure held up their hands before using one hand to motion downwards. Calia rolled down the window.
“Mon amie, put your weapon down! I assume you two are from Peoria?”
Calia looked at me and I gave her a nod.
“Yes, we are! Who are you?”
“Why, I'm the Prince of Carverton! Now please, your weapon? It's very rude to point such a thing at your host…”
Calia slowly lowered her gun and the Prince motioned for us to follow them. We followed, making it to the bank of the lake. The Prince stretched their arms out while facing the lake.
“Ahh! Look at the water! Isn't it wonderful? Love having my meetings take place here!”
Me and Calia just stared at them before looking at each other. The Prince turned around to face us.
“ANYWAY! As my guests, I will let you into my domain on one condition…Which one of you is the Top?”
I growled a bit under my breath. Hate that this Prince is already prying into my business…I won't answer-
Calia was pointing to me. I…Am so glad I can't blush anymore. The Prince clapped their hands together.
“How interesting! Since you're wolves, does that mean you have Alphas and Omegas-”
Calia flashed her gun.
“Ah, questions for later! One last thing though…You two are fighters, correct? There's a certain band of hunters not affiliated with any organization that has been harassing my subjects! Deal with them and the palace of dreams is yours!”
Calia sighed.
“We're going to have to kill them, huh? Where are they?”
“Up the road. The first yellow house you see out of town! If you guys cause a massacre, don't worry, we'll cover it up! Come back after you're done.”
Me and Calia walked away and got back in our car. Calia took deep breaths before driving off. Time to try and talk to her again…
“You uh…Okay?”
“Oh! I'm fine. We just have to kill people!”
“Is that sarcasm?”
“No. Maybe? It's just…I can't wait to lay down after today.”
“Are you still bothered by that stuff from earlier?”
“Of course! I'm slightly less bothered though because we have each other, like you said!”
“Oh. Thank you.”
She smiled at me. Again I am GLAD I can not BLUSH ANYMORE! Emotional vulnerability SUCKS. We arrived at the yellow house. The lights were on. We got out of the car and began walking to the door. Calia knocked and a gruff man in his 40s swung it open.
“Whatchu want? It's 2 am!”
Calia pulled out her badge.
“Georgie Jonas of the Second Inquisition. We want a run down on your Hunter organization.”
The man looked at her badge before laughing. He looked to someone behind him.
“HA! BOYS! We got an INQUISITOR in our presence!”
He turned back to us.
“Say, which one of the Five Torches do you belong to, honey? Because last I checked, ‘Second Inquisition’ was a VAMPIRE term, so you better get off my property before I blow your fucking-”
Calia pulled out her gun and shot him in the head. She kicked open the door fully as she aimed her gun at the 5 hunters arrayed before her. They were gathered around a table covered in papers. There were two doors out of this room and a staircase leading upstairs.
“Calia, remember your Fortitude.”
She nodded as the 5 Hunters pulled out pistols. I used Protean to turn my hands into proper claws.
Let's ROCK.
One of them fired at Calia but missed. He seemed to be the youngest. So I decided to hop onto the table and TACKLE him. Two of them took the opportunity to shoot me, but bullets won't slow me down! I heard another shot and a cry of pain before hearing a shot being returned and something breaking. I was busy struggling with the hunter I tackled. He was afraid. Good. I was able to slash his throat wide open and I smiled at one of his buddies. I got shot again but it was totally worth it. One of the Hunters began running towards the door but Calia shot him in the leg. The injured one shot at her again and hit her in the arm. I took this opportunity to kick the hunter I smiled at and the injured hunter together. He struggled to get up which gave Calia enough time to shoot and kill the one she shot in the leg. The fight’s dying down now and I’m still grievously injured…I held down the Hunter I smiled at and bit into his neck. Usually, I don’t indulge in my Beast and drink people to death but…It’s a special occasion! Calia dealt with the other one, I don’t know how.
After the fight, me and Calia took showers upstairs. We quickly took off and found the Prince, who would take us to our new home. It was an apartment near the park full of fellow vampires. The Prince also gave us a note with their number on it before leaving. Calia looked over my shoulder to look at the note.
“You think they're flirting with us?”
I tucked away the note.
“No idea. The last time I talked to a Toreador was in New York.”
“Woah, you've been all over!”
“Yup.”
Calia looked at her phone.
“Oh god, it's almost morning!”
Calia picked me up and carried me to the bedroom. She dumped me onto the bed and laid next to me. I looked over at her.
“...I can still walk, you know.”
“Luper, I'm surprised you can MOVE! You got shot like 5 times!”
“Pistols aren't as painful as British rifles. I'll be fine, you big dog.”
She patted me on the head.
“Thank you for trying to talk to me earlier! I saw on your face it wasn't your thing, but I appreciate it! I really do.”
“Oh.”
OH GOD, I'M GONNA CRY. UM. OKAY. CALM DOWN. She was still smiling at me when she eventually closed her eyes. I hugged her tightly. At this moment, nothing else matters. Not the pain from the bullet wounds, not the Prince's coverup for all of this, not Volcra’s political schemes, just Calia. If anything were to befall her right now, I would devour the perpetrator immediately. I love her with all my heart.