Emmeline Lisette Laurent (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
masquebelle) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
noirenewyork2014-01-11 02:26 am
masquebelle) wrote in noirenewyork2014-01-11 02:26 am
"She moves in mysterious ways..."
Who: Emmeline Laurent and Lilah Ryckaert
What: First meetings
Where: Lilah's office, La Castilla Marketing
When: Thursday, early evening
If there was one thing that Lilah Ryckaert hated, it was being kept waiting. She was a very busy woman, as CEO of one of the best known, and most sought-after marketing firms in New York City, especially in reference to the fashion world. But New York traffic was New York traffic, and though Lilah's Midtown Manhattan office was no more than a hop, skip, and a jump from Alyce's hotel room at the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Station, precautions had to be taken to keep the world-famous model out of the public eye, and, as per usual, that wasn't always as easily said as done.
Still, it was only 15 minutes past the scheduled meeting time when Lilah's secretary buzzed her office to let her know that Alyce was here to see her, and Lilah replied with a cooly uttered, "Send her in," before returning to her side of the desk, with the usual contract paperwork spread out neatly, in perfect, nearly OCD-level stacks. Lilah was a born businesswoman, and her firm ran like a well-oiled machine, due greatly to the fact that she kept everything neat and in its place, and had since day one. There were filing cabinets for hard copies of everything, as well as scanned in backups on the network harddrive, and Lilah never lost anything.
Except her concentration entirely when the flawlessly beautiful model walked into the room, and a familiar jolt of recognition shot through her instantaneously. This was no ordinary model, and it wasn't by virtue of her popularity, either.
Alyce was Kindred.
"Welcome to New York," Lilah murmured, far more meaning lying under the surface of her words as she extended her hand, every one of her senses completely on edge.
Emmeline left her cumbersome entourage in the waiting room, including her agent, insisting she wanted to meet with the woman alone. Of course, her agent or body guards weren't the slightest bit happy about it, but Emmeline merely threw them a prized bitchy glare at their huffing and swept into the expansive office when directed. The door was closed behind her, and her dark eyes locked on the businesswoman's face. Emmeline was stunning. One of the most beautiful Toreadors known to the Kindred world, but considering her bloodline, it was no surprise. She was stemmed from generations of royalty, and when she had truly come into her Kindred self, her beauty had only emphasised even more. It was what had her shapeshifting enough over the years, morphing into whatever current look the fashion world demanded. She had schmoozed with the finest fashion specimens over the years, and now? Now she wanted to tackle the mysterious Asher Rose.
A veiled smirk appeared on Emmeline's blood red and full lips, and her eyes shifted to take on a silver tinge. Anyone would think she was stalking prey, but instead she just sauntered up close, full of confidence and self-assurance, and gently traced the tip of her finger over Lilah's cheek. "You are one of us, mon cherie. Ventrue. I sense it. Such beauty, but you take yourselves so serious. It does not all have to be so structured." Her finger trailed from Lilah's cheek to her throat and toyed over the sweep of skin at her jugular. "I am a little peckish. It was an awfully long flight. May I, chaton?" she purred, leaning in so her words danced over Lilah's ear.
The fact was, Alyce was exactly to Lilah's taste. She was the kind of beautiful that turned heads in any crowd, it was plain to see, and Lilah couldn't deny the familiar hunger inside. The truth was, it hadn't been all that long since she'd fed, but the appearance of the beautiful model in her office had brought back hunger pangs that were undeniable. God, she was practically dying just for a taste. There was no question, Alyce was clearly Toreador, and even if she hadn't sensed it, it would've been obvious to anyone with any knowledge of Kindred clans. Not that there were many mortals privy to that information.
There was no denying the Toreador's confidence as she strode over to Lilah, and the touch of her finger only served to increase the rapidly building desire in the Ventrue businesswoman. It had taken only a split second for Lilah to want her. "I had no idea that we had so much in common," she replied, with all the careful control of the Ventrue CEO she was, though it took more and more effort as the French accent fell on her ears. "The business world requires a certain level of seriousness, Alyce. But it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
She was just about to extend her hand, exchanging the the intimate touch of the other woman for a cold and formal handshake, when the perfectly manicured finger traced down over her throat. "Mais oui. Assurément." Lilah had spent a great deal of her life traveling and studying, and along the way, she'd become fluent in four languages, including French. Carefully, she pulled her hair to one side of her neck, tilting her head back and to the side to give the gorgeous woman a clear spot from which to feed, as the anticipation of feeling the fangs of someone so beautiful in her flesh built up inside.
Emmeline gave a soft laugh against Lilah's ear and made a soft, fond tutting sound that indicated she had many, many years dealing with headstrong Ventrue. "You sound like mon oncle, tresor. He takes himself just as seriously and is in very much need of a well-earned vacation. What about you, amour? Do you ever let yourself stop to see the beauty of the world? The perfection of a rose petal, the gentle glean of a crystal chandelier, the magnifique pitch of the piano when it dances over the high notes...?"
She slowly moved around behind Lilah's back, and her long, perfectly manicured fingers rested at the dip of her collar blade, toying with the expensive necklace Lilah was wearing. It was Cartier, and that alone was enough to thrill Emmeline's senses. She was a true Toreador and everything stunning and expensive was a turn on for her. The beautiful woman had fine taste, and that right there was exactly to Emmeline's taste. She was royalty, that would never, ever change. She was resting possessively up against Lilah's back and and trailed a light line of kisses over the sweep of Lilah's neck, licking her lips in anticipation. Her fangs descended and and when she bit, it was slow but determined. They sank deeply into Lilah's throat and she felt the blood rush over her tongue with the hit of a fine wine to someone with a honed taste for fine foods. She drank leisurely and her other hand teasingly traced circles with her finger tips just below Lilah's breast.
The other woman's voice had a certain musical quality to it as it fell lightly and teasingly on Lilah's ear. "I see a great deal of beauty in the world," Lilah replied cooly. "The smooth way that a well-run business operates is beautiful to me. The way that my bank account balance increases because I'm good at what I do is beautiful to me. The bodies of the models who help me sell the products of my clients are usually the most beautiful thing of all. And you, my dear, are no exception. How could you be? I've never met a Toreador who was anything less than stunning."
While not nearly to the level of a Toreador, Lilah had very expensive taste, and it wasn't lost on her the attention the model was giving to the necklace resting delicately on her collarbone. The way that the woman's body pressed against hers made Lilah tilt her head back just that little bit more, until it was very nearly resting on the model's shoulder. Anyone who wasn't Kindred would never understand the sensuality that was related to feeding for them. But there was a deep connection in drinking deep of the very blood that ran through someone else's body, taking it into oneself, taking nourishment from it.
As the fangs pierced her skin and Lilah felt her blood pouring out of her and into the mouth pressed to her throat, the Ventrue allowed herself a low moan of pleasure, her eyes taking on a light silverish hue of their own at the thought of how good the gorgeous model's blood would taste. She raised her hand to press it gently to the back of the Toreador's head. "I do hope the food is to your liking," Lilah said in a tone that had just a hint of teasing to it. Her free hand moved back behind her to grip the Toreador's hip with a bit of her own possessiveness at play. "I trust you will find your stay here in New York quite... pleasurable."
All that Ventrue business bored Emmeline. Ever since she was returned from her adoptive parents to Blaise in Paris, she had lived the high life of luxury. She had never wanted for a thing and had the world of the princess that she was. She never took for granted the very modest country life she had been raised in by her darling adoptive parents, but once she reached Paris, there was no turning back for her. It was the world of riches and royalty, and Kindred. She knew she wanted to be Embraced. It was like she was born for it. Though she never had any interest in Kindred politics or being Primogen. That was Blaise's forte. She was more about luxury, expensive things, schmoozing, looking and feeling beautiful, jewellery, music, fashion - the Toreador works. She wasn't apologetic for it either. This was her life. But she didn't begrudge the Ventrue their desires. They were born rulers, whereas Emmeline preferred to rule herself. There was a place for every Clan in the world, and everyone fit their own Kindred skin. Unless, of course, you were taken against your will and could find yourself roaming lost and scared in the Masquerade... just like Asher. The poor bebe needed guidance, but he first needed to open himself up to it. She would help how she could, but he was fiercely opposed so far.
She drank, and she indulged in the sweet taste of Lilah's blood. It was just up Emmeline's alley and it had been a long time since she indulged in another female. Usually young men were forever on hand to cater to her, and with her beauty, more than willing to be her passing meals or sexual gratification if she was in the mood. Emmeline's sexuality was fluid. She could probably be labelled bisexual, but it didn't even isolate to that because her sexual preference came second to her fine and exquisite taste. If the person was beautiful, rich, talented, smart... it didn't matter to her what they had between their legs. It had also been a very long time since she had any sort of relationship. Her job made it hard, but she knew Blaise was hoping she might settle and seek love now she was to be based in New York for a little while.
"À chacun son goût," she finally responded when she had drank her fill. She didn't spill a drop, her tongue lapping over the tiny piercings to heal them, and then gently brushed at the corners of her lips with her fingertip just to be sure. "What would The Masquerade be without a variety of tastes, mon belle? Boring is what it would be. I find New York distinctly lacking in character and culture, but alas, this is where I am required to be right now. My presence is of utmost importance. All is not lost. I have a dear friend who lives here and mon oncle will visit frequently. I also brought my confidante. I could not survive without him."
The fact was, beautiful models breezed in and out of Lilah's life like clockwork. Marketing was something she was damn good at, but it was also an excellent way to bring her meal of choice to her regularly. She'd lost count of how many models had stepped foot into this office, their perfect bodies offering Lilah just the nourishment she needed before she'd wiped their memories of what had happened and sent them back out to do their jobs. Some of them had met more than just her need for nourishment along the way. And then there was Saxon, her dearest friend, whom she'd Embraced. What they shared was a strange cross between a lesbromance and a friends with benefits arrangement, Saxon being pretty much the only male that Lilah bothered with on any sexual level anymore. He jokingly referred to himself as her gay fail, and it was more or less true.
But for all the beautiful models Lilah had tasted, or had on a sexual level, none were quite so stunning as the Toreador who was partaking hungrily of her blood. A small sigh escaped Lilah as the model finished, healing her quickly. "If you find New York lacking in character and culture, the rest of the US will be barbaric by comparison," she said, her tone light as she remained where she stood, her body still pressed close to the model's. "The photos don't do you justice," she murmured, turning her head to the side to gently run her finger down the other woman's cheek. "You are exquisite..." Licking her lips, her eyes still tinged with silver, she carried on the conversation for the moment. "You have a friend here in New York?" she asked warmly. "Anyone I might know? This City is full of Kindred... Very easy to blend in here... But it's good that you won't be alone, love. If the group who were waiting for you outside is any indication, you've brought quite the entourage along."
"Oui, mon cherie. I have a friend who has recently come to settle in your beautiful City. He is of much importance to mon oncle, but a Toreador and requires some assistance in helping a young fellow Toreador find his Kindred feet." Emmeline paused for a moment and watched Lilah intently. She suspected the businesswoman was unaware of Asher's recent transition, though it was hard to know for sure who knew what. Emmeline was new here and would need a little more time to analyse the situation. She wasn't just about to out Asher from the Kindred closet if he was keeping his status concealed. She did know he interacted very little with his business since he had been Embraced, instead working via advisors whilst he continued to man his unstoppable fashion empire. As it was, Lilah may not have even been in Asher's presence for a very long time. "My friend is the Childer of the Scottish Prince who is a dear, dear friend of mon oncle, and rather a rogue Toreador with a cheeky reckless streak when he feels like it. A familiar face is sometimes all someone needs to be content, non?"
She slipped her fingers into the ends of Lilah's hair and let the soft strands loop around her palm. Emmeline was the epitome of a Toreador and all beautiful things fascinated her. She liked to sense and touch and truly thrived on beauty. Lilah was no exception. "His name is Logan Buchanan. The lover of Eric Knight, your Prince's younger brother." And she was a massive gossip of all things Kindred. Being a French socialite and a face of the international fashion scene, she was aware of all connections she needed to be in situations like this. "Tu es jolie, chaton. Tu as faim?" she asked and then without waiting for Lilah's confirmation of hunger, Emmeline's pinkie nail transitioned into a razor-sharp point and she sliced it slowly across the swell of her own cleavage, blood seeping quickly from the wound.
Lilah was intrigued by the connections between the model's City and her own, apparently on a very large scale as well. It wasn't that she was unaware that Princes and other high ranking Kindred kept in contact so much as the fact that it was very rarely something that she herself ever came into contact with. Lilah's ambitions were not political in nature. Instead, her plans remained centered on the business world, where she could continue to run her business, pouring into it, making it grow by leaps and bounds. Power came in many forms, and Lilah sought the power of a world-renowned business woman. That didn't mean, however, that she wasn't very interested in the political workings of their world, how it was run, and by whom. "A newly Embraced Kindred?" she mused aloud. She had no idea who the woman was speaking of, but found herself wondering if it was someone she knew. The last new Embrace she knew about was Saxon's, and that had been quite a while back. He had well and truly found his feet as Ventrue, coming into his own completely. "I can agree with that," she replied, still pressed closely to the woman behind her. "It's why I keep myself surrounded by those I know and can trust."
The Toreador model remained true to her Clan's reputation as she stood there, letting her fingers move through Lilah's loose curls. The businesswoman had to admit that there was something flattering in the attentions of a Toreador. By no means did Lilah find herself unattractive, and she had no trouble finding someone to feed from or bed, as the mood took her, but many times, that particular pursuit was helped along by her power more than her physical beauty. The Toreador, however, seemed fascinated far more by Lilah herself, her hair and her body, and a soft sigh of appreciation fell from her lips before she even realized it was coming. "Of course," Lilah replied, once the name sunk in with her. She knew most of the happenings of her own City's Kindred, which, perhaps was all the more why she was surprised that she had no idea who the newly Embraced Toreador was. But all thoughts of that were quickly tossed aside as the model readily offered her own blood, setting all of Lilah's senses on fire as her eyes went completely silver. Pressing one hand to Alyce's lower back, and the other between her shoulder blades, she leaned in, pressing her mouth hungrily to the seeping cut. It was perfect, the way it coated her tongue, smoothly going down her throat only to be replaced by more. She drank until she'd had her fill, her hand delving lower, to the model's hip. Quickly healing the wound, Lilah gently ran her tongue over her teeth to make sure they were clean. "Delicious, darling," she murmured appreciatively, before her mouth came to press a soft kiss to the other woman's neck.
Emmeline gave a tiny wave of her hand. "Couçi-couça. Not entirely newly Embraced. It has been about six months, give or take. To meet the bebe, you would never know he was a Childer. Plays his cards extremely closed to his chest and could be mistaken for being old school. He is very savvy with a lot of natural Toreador instincts. He has learnt of our Kind extremely adequately for survival, yet I feel he yearns for the life he left behind. Alas, some Kindred do feel lost once we awaken, even if we were Embraced by choice. It is never something anyone can know until one experiences it and lives it. He is his Sire's first Childer, so a little assistance to both of them, and the delicate hand of a femme. You know what it is like when there is too much testosterone in business. It inevitably gets messy."
She let her head drop back and her eyes fall closed as the familiar passionate rush flooded through her that came from being fed on. Her thick, glossy hair tumbled down over her back and she indulged purely in the sensations that, to a Kindred, was way better than sex. In fact, sex was mostly used as a means to increase the pleasure of feeding, as opposed to sex just being sex. A Kindred didn't need sex, they just used it as a means to an end, though Emmeline was every inch the Toreador. If she enjoyed a beautiful body, she would often bask in the admiration more by having ex without feeding. It had to be immaculate, however, and Lilah definitely fell right into her tastes.
Once they were nourished, though, Emmeline went over to sit elegantly in the chair by Lilah's desk. "Shall we get down to business now, mon amour? Tell me, what do you know of one Asher Rose?" It sounded as if Emmeline had never met him, which wasn't true. She had spent some time with Asher, but he had been very guarded, as expected. She needed to gather impressions of him from others, whether he was exhibiting his Kindred status or more than adequately masking himself. Logan's life could be on the line here, and it was her job to try and protect him as she could.
For a moment, in the heated moments of taking her fill from Alyce's body, and the buzz that was the closest thing she could associate with the concept of being high, Lilah let her mind focus in on the sensations of feeding. Forgotten was the discussion at hand of the Toreador Childer who was, as yet, not named, and Lilah's mind was completely clouded with the sensuality of the flawless body pressed close to hers that had, only moments earlier given her nourishment. Yes, models were definitely her taste, but this particular model was far above and beyond Lilah's usual pickings. She'd had many beautiful women, and men, for that matter, and this was by no means the first time she'd fed on one of her Kind, but it was no matter. Alyce was every bit the Toreador, and not only did she appreciate beautiful things... she was, at her very essence one of the most beautiful things. But there was little time to waste in basking in what was the Kindred equivalent of the most powerful of orgasms. There was business to talk, and the predatory part of Lilah was already imagining how the model's perfect form would look in the clothes that she had come to model.
"Yes, of course," she replied, taking a seat at her own desk, smoothing her hands over the skirt of her impeccably designed suit. Lilah's bread and butter was the fashion world, and it did not do well for her to try to attract fashion designers to her firm if she herself did not dress with high fashion at the back of her mind. "Asher Rose? He is one of the most fashion forward and innovative designers in the country, if not the world. Literally brilliant. I've never seen anything like it. One so young who is above and beyond many designers double his age. You will find he has designs for every body type, from the svelte, to the... voluptuous body types. Absolutely brilliant. I was told before I first met him that he could look at a fabric and see immediately the shape that a garment would take. I've seen it in person, and I was not lied to. As for knowing him personally... I met him when he was starting out. Very young and idealistic. He's beautiful... probably much to your taste, if not for the fact that he is decidedly and unashamedly gay. But the truth is... I have not seen Asher in person in quite some time. Not after the accident that most believed took his life. He's still alive, though, or so they say. I remain in contact with his office, though I haven't spoken to him directly in that time. His designs leave no doubt, though. They are his work."
Emmeline had turned her cell phone off for this, otherwise there was a chance she could get bombarded with calls that threw her off her focus. It was important for her to somehow paint some sort of picture of who Asher was, even professionally, so they could help him in the best way. Right now, he was stonewalling them all. He had this invincible fortress built up around him and his emotions, and even though as Kindred, they could sense his more dramatic mood shifts, especially when he was hungered, he still had this ability to shield them from the most important things he was trying to protect. He was taken against his will, which didn't make for a good Kindred foundation, but Asher was amazing Kindred and an amazing Toredor. He could be extremely powerful without the short fuse that came with abhorring what he was. Emmeline wanted to try and help Logan and Eric as much as she could, especially knowing who Eric was. Plus, she just wanted Asher to find contentment. It was a broken heart at play here, and sometimes that could be one's own worst enemy above any and all threats to their life elsewhere.
"I have had the distinct pleasure of interacting with him a time or two in the past, and he is stunning. It was never a question in my mind that I would accept the job of working with his designs on a regular basis. I have a friend with a vested interest in him and his... talent. Do you know anything of him in the past? His personality, how he was interacting with people, if he has close friends nearby? I know, I sound positively nosey here but..." She paused, thinking on her toes here. "My friend has taken quite a keen interest in Monsieur Rose in a less than innocent way. I thought I might fancy myself a little bit of a matchmaker. After all, in this day and age, it seems near impossible to find someone who completes you. I could never pass up the opportunity that they may be each's other's perfect matches." Only not, considering Asher's perfect match was a mortal who had always owned his heart, but here Emmeline was using a little Toreador creative licence to any snippets of information she could on better understand Asher.
"You are pure Toreador, Alyce," Lilah replied in a light tone that wasn't really teasing, so much as stating the truth with a hint of amusement. The other woman's fascination with all things beautiful and artistic was obvious, and Lilah couldn't help the fact that it attracted and amused her all at the same time. As Ventrue, Lilah found far more fascination in ways to build her little marketing empire than in art, but it paid associating with a certain number of Toreador, especially in her business. She had many Toreador designers who created the layouts for the ads she sold, and they definitely brought a level of beauty to them that few others were capable of. Still, it couldn't be said that Lilah didn't appreciate beauty She had to, in her line of work. "Your Clan and mine have always worked well together in this line of work, I've discovered. I'm surprised that I had no idea, though, that you were one of us."
"Oh?" Lilah responded. "And this friend of yours? Is he Kindred as well? Toreador, too, no doubt, if he's got an eye on someone like Asher. Unless, of course, he's Ventrue and has a taste for fashion designers? I know very little about him outside of his business. I do know that he has a few friends in the City, though only because he mentioned in passing that he was going to meet them, back when he still came here quite often." She offered the model a smile. "It sounds like you're quite a dedicated friend, darling... Asher is hard to get in touch with these days... Much less to get to come out and meet people. I do wish you luck, though." Lilah wasn't aware of Asher's romantic status, and it made sense. He was a very private person, and she really didn't expect him to be forthcoming with the romantic deatils of his life.
"Emmeline, mon chaton," Emmeline corrected her with a veiled smile. Her dark eyes locked to Lilah's face. "As a Kindred in this business, it is not only the fashion that is required to change with the seasons. One must continuously reinvent oneself or The Masquerade would be at threat. Sooner or later, Alyce will simply fade into fashion history and become an enigma no one really knows enough about to question. Who knows what might take her place. I'm thinking of going blonde next time, but who knows. Oui, mon belle. Toreadors have no interest in business, yet the world of beauty is one massive cutthroat corporation. We need Ventrue to build the empires that we can thrive in. Mon Oncle is one of the best Ventrue to walk the earth, one of the finest. Does not take fools lightly. But he has been around so long, he is very set in his old ways. Me? I thrive on the modern times, even if my ancestory is very dear to me. Ma mère... she was notorious in her time. Still is."
She gave another smile and then a light laugh. "Oui. I do not mix with many mortals beyond those required in my job. Too many secrets to conceal. My friend is Childer to the Scottish Prince, though he has come to base himself here. His lover is here, so he is settled for now. You could say they both have a vested interest in Asher. But he is an international prize. There would be many who would desire a piece of him. But you are Ventrue, so you would certainly appreciate the value of using one's connections to one's advantage." Though, Emmeline was intrigued by the fact Lilah hadn't pushed more for information on Asher if she was so deeply connected to his business interests. "You were never curious to discover if he was well in the wake of his accident? Wouldn't your business be at distinct risk if he wasn't?"
"Emmeline," Lilah repeated easily, liking the sound of that name much more than the assumed name under which the Toreador was modelling. "Certainly. The concept of being forever young, while intriguing to most, doesn't translate well into the public eye. The fashion industry lends itself well to a beautiful marriage of the Toreador and Ventrue Clans. But then, our Clans have long been allies. Who is your uncle? You speak of him often... You must be very close. And your mother? Is she Kindred as well, darling?" Lilah had no idea how old Emmeline was, but it struck her to wonder how many of the old fashion magazines that her staff often referred to for vintage concepts may have contained photos of Emmeline in a different form or appearance.
"This is the friend you spoke of earlier? Who is lover to my Prince's brother?" Lilah put the pieces together just a bit. "So your friend appreciates Asher's beauty and skill, and Eric... who is also the Ventrue Primogen, as I assume you know, being friends with his lover... sees the business potential there? Or are they both interested in him on a more physical level?" Emmeline's question was a valid one, and Lilah responded with a tiny shrug of her shoulders. "I spoke with his assistant early on, and was informed that the accident wasn't as bad as they'd believed it to be, and Asher was recuperating at home. I didn't press for more information out of respect for Asher and his privacy, and when new designs came in, it was obvious that they were his work."
This just earned a veiled smile from Emmeline as she relaxed back into the chair and put her Manoloed foot up on the edge of Lylah's desk, tracing her long, red nail slowly and tantalisingly over her thigh. "Non, they chopped off her head. Let them eat cake!" she declared with a light laugh and a flick of her fingers. "I was birthed Princess Sophie Hélène Béatrice of France. Mon père was Louis XVI, King of France and ma mère, Maria Antonia of Austria... Marie Antionette. Very much not Kindred. Mon oncle, however is another story entirely. Blaise Mathieu Richelieu, Kindred Prince of Paris and France. Second son to Francis I, King of France in 1522. Second in line to the throne, but it was never meant to be. Blaise was Embraced against his will just before his 28th birthday, but his death stood. He separated himself from court and learned to relive as Kindred. He isn't really mon oncle... just a distance ancestor of mon père. I nearly died in infancy and was left by the royal physician to die. Blaise heard of the tragedy and had me stolen from my chambers by the nurse, who told the physician I had died. They believed it to be an infant corpse they buried, but it was the body of a small animal wrapped in silk cloth. Blaise rescued me, I was adopted by a barren couple in the French countryside. I grew up with them and when I was old enough, he came to tell me everything. That was how I chose my Embrace and here we are today. Rather old school, non?"
She knew a hell of a lot, but she wasn't going to reveal any specifics to Lylah. She had Logan's best interests at heart, considering they shared a Sire. She knew what he had done was against Kindred law, but Embrace against one's will was never as cut and dried. Even Blaise knew what had happened, which was part of the reason he was here. He had an extremely unique way of presence to draw the most unsuspecting of people in. If they couldn't get to Asher, Blaise would likely go beyond him to people near him for information and no one would suspect anything. "Mon ami is a Toreador. Asher's beauty and beautiful mind is what attracts him and fascinates him. Hence why so many Toreador walk the fashion world, it is full of beautiful things. But I believe Asher is Eric's refined Ventrue taste. Asher intrigues them both, but his mystery makes it even more of a tantalising game. Like the most devilish kind of playing hard to get."
Lilah's face gave away none of the shock she immediately felt at the revelation of exactly who Emmeline's mother was. She'd heard rumors for years that certain high ranking members of the French Royal family were among their number, but she had never realized that Marie Antoinette's infant daughter, long presumed dead, would not only have lived, but have lived to become Kindred, and walk into her office. She had to force her eyes away from the other woman's thigh. Emmeline not only appreciated beauty herself. She knew how to use her own beauty to get what she wanted. And even as Kindred herself, Lilah had to focus on keeping her attention on the business at hand instead of the gorgeous body so seductively posed in front of her. "So you are the daughter of the famous Marie Antoinette," she mused aloud, letting her own fingertip trace lightly over her collarbone. "Indeed it is old school, darling. You have so much intriguing history surrounding you. My past is far less... interesting you might say. French history has always been so fascinating to me. So much deception and intrigue... And I was always sure there were many of our kind involved along the way."
Lilah was intrigued by the vagueness of Emmeline's words, but she watched her without letting anything through her calm facial expression. "Asher is very much the closed off and private type. It must be quite the cat and mouse game between him and your friend. I am hoping that there will be a chance for me to meet with him soon in reference to his new line. It's a brilliant one, and I'd very much like his input on our marketing pitch this time around. Getting an appointment with him is near impossible, though."
Emmeline flicked her fingers dismissively, very much a trait of royalty when she had no further interest in dealing with something. These days she was modern-day royalty, one of the top celebrities of the world. Same deal. She didn't do anything she didn't want to, and that was no secret. "Centuries past. Power can also be weakness. Only a select few know of my true past and connections. France is not for the faint-hearted. If only we were solely about that gaudy tower and expensive fashion labels. Rebellion can still be very much alive and well amongst Kindred. A lot of us still bear our old and historical values, right along with old and historical loyalty and patriotism."
Her Kindred sense was so well-tuned from centuries of living in the Masquerade, though, and her dark eyes never left Lylah's face as she took in every tiny little reaction, movement, tapping into some of the other Kindred's emotions. There was no nervousness there, which was a positive thing according to Emmeline. She preferred confidence, it was more arousing to her Kindred senses than negative emotions, but she knew she definitely had hooked Lylah's intrigue here. She was trying to mask it, but Emmeline mingled so closely with some of the world's most powerful Ventrue, Brodie included, and reading them was never a huge feat for her. One thing she could specifically target here was that Lylah honestly didn't have the information on Asher Emmeline needed because she wasn't concealing anything. She was being honest, and whist frustrating to Emmeline that she would need to work harder here, she was perhaps more thinking now that Lylah could be a fine ally in her plight... because she would want information on Asher that she didn't already have.
Though Emmeline wasn't about to launch the poor dear out of the Kindred closet. She would never out a fellow Toreador unless they were a direct threat to her. It also told her that Lylah really hadn't been in Asher's presence recently, or she would have immediately sensed he was Kindred. "Sounds like the darling has secrets to keep. But who doesn't, hmm? Cat and mouse is what both Eric and Logan thrive on. Eric has brushed with crime in the past, and ironically, Logan is an ex MI6 Agent. The chase alone is arousing, however Monsieur Rose does not appear to want to be caught... perhaps you should insist on an appointment with him? Perhaps we could meet with him together?"
TBC...
What: First meetings
Where: Lilah's office, La Castilla Marketing
When: Thursday, early evening
If there was one thing that Lilah Ryckaert hated, it was being kept waiting. She was a very busy woman, as CEO of one of the best known, and most sought-after marketing firms in New York City, especially in reference to the fashion world. But New York traffic was New York traffic, and though Lilah's Midtown Manhattan office was no more than a hop, skip, and a jump from Alyce's hotel room at the Grand Hyatt at Grand Central Station, precautions had to be taken to keep the world-famous model out of the public eye, and, as per usual, that wasn't always as easily said as done.
Still, it was only 15 minutes past the scheduled meeting time when Lilah's secretary buzzed her office to let her know that Alyce was here to see her, and Lilah replied with a cooly uttered, "Send her in," before returning to her side of the desk, with the usual contract paperwork spread out neatly, in perfect, nearly OCD-level stacks. Lilah was a born businesswoman, and her firm ran like a well-oiled machine, due greatly to the fact that she kept everything neat and in its place, and had since day one. There were filing cabinets for hard copies of everything, as well as scanned in backups on the network harddrive, and Lilah never lost anything.
Except her concentration entirely when the flawlessly beautiful model walked into the room, and a familiar jolt of recognition shot through her instantaneously. This was no ordinary model, and it wasn't by virtue of her popularity, either.
Alyce was Kindred.
"Welcome to New York," Lilah murmured, far more meaning lying under the surface of her words as she extended her hand, every one of her senses completely on edge.
Emmeline left her cumbersome entourage in the waiting room, including her agent, insisting she wanted to meet with the woman alone. Of course, her agent or body guards weren't the slightest bit happy about it, but Emmeline merely threw them a prized bitchy glare at their huffing and swept into the expansive office when directed. The door was closed behind her, and her dark eyes locked on the businesswoman's face. Emmeline was stunning. One of the most beautiful Toreadors known to the Kindred world, but considering her bloodline, it was no surprise. She was stemmed from generations of royalty, and when she had truly come into her Kindred self, her beauty had only emphasised even more. It was what had her shapeshifting enough over the years, morphing into whatever current look the fashion world demanded. She had schmoozed with the finest fashion specimens over the years, and now? Now she wanted to tackle the mysterious Asher Rose.
A veiled smirk appeared on Emmeline's blood red and full lips, and her eyes shifted to take on a silver tinge. Anyone would think she was stalking prey, but instead she just sauntered up close, full of confidence and self-assurance, and gently traced the tip of her finger over Lilah's cheek. "You are one of us, mon cherie. Ventrue. I sense it. Such beauty, but you take yourselves so serious. It does not all have to be so structured." Her finger trailed from Lilah's cheek to her throat and toyed over the sweep of skin at her jugular. "I am a little peckish. It was an awfully long flight. May I, chaton?" she purred, leaning in so her words danced over Lilah's ear.
The fact was, Alyce was exactly to Lilah's taste. She was the kind of beautiful that turned heads in any crowd, it was plain to see, and Lilah couldn't deny the familiar hunger inside. The truth was, it hadn't been all that long since she'd fed, but the appearance of the beautiful model in her office had brought back hunger pangs that were undeniable. God, she was practically dying just for a taste. There was no question, Alyce was clearly Toreador, and even if she hadn't sensed it, it would've been obvious to anyone with any knowledge of Kindred clans. Not that there were many mortals privy to that information.
There was no denying the Toreador's confidence as she strode over to Lilah, and the touch of her finger only served to increase the rapidly building desire in the Ventrue businesswoman. It had taken only a split second for Lilah to want her. "I had no idea that we had so much in common," she replied, with all the careful control of the Ventrue CEO she was, though it took more and more effort as the French accent fell on her ears. "The business world requires a certain level of seriousness, Alyce. But it's a pleasure to finally meet you."
She was just about to extend her hand, exchanging the the intimate touch of the other woman for a cold and formal handshake, when the perfectly manicured finger traced down over her throat. "Mais oui. Assurément." Lilah had spent a great deal of her life traveling and studying, and along the way, she'd become fluent in four languages, including French. Carefully, she pulled her hair to one side of her neck, tilting her head back and to the side to give the gorgeous woman a clear spot from which to feed, as the anticipation of feeling the fangs of someone so beautiful in her flesh built up inside.
Emmeline gave a soft laugh against Lilah's ear and made a soft, fond tutting sound that indicated she had many, many years dealing with headstrong Ventrue. "You sound like mon oncle, tresor. He takes himself just as seriously and is in very much need of a well-earned vacation. What about you, amour? Do you ever let yourself stop to see the beauty of the world? The perfection of a rose petal, the gentle glean of a crystal chandelier, the magnifique pitch of the piano when it dances over the high notes...?"
She slowly moved around behind Lilah's back, and her long, perfectly manicured fingers rested at the dip of her collar blade, toying with the expensive necklace Lilah was wearing. It was Cartier, and that alone was enough to thrill Emmeline's senses. She was a true Toreador and everything stunning and expensive was a turn on for her. The beautiful woman had fine taste, and that right there was exactly to Emmeline's taste. She was royalty, that would never, ever change. She was resting possessively up against Lilah's back and and trailed a light line of kisses over the sweep of Lilah's neck, licking her lips in anticipation. Her fangs descended and and when she bit, it was slow but determined. They sank deeply into Lilah's throat and she felt the blood rush over her tongue with the hit of a fine wine to someone with a honed taste for fine foods. She drank leisurely and her other hand teasingly traced circles with her finger tips just below Lilah's breast.
The other woman's voice had a certain musical quality to it as it fell lightly and teasingly on Lilah's ear. "I see a great deal of beauty in the world," Lilah replied cooly. "The smooth way that a well-run business operates is beautiful to me. The way that my bank account balance increases because I'm good at what I do is beautiful to me. The bodies of the models who help me sell the products of my clients are usually the most beautiful thing of all. And you, my dear, are no exception. How could you be? I've never met a Toreador who was anything less than stunning."
While not nearly to the level of a Toreador, Lilah had very expensive taste, and it wasn't lost on her the attention the model was giving to the necklace resting delicately on her collarbone. The way that the woman's body pressed against hers made Lilah tilt her head back just that little bit more, until it was very nearly resting on the model's shoulder. Anyone who wasn't Kindred would never understand the sensuality that was related to feeding for them. But there was a deep connection in drinking deep of the very blood that ran through someone else's body, taking it into oneself, taking nourishment from it.
As the fangs pierced her skin and Lilah felt her blood pouring out of her and into the mouth pressed to her throat, the Ventrue allowed herself a low moan of pleasure, her eyes taking on a light silverish hue of their own at the thought of how good the gorgeous model's blood would taste. She raised her hand to press it gently to the back of the Toreador's head. "I do hope the food is to your liking," Lilah said in a tone that had just a hint of teasing to it. Her free hand moved back behind her to grip the Toreador's hip with a bit of her own possessiveness at play. "I trust you will find your stay here in New York quite... pleasurable."
All that Ventrue business bored Emmeline. Ever since she was returned from her adoptive parents to Blaise in Paris, she had lived the high life of luxury. She had never wanted for a thing and had the world of the princess that she was. She never took for granted the very modest country life she had been raised in by her darling adoptive parents, but once she reached Paris, there was no turning back for her. It was the world of riches and royalty, and Kindred. She knew she wanted to be Embraced. It was like she was born for it. Though she never had any interest in Kindred politics or being Primogen. That was Blaise's forte. She was more about luxury, expensive things, schmoozing, looking and feeling beautiful, jewellery, music, fashion - the Toreador works. She wasn't apologetic for it either. This was her life. But she didn't begrudge the Ventrue their desires. They were born rulers, whereas Emmeline preferred to rule herself. There was a place for every Clan in the world, and everyone fit their own Kindred skin. Unless, of course, you were taken against your will and could find yourself roaming lost and scared in the Masquerade... just like Asher. The poor bebe needed guidance, but he first needed to open himself up to it. She would help how she could, but he was fiercely opposed so far.
She drank, and she indulged in the sweet taste of Lilah's blood. It was just up Emmeline's alley and it had been a long time since she indulged in another female. Usually young men were forever on hand to cater to her, and with her beauty, more than willing to be her passing meals or sexual gratification if she was in the mood. Emmeline's sexuality was fluid. She could probably be labelled bisexual, but it didn't even isolate to that because her sexual preference came second to her fine and exquisite taste. If the person was beautiful, rich, talented, smart... it didn't matter to her what they had between their legs. It had also been a very long time since she had any sort of relationship. Her job made it hard, but she knew Blaise was hoping she might settle and seek love now she was to be based in New York for a little while.
"À chacun son goût," she finally responded when she had drank her fill. She didn't spill a drop, her tongue lapping over the tiny piercings to heal them, and then gently brushed at the corners of her lips with her fingertip just to be sure. "What would The Masquerade be without a variety of tastes, mon belle? Boring is what it would be. I find New York distinctly lacking in character and culture, but alas, this is where I am required to be right now. My presence is of utmost importance. All is not lost. I have a dear friend who lives here and mon oncle will visit frequently. I also brought my confidante. I could not survive without him."
The fact was, beautiful models breezed in and out of Lilah's life like clockwork. Marketing was something she was damn good at, but it was also an excellent way to bring her meal of choice to her regularly. She'd lost count of how many models had stepped foot into this office, their perfect bodies offering Lilah just the nourishment she needed before she'd wiped their memories of what had happened and sent them back out to do their jobs. Some of them had met more than just her need for nourishment along the way. And then there was Saxon, her dearest friend, whom she'd Embraced. What they shared was a strange cross between a lesbromance and a friends with benefits arrangement, Saxon being pretty much the only male that Lilah bothered with on any sexual level anymore. He jokingly referred to himself as her gay fail, and it was more or less true.
But for all the beautiful models Lilah had tasted, or had on a sexual level, none were quite so stunning as the Toreador who was partaking hungrily of her blood. A small sigh escaped Lilah as the model finished, healing her quickly. "If you find New York lacking in character and culture, the rest of the US will be barbaric by comparison," she said, her tone light as she remained where she stood, her body still pressed close to the model's. "The photos don't do you justice," she murmured, turning her head to the side to gently run her finger down the other woman's cheek. "You are exquisite..." Licking her lips, her eyes still tinged with silver, she carried on the conversation for the moment. "You have a friend here in New York?" she asked warmly. "Anyone I might know? This City is full of Kindred... Very easy to blend in here... But it's good that you won't be alone, love. If the group who were waiting for you outside is any indication, you've brought quite the entourage along."
"Oui, mon cherie. I have a friend who has recently come to settle in your beautiful City. He is of much importance to mon oncle, but a Toreador and requires some assistance in helping a young fellow Toreador find his Kindred feet." Emmeline paused for a moment and watched Lilah intently. She suspected the businesswoman was unaware of Asher's recent transition, though it was hard to know for sure who knew what. Emmeline was new here and would need a little more time to analyse the situation. She wasn't just about to out Asher from the Kindred closet if he was keeping his status concealed. She did know he interacted very little with his business since he had been Embraced, instead working via advisors whilst he continued to man his unstoppable fashion empire. As it was, Lilah may not have even been in Asher's presence for a very long time. "My friend is the Childer of the Scottish Prince who is a dear, dear friend of mon oncle, and rather a rogue Toreador with a cheeky reckless streak when he feels like it. A familiar face is sometimes all someone needs to be content, non?"
She slipped her fingers into the ends of Lilah's hair and let the soft strands loop around her palm. Emmeline was the epitome of a Toreador and all beautiful things fascinated her. She liked to sense and touch and truly thrived on beauty. Lilah was no exception. "His name is Logan Buchanan. The lover of Eric Knight, your Prince's younger brother." And she was a massive gossip of all things Kindred. Being a French socialite and a face of the international fashion scene, she was aware of all connections she needed to be in situations like this. "Tu es jolie, chaton. Tu as faim?" she asked and then without waiting for Lilah's confirmation of hunger, Emmeline's pinkie nail transitioned into a razor-sharp point and she sliced it slowly across the swell of her own cleavage, blood seeping quickly from the wound.
Lilah was intrigued by the connections between the model's City and her own, apparently on a very large scale as well. It wasn't that she was unaware that Princes and other high ranking Kindred kept in contact so much as the fact that it was very rarely something that she herself ever came into contact with. Lilah's ambitions were not political in nature. Instead, her plans remained centered on the business world, where she could continue to run her business, pouring into it, making it grow by leaps and bounds. Power came in many forms, and Lilah sought the power of a world-renowned business woman. That didn't mean, however, that she wasn't very interested in the political workings of their world, how it was run, and by whom. "A newly Embraced Kindred?" she mused aloud. She had no idea who the woman was speaking of, but found herself wondering if it was someone she knew. The last new Embrace she knew about was Saxon's, and that had been quite a while back. He had well and truly found his feet as Ventrue, coming into his own completely. "I can agree with that," she replied, still pressed closely to the woman behind her. "It's why I keep myself surrounded by those I know and can trust."
The Toreador model remained true to her Clan's reputation as she stood there, letting her fingers move through Lilah's loose curls. The businesswoman had to admit that there was something flattering in the attentions of a Toreador. By no means did Lilah find herself unattractive, and she had no trouble finding someone to feed from or bed, as the mood took her, but many times, that particular pursuit was helped along by her power more than her physical beauty. The Toreador, however, seemed fascinated far more by Lilah herself, her hair and her body, and a soft sigh of appreciation fell from her lips before she even realized it was coming. "Of course," Lilah replied, once the name sunk in with her. She knew most of the happenings of her own City's Kindred, which, perhaps was all the more why she was surprised that she had no idea who the newly Embraced Toreador was. But all thoughts of that were quickly tossed aside as the model readily offered her own blood, setting all of Lilah's senses on fire as her eyes went completely silver. Pressing one hand to Alyce's lower back, and the other between her shoulder blades, she leaned in, pressing her mouth hungrily to the seeping cut. It was perfect, the way it coated her tongue, smoothly going down her throat only to be replaced by more. She drank until she'd had her fill, her hand delving lower, to the model's hip. Quickly healing the wound, Lilah gently ran her tongue over her teeth to make sure they were clean. "Delicious, darling," she murmured appreciatively, before her mouth came to press a soft kiss to the other woman's neck.
Emmeline gave a tiny wave of her hand. "Couçi-couça. Not entirely newly Embraced. It has been about six months, give or take. To meet the bebe, you would never know he was a Childer. Plays his cards extremely closed to his chest and could be mistaken for being old school. He is very savvy with a lot of natural Toreador instincts. He has learnt of our Kind extremely adequately for survival, yet I feel he yearns for the life he left behind. Alas, some Kindred do feel lost once we awaken, even if we were Embraced by choice. It is never something anyone can know until one experiences it and lives it. He is his Sire's first Childer, so a little assistance to both of them, and the delicate hand of a femme. You know what it is like when there is too much testosterone in business. It inevitably gets messy."
She let her head drop back and her eyes fall closed as the familiar passionate rush flooded through her that came from being fed on. Her thick, glossy hair tumbled down over her back and she indulged purely in the sensations that, to a Kindred, was way better than sex. In fact, sex was mostly used as a means to increase the pleasure of feeding, as opposed to sex just being sex. A Kindred didn't need sex, they just used it as a means to an end, though Emmeline was every inch the Toreador. If she enjoyed a beautiful body, she would often bask in the admiration more by having ex without feeding. It had to be immaculate, however, and Lilah definitely fell right into her tastes.
Once they were nourished, though, Emmeline went over to sit elegantly in the chair by Lilah's desk. "Shall we get down to business now, mon amour? Tell me, what do you know of one Asher Rose?" It sounded as if Emmeline had never met him, which wasn't true. She had spent some time with Asher, but he had been very guarded, as expected. She needed to gather impressions of him from others, whether he was exhibiting his Kindred status or more than adequately masking himself. Logan's life could be on the line here, and it was her job to try and protect him as she could.
For a moment, in the heated moments of taking her fill from Alyce's body, and the buzz that was the closest thing she could associate with the concept of being high, Lilah let her mind focus in on the sensations of feeding. Forgotten was the discussion at hand of the Toreador Childer who was, as yet, not named, and Lilah's mind was completely clouded with the sensuality of the flawless body pressed close to hers that had, only moments earlier given her nourishment. Yes, models were definitely her taste, but this particular model was far above and beyond Lilah's usual pickings. She'd had many beautiful women, and men, for that matter, and this was by no means the first time she'd fed on one of her Kind, but it was no matter. Alyce was every bit the Toreador, and not only did she appreciate beautiful things... she was, at her very essence one of the most beautiful things. But there was little time to waste in basking in what was the Kindred equivalent of the most powerful of orgasms. There was business to talk, and the predatory part of Lilah was already imagining how the model's perfect form would look in the clothes that she had come to model.
"Yes, of course," she replied, taking a seat at her own desk, smoothing her hands over the skirt of her impeccably designed suit. Lilah's bread and butter was the fashion world, and it did not do well for her to try to attract fashion designers to her firm if she herself did not dress with high fashion at the back of her mind. "Asher Rose? He is one of the most fashion forward and innovative designers in the country, if not the world. Literally brilliant. I've never seen anything like it. One so young who is above and beyond many designers double his age. You will find he has designs for every body type, from the svelte, to the... voluptuous body types. Absolutely brilliant. I was told before I first met him that he could look at a fabric and see immediately the shape that a garment would take. I've seen it in person, and I was not lied to. As for knowing him personally... I met him when he was starting out. Very young and idealistic. He's beautiful... probably much to your taste, if not for the fact that he is decidedly and unashamedly gay. But the truth is... I have not seen Asher in person in quite some time. Not after the accident that most believed took his life. He's still alive, though, or so they say. I remain in contact with his office, though I haven't spoken to him directly in that time. His designs leave no doubt, though. They are his work."
Emmeline had turned her cell phone off for this, otherwise there was a chance she could get bombarded with calls that threw her off her focus. It was important for her to somehow paint some sort of picture of who Asher was, even professionally, so they could help him in the best way. Right now, he was stonewalling them all. He had this invincible fortress built up around him and his emotions, and even though as Kindred, they could sense his more dramatic mood shifts, especially when he was hungered, he still had this ability to shield them from the most important things he was trying to protect. He was taken against his will, which didn't make for a good Kindred foundation, but Asher was amazing Kindred and an amazing Toredor. He could be extremely powerful without the short fuse that came with abhorring what he was. Emmeline wanted to try and help Logan and Eric as much as she could, especially knowing who Eric was. Plus, she just wanted Asher to find contentment. It was a broken heart at play here, and sometimes that could be one's own worst enemy above any and all threats to their life elsewhere.
"I have had the distinct pleasure of interacting with him a time or two in the past, and he is stunning. It was never a question in my mind that I would accept the job of working with his designs on a regular basis. I have a friend with a vested interest in him and his... talent. Do you know anything of him in the past? His personality, how he was interacting with people, if he has close friends nearby? I know, I sound positively nosey here but..." She paused, thinking on her toes here. "My friend has taken quite a keen interest in Monsieur Rose in a less than innocent way. I thought I might fancy myself a little bit of a matchmaker. After all, in this day and age, it seems near impossible to find someone who completes you. I could never pass up the opportunity that they may be each's other's perfect matches." Only not, considering Asher's perfect match was a mortal who had always owned his heart, but here Emmeline was using a little Toreador creative licence to any snippets of information she could on better understand Asher.
"You are pure Toreador, Alyce," Lilah replied in a light tone that wasn't really teasing, so much as stating the truth with a hint of amusement. The other woman's fascination with all things beautiful and artistic was obvious, and Lilah couldn't help the fact that it attracted and amused her all at the same time. As Ventrue, Lilah found far more fascination in ways to build her little marketing empire than in art, but it paid associating with a certain number of Toreador, especially in her business. She had many Toreador designers who created the layouts for the ads she sold, and they definitely brought a level of beauty to them that few others were capable of. Still, it couldn't be said that Lilah didn't appreciate beauty She had to, in her line of work. "Your Clan and mine have always worked well together in this line of work, I've discovered. I'm surprised that I had no idea, though, that you were one of us."
"Oh?" Lilah responded. "And this friend of yours? Is he Kindred as well? Toreador, too, no doubt, if he's got an eye on someone like Asher. Unless, of course, he's Ventrue and has a taste for fashion designers? I know very little about him outside of his business. I do know that he has a few friends in the City, though only because he mentioned in passing that he was going to meet them, back when he still came here quite often." She offered the model a smile. "It sounds like you're quite a dedicated friend, darling... Asher is hard to get in touch with these days... Much less to get to come out and meet people. I do wish you luck, though." Lilah wasn't aware of Asher's romantic status, and it made sense. He was a very private person, and she really didn't expect him to be forthcoming with the romantic deatils of his life.
"Emmeline, mon chaton," Emmeline corrected her with a veiled smile. Her dark eyes locked to Lilah's face. "As a Kindred in this business, it is not only the fashion that is required to change with the seasons. One must continuously reinvent oneself or The Masquerade would be at threat. Sooner or later, Alyce will simply fade into fashion history and become an enigma no one really knows enough about to question. Who knows what might take her place. I'm thinking of going blonde next time, but who knows. Oui, mon belle. Toreadors have no interest in business, yet the world of beauty is one massive cutthroat corporation. We need Ventrue to build the empires that we can thrive in. Mon Oncle is one of the best Ventrue to walk the earth, one of the finest. Does not take fools lightly. But he has been around so long, he is very set in his old ways. Me? I thrive on the modern times, even if my ancestory is very dear to me. Ma mère... she was notorious in her time. Still is."
She gave another smile and then a light laugh. "Oui. I do not mix with many mortals beyond those required in my job. Too many secrets to conceal. My friend is Childer to the Scottish Prince, though he has come to base himself here. His lover is here, so he is settled for now. You could say they both have a vested interest in Asher. But he is an international prize. There would be many who would desire a piece of him. But you are Ventrue, so you would certainly appreciate the value of using one's connections to one's advantage." Though, Emmeline was intrigued by the fact Lilah hadn't pushed more for information on Asher if she was so deeply connected to his business interests. "You were never curious to discover if he was well in the wake of his accident? Wouldn't your business be at distinct risk if he wasn't?"
"Emmeline," Lilah repeated easily, liking the sound of that name much more than the assumed name under which the Toreador was modelling. "Certainly. The concept of being forever young, while intriguing to most, doesn't translate well into the public eye. The fashion industry lends itself well to a beautiful marriage of the Toreador and Ventrue Clans. But then, our Clans have long been allies. Who is your uncle? You speak of him often... You must be very close. And your mother? Is she Kindred as well, darling?" Lilah had no idea how old Emmeline was, but it struck her to wonder how many of the old fashion magazines that her staff often referred to for vintage concepts may have contained photos of Emmeline in a different form or appearance.
"This is the friend you spoke of earlier? Who is lover to my Prince's brother?" Lilah put the pieces together just a bit. "So your friend appreciates Asher's beauty and skill, and Eric... who is also the Ventrue Primogen, as I assume you know, being friends with his lover... sees the business potential there? Or are they both interested in him on a more physical level?" Emmeline's question was a valid one, and Lilah responded with a tiny shrug of her shoulders. "I spoke with his assistant early on, and was informed that the accident wasn't as bad as they'd believed it to be, and Asher was recuperating at home. I didn't press for more information out of respect for Asher and his privacy, and when new designs came in, it was obvious that they were his work."
This just earned a veiled smile from Emmeline as she relaxed back into the chair and put her Manoloed foot up on the edge of Lylah's desk, tracing her long, red nail slowly and tantalisingly over her thigh. "Non, they chopped off her head. Let them eat cake!" she declared with a light laugh and a flick of her fingers. "I was birthed Princess Sophie Hélène Béatrice of France. Mon père was Louis XVI, King of France and ma mère, Maria Antonia of Austria... Marie Antionette. Very much not Kindred. Mon oncle, however is another story entirely. Blaise Mathieu Richelieu, Kindred Prince of Paris and France. Second son to Francis I, King of France in 1522. Second in line to the throne, but it was never meant to be. Blaise was Embraced against his will just before his 28th birthday, but his death stood. He separated himself from court and learned to relive as Kindred. He isn't really mon oncle... just a distance ancestor of mon père. I nearly died in infancy and was left by the royal physician to die. Blaise heard of the tragedy and had me stolen from my chambers by the nurse, who told the physician I had died. They believed it to be an infant corpse they buried, but it was the body of a small animal wrapped in silk cloth. Blaise rescued me, I was adopted by a barren couple in the French countryside. I grew up with them and when I was old enough, he came to tell me everything. That was how I chose my Embrace and here we are today. Rather old school, non?"
She knew a hell of a lot, but she wasn't going to reveal any specifics to Lylah. She had Logan's best interests at heart, considering they shared a Sire. She knew what he had done was against Kindred law, but Embrace against one's will was never as cut and dried. Even Blaise knew what had happened, which was part of the reason he was here. He had an extremely unique way of presence to draw the most unsuspecting of people in. If they couldn't get to Asher, Blaise would likely go beyond him to people near him for information and no one would suspect anything. "Mon ami is a Toreador. Asher's beauty and beautiful mind is what attracts him and fascinates him. Hence why so many Toreador walk the fashion world, it is full of beautiful things. But I believe Asher is Eric's refined Ventrue taste. Asher intrigues them both, but his mystery makes it even more of a tantalising game. Like the most devilish kind of playing hard to get."
Lilah's face gave away none of the shock she immediately felt at the revelation of exactly who Emmeline's mother was. She'd heard rumors for years that certain high ranking members of the French Royal family were among their number, but she had never realized that Marie Antoinette's infant daughter, long presumed dead, would not only have lived, but have lived to become Kindred, and walk into her office. She had to force her eyes away from the other woman's thigh. Emmeline not only appreciated beauty herself. She knew how to use her own beauty to get what she wanted. And even as Kindred herself, Lilah had to focus on keeping her attention on the business at hand instead of the gorgeous body so seductively posed in front of her. "So you are the daughter of the famous Marie Antoinette," she mused aloud, letting her own fingertip trace lightly over her collarbone. "Indeed it is old school, darling. You have so much intriguing history surrounding you. My past is far less... interesting you might say. French history has always been so fascinating to me. So much deception and intrigue... And I was always sure there were many of our kind involved along the way."
Lilah was intrigued by the vagueness of Emmeline's words, but she watched her without letting anything through her calm facial expression. "Asher is very much the closed off and private type. It must be quite the cat and mouse game between him and your friend. I am hoping that there will be a chance for me to meet with him soon in reference to his new line. It's a brilliant one, and I'd very much like his input on our marketing pitch this time around. Getting an appointment with him is near impossible, though."
Emmeline flicked her fingers dismissively, very much a trait of royalty when she had no further interest in dealing with something. These days she was modern-day royalty, one of the top celebrities of the world. Same deal. She didn't do anything she didn't want to, and that was no secret. "Centuries past. Power can also be weakness. Only a select few know of my true past and connections. France is not for the faint-hearted. If only we were solely about that gaudy tower and expensive fashion labels. Rebellion can still be very much alive and well amongst Kindred. A lot of us still bear our old and historical values, right along with old and historical loyalty and patriotism."
Her Kindred sense was so well-tuned from centuries of living in the Masquerade, though, and her dark eyes never left Lylah's face as she took in every tiny little reaction, movement, tapping into some of the other Kindred's emotions. There was no nervousness there, which was a positive thing according to Emmeline. She preferred confidence, it was more arousing to her Kindred senses than negative emotions, but she knew she definitely had hooked Lylah's intrigue here. She was trying to mask it, but Emmeline mingled so closely with some of the world's most powerful Ventrue, Brodie included, and reading them was never a huge feat for her. One thing she could specifically target here was that Lylah honestly didn't have the information on Asher Emmeline needed because she wasn't concealing anything. She was being honest, and whist frustrating to Emmeline that she would need to work harder here, she was perhaps more thinking now that Lylah could be a fine ally in her plight... because she would want information on Asher that she didn't already have.
Though Emmeline wasn't about to launch the poor dear out of the Kindred closet. She would never out a fellow Toreador unless they were a direct threat to her. It also told her that Lylah really hadn't been in Asher's presence recently, or she would have immediately sensed he was Kindred. "Sounds like the darling has secrets to keep. But who doesn't, hmm? Cat and mouse is what both Eric and Logan thrive on. Eric has brushed with crime in the past, and ironically, Logan is an ex MI6 Agent. The chase alone is arousing, however Monsieur Rose does not appear to want to be caught... perhaps you should insist on an appointment with him? Perhaps we could meet with him together?"
TBC...