Jacob returned the next evening at Franka's request. He had thought she would want some more time to recover, but she seemed to want to continue while it was still raw. Renard met him as usual. Their small talk had become habitual. "The Lady is a bit of a masochist. She gets pleasure from digging around in wounds. Even if they are her own. Catharsis though pain I suppose."
Jacob smiled as they walked to the study. :Well I guess after all these years one would have to be slightly masochistic to continue on. How else is she to resolve all she's experienced over the centuries if she can't find some pleasure in the pain?"
"Very true. She and Tybalt seem to very alike for being so different. They both carry their demons close to the heart. Do you require anything while you wait?" Renard moved to the door anticipating Jacobs response.
"No thank you Renard. I'm familiar with the bar by now so I think I will be okay." He smiled and set up his table. He noticed someone from the staff had placed a tray of cookies on the end for him.
Sitting on an antique couch in Franka's dressing room, Tybalt was making a futile attempt to convince Franka to take a day to rest. "I just worry about you bringing up too much at once and ripping open old wounds."
From behind her screen Franka was attempting to appreciate Tybalts concern. She came around the screen pinning her hair up into a french twist. "So you would have me ignore my history in my own memoir? It happened Tybalt! I killed my child under the power of a narcissistic Giovanni. It happened. It hurts and it makes every day a little harder, but it happened almost 500 years ago. It created me as I am now. Had it not gone the way it did, a naive little farm girl would have been embraced Giovanni and lived her life in their world."
"I doubt that. You have too much passion to have let that happen and Adriano definitely would have ended it before it began. I still remember the day he came to have me guard you. He loved you. No Giovanni would have gotten through him and you know it." Tybalt stood to escort her out.
"Do you remember our introduction? I was so full of myself. I had already been through so much and had just gotten used to not being on my land in his home instead. The last thing I wanted was a babysitter."
"I seem to recall you telling me that almost word for word." He kissed her cheek and left her to Jacob. He gave the writer a glance. He had done extensive research on the young man before ever allowing him in their home. He knew more about the Cross family than they most likely would ever know about themselves. He just wondered how much they knew about him.
"Good evening Jacob. Start a new page. We're jumping forward a few years. Tybalt just reminded me pf a lovely memory. Are you ready?" Jacob nodded. "So after my embrace Adrianno and I spent most of our time on my estate. I was now the Duchess, in charge of the land and business holdings. Much to the disappointment and embarrassment of the local Giovanni. The Duke had really screwed them over by dying. Adriano and I spent time painting and shopping. We took in Operas and enjoyed all the Renascence had to offer. He taught me what it was to be Kindred and what it was to be of the Rose. And then it was time to move on. Adriano was needed back in Sicily. The Torreador had appointed an alternate Primogen while Adriano educated me, but it was time for him to return and get back to his duties. I moved my family from the farm to my home and appointed my sisters husband the new Duke. Not exactly how it should have been done, but who was going to argue with me? We were in my new home a little over a year when I was attacked. The Giovanni weren't very interested in allowing me to live. I knew too much about them and should have been one of them. Letting me live was not acceptable. I'm not sure why it took so long for them to make a move, though I suspect Adriano had been hiding other attempts from me.
Adriano and I were in the library discussing a recent meeting he had when we heard shouting out front in the courtyard. As we entered into the hallway there were staff members running all over the place. Adriano had me follow him into a side room where he handed me two guns. We had been practicing with them, back then they only had one shot a piece so he wanted to make sure I could make them count, but I really never expected to have to use them. As we headed out towards the front of the house the two Brujah guards we had came running past us. I remember them telling Adriano that we were under attack and they suspected Giovanni by the manner of the attack. No sooner had they continued on and we had entered the kitchen to see a ghost come through the wall." Franka eyed Jacob. He believed in vampires, how did he feel about ghosts? He didn't seem to have any reaction at all, he just concentrated on Franka and his papers. So she continued.
"I'm not sure that you've ever seen a ghost come though a wall, but it was a first for me. My first instinct was to scream, and then shoot the horrid thing. It looked as if it had been a fallen soldier from some past war. Half of it's head was caved in and even though I could see right through it, when it floated forward and struck me with it's sword, the wound was very real.
My scream and the gun shot got the attention of a few of the staff who were still inside. They rushed in to defend me. The poor fools stood no chance, the monster just ripped them apart as they tried to attack it. After killing the third servant, it turned it's one glowing baleful eye to me and advanced. I shot it again and noticed that it was significantly less...there. Less real than before, but it was still coming. That is when Adriano got involved. I had never seen him move so fast in my life. He was literally a blur as he moved. I couldn't even make out what he was doing. All I know is that a moment later, the ghost was gone and he was standing there.
We gathered our wits and began taking stock of the damage. Adriano wasn't forthcoming with any information so I let him be. We learned that we lost both Brujah to a pair of ghost dogs. We pieced together that several Giovanni and their ghouls had attacked the front of the house as a distraction. Was all of that clear? It's a bit fuzzy after all this time?"
"Yes Ma'am. Just one question. What the hell came through the wall, and okay two questions, ghost dogs? Really?"
"Franka smiled. She enjoyed his clarity and ability to make light of something that many had a hard time comprehending. "Yes, ghost hounds. I really can't give you more than that. But similar to the ghost in the kitchen, ghost hounds. Later as we went to sleep, assured that the proper safety measures had been taken, Adriano explained the ghost to me. Giovanni necromancers essentially have pet ghosts called wraiths. They can be damaged or even sent back to the beyond, but they are under the necromancers control and are usually called back to their master before being killed, again.
Adriano was furious. Not only at the personal losses, but also because it wasn't hard to figure out why they were there. He was also very frightened. He was grooming to eventually take his place as primogen and not all the Torreador were okay with it. He also had an upcoming trip that would take him away from the house for quite awhile. With the Giovanni becoming more blatant in their attempts to take me out, he was nervouse to leave me alone.
I of course was convinced I'd be fine. And if he was so worried he could always take me with him. That wasn't an option though. For one I needed to be there to act as primogen in his absence and earn my place. And for two, he said it was too dangerous for me to go. He did have a fabulous plan though. He was hiring a babysitter. A freaking babysitter! That was a fight. I'm sure the staff talked about it for quite some time. I was a fucking Duchess and he wanted to hire some sip shit Ventrue to keep me safe. A Ventrue! What the hell was he going to do, ride in on his white horse and joust the wraith to death? He could sit on his thrown and hang himself with the strings he pulled for all I cared. Damned blue blooded coward hiding behind great stone walls and titles probably never had dirt under his nails before. And if he dared come into my home and start ordering people about, Adriano was going to be down one Ventrue in his ally pool." She poured herself some wine. She was pretty riled up and wasn't even at the best part. Christina made an appearance, peaking around the door. "Excuse me Lady Franka, the Master told me to come check on you. He said you would be less likely to throw crystal at me for interrupting like you would if it were him."
Franka laughed a full and throaty laugh. "He is probably right. I'm fine though. I chose a new direction for the evenings theme. You're just in time to hear about the first night Tybalt and I met, if you'd like to stay." She motioned for the couch.
"Story time!" She jumped up and down grabbing a cookie off of Jacobs tray and bounced to the couch.
"Oh child to have your energy again. So as I was saying, Adriano decided I needed a pompous Ventrue to come babysit me. Adriano went to France to gather him and sent word that he would be leaving for his trip from there and that Tybalt would arrive shortly. His carriage made it's arrival in the middle of a fall storm. One of the servants little girls came running to the parlor to get me. She was so excited to have someone new staying with us. While it pained my heart a little, it did me good to see a young girl so full of life. She grabbed my hand and nearly drug me to the porch.
As I expected he arrived in true Ventrue form. The carriage was well made and had handled the long trip well. I caught glimpses of the blue velvet interior as the lightening flashed. Tybalt emerged and removed his hat to bow. The wind played with his long hair causing it to dance and float behind him. The wind also caught his dark blue cloak, pulling it back to reveal a fully dressed french highway man. Not exactly what I expected. The servant rushed to unload the carriage as my young charge took off into the rain to meet her new guest.
"Master Tybalt, how kind of you to join us." She said in the adorably flirtatious way young girls have always used. She curtsied pulling out the edges of her dress as we had practiced. She then quickly forgot propriety and grabbed his gloved hand rushing him to the covered porch. "This is the Duchess Franka-Rita Vincini the lady of the house." She giggled with the thrill of finally meeting him.
"Duchess." The word almost sounded like an insult on his lips. No one had called me Duchess outside of the title. He made a quick bow to me, keeping his eyes on me but not quite making contact. His rain soaked hair dripped onto his face, the droplets catching the light and almost highlighting his amber eyes.
"Franka will do. A pleasure to have you in our home. I'm sure the little one will show you to your room. Should I have a meal sent up?"
"The journey was long, a meal would be greatly appreciated." I remember him giving our young friend a quizzical glance and looked back to me unsure of what I was offering. I turned to her to ease his mind. "Take our guest to his quarters and then let the kitchen staff know he requires feeding. Be polite, he's a guest not a new toy." The girl blushed slightly and took Tybalt away. Much to my relief. There was something about his eyes. They chilled me in a way I thought impossible since my embrace and yet drew me in. I hoped Adriano was quick with his business. I wasn't sure how long I could deal with polite small talk from the strange Ventrue.
After I was sure he had eaten I went to his room. My intention was to make sure he approved of his accommodations. His door was slightly ajar and he seemed to in some sort of trance. I knocked and he came out of his altered state. It took his eyes a second to focus and realize where he was and who he was seeing. "Duchess, a pleasure." He motioned for me to enter.
"I told you Franka is fine. I came to make sure your room and meal were to your liking."
"I prefer Duchess. And yes thank you. Both will do nicely."
"Well prefer what you wish, but my name is Franka and that is what I expect to be called. Although, given that you are here under my employ, Lady or Mistress will also suffice."
His lips moved slowly to a lop sided smirk. "Under you employ Duchess? Forgive me, but I am here with the understanding that I am to protect you, at the request of your sire."
I was infuriated. "You would do well to remember your place. You are here to appease an over protective man and in his absence I AM the Lady of the home. I do not require a babysitter. I am quite capable of protecting myself and I certainly do not need a pompous assed miscreant with no sense of propriety to pretend he knows how to wield a weapon." I spun on a heel and started to make my way out when a throwing knife breezed past my ear and stuck in the wall in front of me.
"I apologize Duchess, but I don't want to be here any more than you want me here. But your sire made a request and here I am. I have no intention to babysit you, but I will remind you that I was chosen for a reason. I don't tend to find screaming at a wraith to be a proper method for destruction. Now if you'll excuse me I'd like to get back to what I was doing before your tantrum."
I continued to the door, "You insufferable horses behind! I will tolerate that no more. If you're to stay you will show more respect. Good evening." I slammed his door behind me and went to my own room. Never had I been spoken to in such a way. And to throw a weapon at me! And damage the walls! Yes Adriano really needed to hurry or there would be a need for apologies to Tybalts Sire for the loss of his childe."
Jacob laughed almost spitting out the drink he had just taken. "So Tybalt really was worried about you throwing crystal at him. I thought Christina was exaggerating.
Christina just sat wide eyed watching Franka and thinking about another cookie before Tybalt demanded she do her school work.
"No, I've mellowed quite a bit over time. But back then I was fighting for every ounce of respect I had. To me it was an insult to everything I had fought to become to have Tybalt waltz in to protect me. And to be honest, he didn't really waltz in, he wasn't given any more choice than I was. But that didn't matter to me. He was there and that was insulting."
As if on cue Tybalt entered. "Yes I was quite the pompous horses behind wasn't I love?" and he winked at her. " Let's call it an evening. We have guests in the library and someone has work to do if she's to keep her grades up."
Christina lowered her head. "Yes Master Tybalt. It was a lovely story ma'am." and off she scurried.
"Jacob, Renard will schedule the next meeting. I'm sure you can see your way out, I have plans for my Duchess." Tybalt grinned that same lop sided grin and took her away. Jacob once again gathered his pages and took them out to Renard.
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