<div class="floatright">(http://i.imgur.com/XJroK22.jpg)</div><strong>Barir bin Yasha</strong>- Appearance 3, Black stain of Diablerie in his aura for those with who succeed on Auspex II roll<br/><br/>The corners of Barir's eyes crinkled in amusement, but there was also sadness in his expression. "Beautiful little serpent," he says, and a hand rises to the edge of her chin, bringing her eyes up to meet his, the words said in that strange mixture of old and new. He bites his lower lip for but a moment and a sigh escapes him before he answers her. "Of course it is. Do you know of the story of the scorpian and the frog (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Scorpion_and_the_Frog)? It is no more your fault for being the way you are than that of the scorpian. Nor would I fault one of the Ventrue for being proud and aloof. Or for the Tzimisce to chase perfection forever through the shape of their body. Or for one of the Malkavians for spouting nonsense and telling the strangest tales, of magic and stardust. Or for one of the Brujah to passionately argue of their beliefs, even to the point of violence. The Beast that shapes each of does so of its own accord, dear one. It is a strange magic that flows through our veins, and it is not my fault that I was made as I am, nor yours that you were made as you are. I do not fault you for your faults, for they are part of you as much as your need to imbibe blood, and the choice to place them within yourself was not yours."<br/><br/>He released her chin gently, his eyes losing some of their amusement and instead gaining more sadness. "I do not find fault with you, beautiful little serpent," he repeated, "but I recognize your faults, and the dangers they carry. You are of the Corrupters, those who find it joy in changing minds and flesh in the service of Set. I would be a fool not to be on guard, as would any other member of the Kindred who steps into Elysium. It is not your fault, little serpent, but it<em>is</em>a reality. In the same manner, I treat every one of the Kindred here with the same respect such danger requires. To not respect danger is to bare your heart to it, and to invite death during moments of solitude. Similarly, you should be aware of the dangers even I can pose, and guard yourself against me in the same manner."<br/><br/>His tone was warm and authoritative, no trace of rejection or coldness in it, almost as though he were speaking to a child he was fond of. She could hear that hurt in his voice that matters were as such, that they had to contend with danger on all sides and that this was life. "It is fine. Peace," he says softly, laying a hand, cold against her warm cheek for just a moment before focusing beyond, his hand leaving her cheek as he looks once more towards the open window beyond, focusing once more on his duty. "Peace be between us. And if there is time, I shall visit this 'Cat's Eye' place and see precisely what place it is. And there we may have a chance to speak more, ken?" he asks, the soft smile returning to his face as he looks again in Joanna's direction and the last word in some strange language, though easily surmised as to its meaning.