Shortly after the mage recovered from the vampire bite of his companion Kathryn and Lisa walk into the store, immediately Lisa's eyes move to one of the many paintings adoring the walls<br/><div align="center">(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_MPvswO6lxOY/SKrgg8Ard-I/AAAAAAAAEv8/bRQ7lSLVLEg/s1600-h/Ballivet+01.jpg)<br/></div>"You have interesting friends Kathryn" Lisa stated coldly.<br/><br/><strong>"Friends ? Hah ! " </strong>Kathryn shook her head then glanced at the mage and his companion nearby before promptly approaching them<br/><br/><strong>"Well if it isn't Mr I say hello by burning business cards given in good grace in the resident of the owner who is extending a welcome while employing the cheek not to see you being there arriving ahead of time without warning so she could arrange ahead of schedule to manage doing so ..... <em>personally</em>" </strong><br/><br/>Kathryn smiled as if she was delighted to see them both... something that did look very convincing with a perfect set of teeth... without any hint that her teeth could extend.<br/><strong><br/>"Who are they Kathryn" Lisa asked quizzically ?</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Good question Lisa"</strong>Kathryn maintained a false smile looking at the mage directly<strong>"Some people beleive they don't have to say their name during introductions, perhaps they are not important enough to warrent one, perhaps they are ashamed of what is associated with the one they have, perhaps they forget it often and do not wish to look a fool stumbling over memory of it ... perhaps though they are just .... are from social circles where others they rub with have those issues so they adopt a habbit in not doing so without being consciously away of it"</strong><br/><br/>Kathryn closed her eyes and sighed<br/><strong><br/>"You insulted me doing that without provocation, the tension between vampires and mages is tentative at best, if you can wear my words without needing to escalte matters concerning pride or station. Now before anyone's feathers are too ruffled with unecessary insults, know that as a mage you already are superior to all of us. For you have the powers of creation - AND you dont have to deal with a burning and highly antisocial need to drink others blood ... all the time."</strong><br/><br/>Kathryn's mouth formed into a line, such honesty it was hard pill to swallow for a vampire - longing for the gifts mages have without any complementary curse... harder still for an elder.<br/><br/><strong>"To distract us from the constant struggle we do surround ourselves with finery when we can and force social ettiqutte when possible. Well my blood family does, if we relax social acceptable behavior its all to easy to let other restraints go... so now that is clear, the reason for my invite was three fold, but considering your attitude towards it ... two are inappropriate leaving just one.... "</strong><br/><br/>Kathryn's hands dived to her purse then stopped<br/><strong><br/>"Oh I am used to giving money to others that I wish for but ... I assume accepting any would be above you and doing so will offend .. so unless you indicate otherwise I will refrain." Kathryn stretched her neck habbits were hard to break. With vampires and people knowing what they wanted was easy, mages ... anyone's guess ... unless one probed but doing so undetected was hard on some, likely hard with this one also.<br/><br/>"I am sure your companion has informed you who I am if you didn't already know, so as you know I am one of the few elders that has some concept of trying to fit into society and not prey on those that do not deserve it, while the word 'deserve' not being taken lightly .... "</strong><br/><br/>Mid-sentence the store owner perked up<br/><br/><strong>"Hey you lot .. Im gunna close shop soon, you two know what time it is ? I ain't running this place for charity you know, buy something or get your buts somewhere where they are loved. Whatever issues you have ... here ain't the place to manage them... "</strong><br/><br/>Kathryn looked annoyed, then quickly passed Lisa a card<br/><br/><strong>"Sorry for this Lisa but can you quickly buy five of his most valuable items ? It doesn't matter if you like them or not"<br/><br/>"Hey ! I'm not some lacky you can just order around I thought we were lovers !"</strong>Lisa's reply was abrupt<br/><br/><strong>"Lisa, as my thanks you can keep the card as long as you don't go around buying city blocks it may as well be limitless, this will be the last time I will expect you to do something without discussion, please for me, tonight's already out of hand"</strong><br/><br/>"<strong>Last time ! Hmm ... ok then I want you to start answering everything, tell me all of it"<br/><br/>"Certainly Lisa you have my word"<br/><br/>"And no memory wipes or control me to do it anyway without me knowing about it"<br/><br/>"Yes Lisa"</strong><br/><br/>After Lisa took the card to go about doing so Kathryn's attention moved back to the vampire and the mage.<br/><strong><br/>"The person talking to that young artist was one I am concerned about, an elder none have heard of for a while, and an ancient one also. What she is up to I have no insight of, which worries me greatly. I have many friends here and I care for this city, it suits me but what I don't know of I assume the worse. Frankly I am scared, the person she was talking to was a friend of mine, what designs she has of my friend is unknown to me. I know you unlikely care much about the concerns of vampires or internal politics for that matter, but I'm here in hope of a dialog between your kin and mine. My friend she is with is one of yours and if your interest extends to vampries in your company I was hoping you may also aid Element in her furthering developing hers. <br/><br/>She is a rare mage and young, how aware she is of her gift I don't know but its unlikely she understands it. I was thinking of talking her under my wing so she can practice her arts in a place without fear of persecution, but I was not sure how mage's would view her being a resident in my house. If you think it in appropriate I was hoping you could help her develope without getting into trouble, and if you do not care, knowing this also is useful.<br/><br/>If things get out of hand my kind and I will leave this city, although its large, when too many elders and archmages are here trouble is just waiting to happen, those who win are those who are far away from the scene - its that simple, in this ways life is unchanging. So ... we have exchanged insults enough for me to feel things the need to continue doing so irrelevant. You know my interest in talking to you was selfish but not utterly. If you wish not to have any more to do with me, that I will respect. However if any of these issues interest you enough to liaise with me further ... it may be enjoyable for you both and perhaps you may honor my presence with your names"</strong>Kathryn's smile returned ... while her hand snaked into her purse .. producing<em>another </em>business card ... which she placed between both the mage and his companion<strong>"... yes ladies and not-so-gentle-man, you all saw it go up in smoke, but hey presto ! its back ! Behold the indestructible business card ! "</strong><br/><br/><strong>"Magic .. he must feel <em>so </em>intimidated by such gift " </strong>Lisa said sarcastically<br/><br/><strong>"I am sure he is also Lisa " Kathryn returned the sacrasm flippantly with a wave of her hand "Yes I am an elder perhaps, but with such talent for amazing card tricks how could any want more in life ? Oh but there is more ! behold I have a sense of humor also ! Amazing ! You see Lisa, a little humor helps our kind keep light, without it we are just creatures." </strong>Kathryn quipped towards Lisa .. then thought of the sentence she said.<em>Hmm perhaps that is true of not just vampires.... </em>before turning again back to the mage.<br/><br/>