Thread: "Idle Hands..." Studio (Attn: Anyone 12/15/09)

Amanda was strolling the town. She had no aim or place to be. She subconsciously found her way to Ash's studio. Apparently she hadn't seen enough of him to make up for the lost time. Amanda approached the door quietly and stood silently. She particularly enjoyed classical music this evening. It matched the breeze against her skin. "Evening Ash."

The sweet tones of his sister's voice floats on the waves that the music is creating and pierces his reverie. A slight smile creases his lips as his hands move of their own accord. Without looking up he whispers to her, "Mandy, I knew it would be you who came to see me first. Somehow I knew before you ever set foot outside your door that you would find your way here." He then turns and looks directly at her with a mischievous look in his eye. "Stop standing in the door. Come in and warm yourself by the fire," as he says this he motions with his head to the large fireplace built into the wall but with one of those new infrared fireplaces that heat and look like a real fireplace, but there is no flame. His hands still work the clay and he picks up another tool to start detailing the hair of his current work. A small seat is setting near the fireplace as if waiting for a model to come sit.
"We need to talk about the family. I have a feeling that though we got the support of Lisette and Bishop that we haven't heard the last of the challenge to your leadership." Finally he looks up at Amanda and gestures to the seat. "Please take it. It has been a few years and I want to make sure my memory is true." With that he finishes the first lock of hair and Amanda can tell it is how it has looked since the night that she had left him with their sire and set out on her own.

Amanda gracefully carried her self across the room to the fireplace. She stood in front of it for a few moments with a stare. Amanda let out a small chuckle when he spoke about her being the first to visit. "Of course I would be! I feel I don't have very many places to travel to, really."

Amanda turned to watch her beloved brother work on his sculpture. She turned her head to the side as if to get a better look. It seemed vary familiar. She let out a small chuckle as she realized who it was.

"We do need to speak about the family. I feel I have the full support of the Bishop and Miranda. Miranda you have yet to meet; she is my whip. Very dear to me..." Amanda took a seat on the stool next to the 'fire'. She let out another one of her giggles as Ash spoke about getting things accurate. "Massimo on the other hand is a different story. I do not understand why he would not speak to me about the issues that he has with me."

Amanda let out a sigh and continued to another thought, but leaving the previous one up for discussion. "I am very very disappointed in my clan, Ash. I never thought my biggest enemies would come from within. I keep my clan neutral and previously clean from any negative statuses." Amanda snickered.

A few more strokes with the bone tools and another lock of hair was done. Ash looked at his sister as she spoke and waited for her to finish speaking before he offered an opinion. "Massimo...I wonder if it wasn't a move on his part to gain favor with Angelique? Being on the good side of an elder is a desirable place to be for those of us with so few years behind us." He sets the tool aside as he focused his full attention to the discussion. "How much of this coup attempt do you think was Angelique's doing?"

"As to neutrality I don't think that is going to work out for us in the long run. We have to side with someone. Our allegiances can change over time, but we need a side. Preferably the winning one."

Amanda gets up from her chair and walks over to view his work. She leans over him in a hug as she stares at it. "That is wonderful Ash. I am flattered once again!" Amanda reached out and touched it lightly on the cheek. It was a masterpiece. It felt as though she was looking a mirror.

"I know Angelique was behind it. Massimo was on for the ride. They together plotted. I guarantee she fed his face with lies. They took advantage of the new kindred in the city." Amanda began to get worked up. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "Oh well..."

"I am not saying I don't have allies. I just don't have any enemies, that I know of. I do understand what you are saying. I need to pick my friends and allies. I know, right now, I have the full support in Colonel Benjamin Walker and JTM of Clan Brujah." Amanda let out another crackling chuckle. "I suppose I do need a few more, huh?" She stood back up on her own feet and looked around the room once more. Making her way slowly to the bench once again.

The form of her face had taken shape under his hands as the conversation had progressed. He had molded this face enough that he didn't even have to pay attention to the work as they spoke.

"I think you have more support than just those two if the events of the other night are any indication. I realize that some of it might have been more ire directed at Angelique for the way she had handled the situation, but the response was quite quick which lead me to think that you had more support than you thought among those leading the city."

He turned to look at his work and realized that his hands had transfered the anger she felt a moment before to face before him. As she touched it's cheek he quickly eased the emotion from the face.

"What about those of the Rose? What can we do to built support within our own ranks? I really should meet those that were absent and get to know those who I did meet better. As it stands currently our clan stands divided in the eyes of the city. We project discord when the outward show should be harmony. I think we should have a get together here and invite those who will come to discuss where those of the Rose should go from here, and we should do it soon."

His hands played over the face over and over smoothing, shaping, perfecting. "I have a question for you to think about. What does the clan of the Rose have to offer the city and what do we ask in return? It is time we turn our attentions to bettering the world around us and in turn better ourselves."

"I may indeed have much more support, then I thought. I do also have the support of Lazarus, from clan Ventrue..." She dozed off in a moment of thought. "They did turn quickly. I was very surprised. I felt truly honored to have such support in that matter. I need to meet with a few Primogen in thanks." Amanda sat at the stool once more, looking up at Ash in a posing manner.

"I do need to meet with my clan. I should meet with them soon. It has been long enough. I had to take a moment away to allow a few matters and emotions to cool before hand. I am sure you understand. You met the majority of my clan, all with exception of Miranda." Amanda looked down at the fireplace. There wasn't much to see, but she still stared at it pleasingly.

After sometime she lets a powerful sentence drop from her mouth like an anchor at sea. It was painful for her to speak, "I already know I have little to offer the city."

Ash sets his tools aside and stands from his bench. Walking over to Amanda he takes her hands into his left hand and lifts her chin with his right until he is looking her directly in the eyes.

"It takes a great person to admit when they have a weakness. I know you would never say that to anyone else and I am grateful that you would trust me enough with it."

Squatting down next to her seat, still holding her hands in his, "You have a clan to offer. You have whatever skills, influence, or powers of the blood to offer to this city. You speak for us and we support you. You also offer up the loyalty of the Roses to the city. We are now the largest family in Lamar and you offer that to Maddalena. You have much to offer." Hoping his words are helping her he continues, "When next we meet with our clan we need to discuss just what we would like to offer to the city. Our family is closest to the mortal world. I am sure each of us had a small measure of influence that we can bend towards helping the city as a whole. Some of us are competent in combat and we can offer that up as well. But we need to start working together, not against each other."

Amanda looked desperately into his eyes. She so badly wanted to look away in shame, but alas did not. It sent chills down her back. She had not felt close to anyone in some odd years. Knowing her flesh and blood from the beginning of time was next to her made her feel as though she was confident and stronger then ever.

"You are right Ash, I would never speak of this to anyone, but you. I trust you more then anyone or anything. I trust you not to leave me astray, but being a helpful hand. To guide me until I am self sufficient."

Amanda nodded as Ash spoke softly. She understood and agreed with what was being said. She took more then just a few moments to take it all in and develop a plan before she spoke again.

"We shall organize a clan meeting in the next few days. I am keeping tabs on who knows who and to what extent, boons that are existing, and what all they have to offer as far as influences and powers they posses. I am not allowing my clan to sit idly by no longer. We will be united and needed. I will give Clan Toreador a fair name for its self, in this city." She kept a hold of Ash's hands and griped them harder as she continued to spoke.