Thread: This is for the Soldiers (Attn: Fitzy 11-30-09)

Emma winks at the man behind the bar and he rolls his eyes, nodding towards the place where her friend waits. Heading up to the room where Constantino waits she fiddles, not for the first time tonight, with a ribbon on a wrapped gift box. The box is decorated with blue and white ribbon and shimmers when the light hits it. It's only about as big as her hand and square in shape.

Entering the room a smile springs to life on her face, it touches her eyes... the first time in nearly a month that she'd smiled like that. "You look good." She says crossing the room. "How's the family been since I last saw them? I trust Renata told you all about the funeral." He voice darkens a bit as she remembers Alex once more. It's clear his passing pains her a bit and she'd rather not talk about it at length... rather was making polite conversation.

"I hope you don't mind I brought you a Christmas gift?" She offers it to him. "Figured it's like you said, we Catholics need to stick together and Christmas is the big one so... well, you know." She rocks on her heals noting the large assortment of items he's ordered as he takes the box from her hand.

Constantino stands as Emma enters the room, a refreshing smile crossing his face. When she compliments his look he responds with a simple, "as do you."

The conversation moves momentarily to the fallen and Tino bows his head. "I've had very little time to speak with the family...but I did hear of your loss. I'm sorry, I should have been there." Tino places a comforting hand on her arm, and looks up to her eyes. Letting his contact linger a moment he looks truly sympathetic.

Noting her desire to change the subject, Tino smiles again and begins to take the box. "Christmas gift? Should I open it now? ...Yours is still being worked on. I just hope it conveys the feelings it is meant to."

Emma doesn't say anything to Constantino's words that he should have been in the city when Alex died, instead she focuses on his question about the gift she's given to him.

"Go ahead, open it now. I'm sure I'll need to explain some of it." She sits down. Assuming he opens it he'll find a few different things inside.

First he finds a beautifully decorated Christmas card, handmade with child like writing on it's inside. The card conveys Christmas wishes and invites the reader to the O'brian family residence for Christmas dinner and to go to Christmas mass evening mass together. The instructions on the card tell the reader to bring a single, gift for someone of the same sex as themselves, not to exceed $100 as there will be a gift exchange. It also urges the reader to bring a brown bag full of food and toys for the local shelter which the family will stop at on the way to the Cathedral.

Secondly, he'll find a little black book of names and addresses. Inside the cover is Emma's handwriting and it reads 'in case the worst should ever happen.'

"I probably should have given this to the city leadership... but to be honest I have more faith that the Giovanni family will manage to stick around through all this BS and continue to contribute to the domain ...more than any single city member right now. Not because they don't want to stick around but, well, you saw what happened with Calhoun and Cahill before him. Being a good member of the sect and a contributing city member means nothing these days." Emma seems saddened by what she's said.

"That's the names and addresses of my ghouls, blood bonded humans, and contacts within the police and emergency services that I've built up over the years and managed to pick up from the Sheriff before me when he died. I know you'll use it to protect the Masquerade... but for now... please just keep it safe. Should I ever leave the domain or disappear for a time, step up to make sure these people are put to good use. Okay? I know you'll use it for your family's needs too... but, I trust that you'll use it for what matters too. The ones written in black ink are family friends of mine... or relatives. Please take special care to do well by them?"

((ooc: see me for mechanical details))

Constantino sifts through the first couple of items in the box. After reading the first couple of notes and invitations, he looks up and smiles. "Emma, I would be honored to join you and your family for midnight mass."

He then pulls out the black book, and thumbs through it carefully, listening to her speech. Tino closes the book and looks at the floor for a few minutes, obviously searching for the correct words. Looking back up and into Emma's eyes, he pulls her into a close embrace and speaks softly into her ear.

"You may be the one person in this city that I can truly trust, and that truly trusts me. Our nature forbids such a thing, but somehow you have found a way to ease the paranoia and look past insecurities inbred in our souls..." He pauses still holding the young Irish woman close. "...You told me that one of your biggest fears was losing feeling, that nothing would effect your emotion, and I pray that this never happens. ...But for some reason, if it should, I want you to know that while you may not feel... your trust, and comfort, and actions, and mere presence are lending strength to everyone. They may not see it directly, and may not appreciate you for who you are, but you have done more for this city, and more for this simple Italian here before you than I can possibly explain. I can't thank you enough, but I will will promise you that I will do everything in my power to make sure I never have to use this book."

Constantino kisses her on the cheek before letting her from his grasp. Looking once again into her eyes he smiles warmly and blinks several times as if fighting back emotion only three months ago would have been a sin to show.

"Please Emma, sit with me and dine...business can wait for a few minutes."

Emma is stiff in his arms for a moment and then seems to relax a touch, she lets the flesh of her cheek touch his as he holds her, he'll notice she's forcing breath as her chest rises and falls rhythmically against his own.

Once he lets her go and asks her to join him in his meal, she sits down and remarks, "Chavel says that trust between our kind only comes when you know the true motivations of the other beast. We have similar motivations Constantino and so, for now, I suppose that's why we get on pretty well. I have no reason to hurt your family and you have no reason to hurt what's left of mine."

Emma pours herself a drink but she doesn't drink from the glass, just holds it. "And don't worry about the invite, it was really Aunt Rose's idea. After what happened with Auntie Mab I think she's been feeling a bit guilty - though don't bring her up at the dinner. It's a sure way to get Uncle Quinn drinking and that never goes too well." She smirks.

"You'll like them though. Rose is ... well, I doubt you've ever met a woman like her and Quinn," She nods down to the big man behind the bar. "Your typical overly protective Irish father type. Faithful catholic, faithful friend, and faithful drinker." She forces a chuckle.

"Better friends you could never want for ... and with your ability to eat you're in for a real treat. Galloway," She references the perky young waitress who waits on kindred who come into sluggers "... makes a mean banana bread, Dooley's turkey is to die for and all the alcohol is shipped in straight from Ireland but something tells me that Rose will order some Italian wines too... mostly because of you, of course."

Emma gets a thoughtful look on her face then and breaks her moment of silence with, "I just hope that you don't get Galloway as your secret santa. If you do... just smile no matter what you get, I promise it was given or made with only the best intentions."

Constantino sits and mulls over the last three minutes in his mind. He politely nods when she speaks of Chavel. I probably shouldn't have done that...or maybe that is what she needed. I expected a surprised reaction, but you can feel her slipping away. How can I reverse that? ...I better get ahold of that sculptor and see how the project is progressing. Its obviously family that feed her emotions, this gift should extend that emotion for a while at least...or speed her downward spiral...

Tino chuckles a bit as she relates the quirks and minor details of her family. He looks down to the bar at the gentleman who has a reputation as a hearty drinker, and devout catholic. Galloway's prowess in the kitchen surprises him a bit, he always just thought she was a good waitress. Banana Bread, haven't had that in about seventy five years...I had better have Venice send me a bottle of wine.

"So this gift exchange...what do I get someone of their descent? I have to say I haven't really had a lot of Irish friends? Keg of some fine Irish Lager maybe?"

Constantino waits for her answer and opens one of the six pack he had ordered and takes a sip. Never a fan of beer but it seemed right for the moment. He frowns, reluctant to have to turn the conversation back in a serious direction. With a forced sigh he begins to get on with it.

"So, as you can see, I've been tasked with gearing up the mob. It never ceases to amaze me, how they turn to me or you. We're pariah to them, but we always seem to buckle under to try to change their perceptions. All complaints aside, this is one time I know for sure that without my help nothing would get done... and without your help the cities soldiers will be unfit for combat. They need body armor. Its one of two things on the list they didn't provide means to acquire. They also want long swords, I don't know how to buy 30 long swords without raising some eyebrows.

Now that is what the city needs... me... I just have some questions that I don't think they have thought of. Chavel was among the first to attempt what they are going to do. Has she relayed any of the details? Does she have an idea, who or what it is? Has she spoken of its powers? Believe me, I hate to talk about these things, especially when we were having a perfectly pleasant evening, but as you said our motivations are currently the same."

"Enniscorthy Ruby Ale better known as George Killian's Irish Red... the real Ireland stuff not that crap Coors puts out made in France." She wrinkles her nose. "It may be a bit of a hassle to track down and send someone to buy in Enniscorthy but after they sold the name and recipe to Coors it's the only place you can still find the last of the original brew."

As Constantino tells Emma about what he's been asked to do she sits thoughtfully and considers what he's asking. Her expression is a bit grave and emotion slowly fades from her eyes as he goes on. Finally, she speaks, "Figures." What that means exactly, she leaves him to determine.

"I can get you the body armor but you can't tell them it came from me. We did not have this discussion. I've already had my balls busted by Theo once this week for putting my hands into this affair.... I'd like to keep the rest of me in tact. But... I've never been one to let even retards run into danger without trying my best to help so... you'll get the armor. As for the swords... all these damn elders in the city and not a one of them has access to swords?" She arches an eyebrow. "What sort of operation do they think you're running exactly? A ren-faire?"

Emma shakes her head, her words spoke dryly she blinks slowly. "You can tell them that you have a lead who has access to blades but if they want them it will cost them a minor boon PER blade because you have to pay back the source in more than dollars and cents. If they don't like it, let them try buying a several hundred dollar replica off some website and see how long that lasts in battle against trained and armed enemies. I promise you as they die they'll be wishing they'd ponied up. This isn't a freakin' charity event... when this is done you and I still have to live in this domain and I'll be damned if we try to make a go of it without what we're due." Emma nods firmly as if that is all that needs to be said.

Tino silently kicks himself for having to change the subject. Its now abundantly clear that Emma was looking for an evening away from the grind, and he's thrown her back into the fire. He purses his lips as her temper begins to flare. Quietly he speaks again.

"That's just it, I'm running it now. I've been back for a week, and in that time had a confrontation with Cicero, a couple meetings with Ms. Scattalia. I've had to call in my favor from Theo, and been given an unreasonable shopping list all without even a hint at what that thing is. I'd never ask you to go against Theo. But I'm out of options. If they are watching you, we can't risk it. Although I'm not sure why they would be looking down on you, and its not my business, I can't help but think that your ties to me once again make life more difficult than it should be. I would appreciate the assistance though, and hopefully we will save lives."

Tino reaches a hand across the table and places it on top of Emma's. "Don't worry, after this current problem goes away, and hopefully before the next one pops up... You and I are going for a night on the town. No Cell phones, No business, No favors, No Jyhad. Just two friends getting rewarded by the lives they save every day."

"Prince Cicero isn't too fond of anyone who isn't in the Tower. Don't take it personal Constantino. Surely if you were a member he'd think of you as highly as I do. I have the benefit of being young and foolish... he's got a lot of people to impress and many of them are elders. He's playing the crowd and sticking to the partyline. He may think that's just the easiest way to be right now. He's been damn effective in getting rid of the anarchs though. Have to give him that."

Emma shrugs, leans back to relax a bit and seems to calm down. "Look I'm sorry I'm so uptight it's just ..." She seems to consider it's better not to say why she's so upset and she quickly shakes her head and goes back to Constantino's questions.

"Sorry, you asked about what Chavel saw when she went into the Prairie with Art. She wanted to talk to you about this in person but when you left town she was pretty much out of luck on that one. Chavel did say what she saw was tainted by the infernal. Was it a demon? She is inclined to say no but only because she's never seen a demon in the flesh... now, granted, that doesn't mean it doesn't possess a ton of super powers the likes of which we can't imagine. See, she told me there is a race of kindred who sell their souls for demonic powers and these guys get pretty similar to demons in their danger factor and general bad-assery."

"She took a few good hits from the thing before she grabbed Morgan and bugged out. Now, whether that was because of how nasty this thing is or if it was simply because they weren't properly prepared... again, I can't say. I do know it took several nights for her wounds to close up... like she'd been hit with fire or the sun itself. She claimed that the ground under them rumbled and even moved slightly. When I asked around with some people I know at the college, apparently the mortals are now watching fault line activity thanks to that little trick of its. Is this a good thing... at first I thought not but in a way, maybe this thing will be taking care of it's own masquerade breech. If it's powerful enough to effect the land or weather, chances are mortals will label whatever happens out there a natural disaster... Chavel thinks that's what the Justicar is banking on and it seems reasonable to me."

"So anywho..." Emma says, pulling a flask out of her pocket and taking a swig. "... can I put you down for some fire blankets too then?"