Originally posted September 15, 2008
((Another entry dealing with Siobhan's extended family that happened to coincide with Shiv's adventures with the Crey. I found it fun to set WoD sensibilities in the CoH world as Siobhan's grandmother casually discusses how to manipulate the young mage and her new girlfriend.))
“Madness,” Dr. Samantha Thomas whispered to the evening air. A garishly caped figure waved to her figure on the hotel balcony. “Absolute insanity.”
Samantha reflected on the twinkling bursts of light on the street below her. Let her cousins eye Paragon as a prize. The risks from too many X factors outweighed the meager benefits a city of this small size could offer. Her granddaughter had chosen wisely. Samantha would not follow her here.
Looking once more into the night sky, Samantha turned from the balcony and back into the room. Tristan and Isolde looked up briefly from the dossiers spread out over a large mahogany table. Samantha settled herself in a large, leather clad executive chair. No tea for her here. With her two most trusted retainers, Dr. Thomas did not demean herself with such mundane human acts as breathing. She leaned forward on the table.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“I think she’s in for heartbreak,” answered Tristan. Samantha turned her attention to the intelligence agent. First recruited twenty years ago, the man had aged well. A light salting of his hair betrayed the age a rigorous regimen of exercise sought to forestall. He would have to choose in the next ten years, before his body grew too frail.
Holding his master’s attention, Tristan continued and opened a thick manila folder. “Look at this girl. A known criminal, history of substance abuse, constructed of highly experimental cybernetics? I give it a month, three at the longest. Quite honestly, I’m surprised by this choice.”
Dr. Thomas smiled. “You do not know Siobhan very well.”
She let moments pass.
“It’s what she feels she’s worth,” Isolde offered. “Siobhan wouldn’t feel accepted by anyone else. She believes she is only worthy of attention and from those of questionable reputation.” Isolde nodded. “And those she doesn’t truly respect.”
Samantha smiled. Tristan turned his eyes towards his ageless sister. She was getting more like them every day.
Emboldened, Isolde continued, “It’s the money. Siobhan has more money than you do, Dr. Thomas. She could set up a trust to fund Teen Phalanx for the next fifty years. Siobhan knows that this,” Isolde picked up a paper from the table, “this Macy Wu-Lyn girl wouldn’t accept the any money from illicit sources.” Tristan nodded. Siobhan’s money stemmed from a long history of Vampiric manipulations and exploitations: drugs, fraud, tracing back through slavery, to pillaging of the Holy Land during the Crusades.
“Shiv respects ‘Semjaza’ too much to even make an offer. Then she jumps at the opportunity to show off to Miss Harrison because Shiv expects Rebecca not to care where the cash comes from.” Samantha nodded. “It’s the same thing with the Irishman, Sean. She respects him too much to get involved with him romantically.”
Isolde moved her eyed from Dr. Thomas to her brother. “I can see this lasting a long time. It’s quite dysfunctional.”
“It doesn’t hold, Is,” Tristan retorted. “’Homerun Hero’ is also a convicted criminal, involved in some sporting scandal I believe.”
Isolde wrinkled her face. “Maybe Shiv’s gone over completely to the other team.”
Samantha smiled, letting the siblings continue their argument for a few moments longer. It didn’t matter if the relationship lasted a month or years. It would serve a purpose. The conversation stopped as she reached out a hand to rest on the table. “Is Miss Harrison turn-able?”
Both Tristan and Isolde nodded. “But,” Tristan added, “Her modifications will likely expunge or otherwise reject any vitae. We would need to control through some other means.”
Dr. Thomas nodded, thinking of the possibilities of two super-powered, long lived bodyguards at her side.
“Tristan, you will stay here. Continue to act as Siobhan’s personal assistant. I expect daily reports of her actions. I am also interested in any incursions by other kindred. No need to chase them out. Just keep tabs on their moves.”
“What assistance should I provide to Shiv?” Tristan asked.
“She’s my granddaughter. Give her anything she desires,” Dr. Thomas responded. She looked at her watch. It was nearly time meet Siobhan for a late dinner.
“Isolde, make preparations for our return to Chicago. We leave within the week. That will be all, for now.”
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