Sharing a drink [August 16th]

"T-Thank you." The twins had puzzled Jillian. What had the two vampires told them about her, did they recognise her as a fellow Ravenclaw or perhaps they had just been given instructions to keep an eye out for a young witch wearing goggles. Their eagerness to be of assistance and closeness to each other were not things she was used to, but she managed a polite smile before they returned to their work and she went in the direction of the shelves.

Jillian had got as far as making a short mental list of books she might be interested in reading or learning more about when she caught sight of Rose. She had made a point while waiting not to actually try and read any of the books, she knew the place was a store and not a library after all. The last thing she wanted was to cause offence. Even with Rose wearing a relatively simple and plain outfit, she still felt underdressed in comparison. They were just too far apart in both looks and attitude.

Joining the blonde at the table she gave the covered object a curious glance before smiling at the vampire, forcing herself against her habit to meet her eyes. "Your selections are incredible." She said as a way of greeting, before sitting down. "Only a couple of weeks now, yes. Thank you for understanding the delay in my writing to you."

Jillian was feeling a lot more relaxed about meeting Rose's gaze than previous and smiled before accepting the drink. She could not help but eye it carefully however, Maria's words popping into her mind. Beyond the fact that it was one of her favourite drinks, she had requested apple juice because it was often clearer than tea. Despite that fleeting thought, she took a sip of the drink and nodded her agreement regarding the books. She trusted Rose, no matter what Maria might think.

"I have come to the realisation that I have quite the choice to make, certainly.." she said with a twinge of reluctance to her tone. She thought hard what she could say and settled on, "David and Aisha are well, I saw them recently. Did you hear anything of what happened?"

The sound of the door opening made Jillian look up and she smiled when she saw Nikolaus making her way over. More than ever before her aura was mottled with uncertainty, though she was happy to see both vampires again. Underneath that, as always, is the gleam of her curiousity and no wonder with the cloth covered item Rose had placed within clear sight.

"They have indeed.." she sighed. Whether the two knew what had happened or not, she doubted there was much she could really say. "I assume you saw the press release at least?"

It was clear from Jillian's expression that the words had hit a sensitive spot and that she agreed with Rose entirely. "I was kept out of touch for the most part myself, Aisha is not happy with me at all or at least she was very annoyed that I pestered her about what was going on and didn't congratulate her on the wedding.. I do agree she should have reached out, but I guess I could not have helped much." she slumped in the chair a little, "I never got involved in anything but the one fan in particular mentioned in the conference was me. A cover for my attending the bands tour." she did not sound especially happy, despite the news.

"It is all over now though, they will probably be heading abroad soon. Nothing to worry about now." she forced a smile, nodding.

"Hmm? Yea, it is all sorted out." Jillian nodded again, "I don't know about a private concert, but assuming my parents end up agreeing then I could be joining the bands final tour. Probably not all of it though, school comes first and as I said, I never actually did anything to help really. Worried a lot, asked what went on and then ran away when something actually happened."

Her words would have been normal. The truth, as least as far as she viewed it.

Jillian nodded, smiling widely. "I have never been on a tour or to America, I am excited. I do not know too much about David's bandmates however, I hope they are alright and don't find my being there annoying.." There was obvious worry there. She did not want to cause a rift between David and his friends. She was not even sure if they knew anything about the magical world, which was worrying. "Do you know much about his music?"

"Term starts on the first, will that be a problem? I mean if.. you know what I mean." she babbled a bit, that was a subject she had even more worries about.

"I did spend some time in Los Angeles," Nikolaus confirmed, knowing it's almost certainly a stop for them; very few artists went on tour in the United States and didn't make a stop in the City of Angels, if for no other reason than that it was home to Hollywood. "David's bandmates are kindred, non? He would do well to be careful, there. The city is controlled in part by the Camarilla, but mostly by the Anarchs." A term he is unsure Jillian knows, but he continues regardless. "They are separatists from the Camarilla, and lack our politesse. If they find out he is with the Sabbat, they will not hesitate." And if Smiling Jack is still in town... well, he's considered a legend among the Anarchs for a reason. Without him, LaCroix would still be Prince.

He glanced at Rose, easily guessing what she's thinking right then. He remembered that too. Then he continued, even if he knew that the question was not directed at him. "I prefer the classics, myself. But I suppose after hearing his music every time I turn the radio on, it has grown on me, somewhat."

Rose noticed the way Jillian's expression turned happier and how her heart beat faster whenever she talked about David. But, then again, there was nothing new about that.

When she asked if the kindred who attacked her might have been Anarchs, Rose shook her head 'no'. "I highly doubt it. There's not much room for Anarchs in London, right now." There was barely enough room for both the Camarilla and the Sabbat as it was. "Besides, we were led to believe they were just freshly embraced kindred that had little control over their inner Beast."

The Tremere nodded as Jillian said she'd appreciate her contacting her when she'd be at Hogwarts. Clearly the young witch was feeling uneasy. But it was not because she felt intimidated by the two Tremere, that much was obvious. She was as chatty as usual, and she had even accepted the drink she had been offered.

Rose gave her a few more minutes, in case she wanted to broach the subject herself. But seeing that Jillian was not saying anything more, the Regent decided to take the matter in her own hands. "I've been looking forward to your visit, ever since our last discussion. I was wondering if you'd decided to accept my offer. The fact that you came here tonight seems to indicate that you trust us and that you want us to know we can trust you." By coming back to the bookshop, she'd proven she was true to her word. "Honestly, short of you being scared of us or of you suddenly losing interest in the Kindred who have been the closest to witches and wizards over time," and in so many ways too, "I couldn't think of any single good reason for you to reject it." She smiled a bit, visibly amused by the thought.

"I thought about the last think we talked about and I prepared something for you." She paused, briefly looked down at the mysterious object that was still hiding under its cloth. Then she looked back at Jillian, expectantly. "So have you decided?"

"Not necessarily," Nikolaus replied. "One of the first things a freshly embraced Tremere neonate learns is that we are a part of the Camarilla. Our allegiance first and foremost is to the Clan, but the allegiance of the Clan lies, carremont, with the Camarilla." He takes a sip of his own drink, and continues. "An 'Anarch' is not another word for kindred without a sect. It is less a sect, or lack thereof, and more of a movement. Comme des enfants, they are children rebelling against their parents, out of a misguided belief that they understand the world better than us."

He did not respond to Jillian's request to ask questions of them. That had been Rose's expectation from the very beginning, and Nikolaus knew it. But when she commented on the book, Nikolaus' expression softens. "You began the moment you sought us out," he replied. "And I had thought that it was your belief that knowledge is worth any price. Why the sudden hesitation?"

Rose nodded in agreement. "That's a very good comparison, Jillian. Indeed, you're perfectly entitled to ask such questions. And I have no problem whatsoever answering them. I understand this can be a concern, especially if many people have been warning you about the dangers of being around Kindred." She emphasized the many as if to say she seemed to wonder if there weren't more people than Rose herself was aware of that had warned Jillian.

"The cost, my dear, will be set based on how far down the path you want to go. First, I have to make it clear that you cannot become a ghoul or an Apprentice until you graduate from Hogwarts and are old enough to consent to it, without having to ask for anyone's permission." In other words, she wasn't eighteen yet. "So initially the cost will only be honesty, hard work and secrecy. You will not share the knowledge I give you by publishing it or sharing it with anyone without my express permission. I will also ask from you to take the assignments I'll give you seriously and to give me the assurance that you'll reach out for us first if you ever need assistance." Rose smiled, slightly. "That's not a very high price to pay, now is it?"

She took a sip of her drink before she continued. "When you're legal, you'll be able to choose if you want to become a ghoul, like the twins, or an Apprentice." She didn't go through the details of 'Acolyte' and then 'Apprentice', because the difference was just a matter of time and no one got embraced to remain an acolyte. If Jillian chose to learn with Rose, she'd have plenty of time to explain that, anyway. "One of the differences between the two is that ghouls can still live during the day like kine do, but they don't age and can use kindred's magic, while Apprentices are kindred. Ghouls are blood bound, yes. Because they can only drink the blood of one kindred and have to do so repeatedly to remain what they are. In return, I protect them and teach them how to use their newfound powers. As an Apprentice, you'll be like Nikolaus and me. You'll never be able to turn back to being kine, but you'll be one of us, and you'll be given access to our Haven."

Rose paused. That was a lot to take in.

"Should you decide you'd rather remain a witch, we shall respect that. Some secrets I will not be allowed to share with you because my sect forbids to do so with anyone that doesn't belong to the Tremere. There's still plenty for you to learn, however. And I've been looking for a research partner that I'd be able to trust and whose powers would be of a different nature than mine. I believe it would be a great opportunity for us to compare our 'magic'."

The Tremere Regent was still holding back on using any of her Disciplines right now. Instead she was relying on her natural ability to pay attention to details, even suble ones, and to make logical deductions based on the fact she'd gathered.

"I appreciate you're trying to know exactly what you're getting yourself into. That's what we said you should do the very first time we met. So, go ahead. You can ask me as many more questions as you wish tonight." She paused, her manicured nails playing with the stem of her glass. "You can even ask me about other sects or clans. There might be things you don't know about them either. But before you do, allow me to ask one of my own."

The Tremere had been paying close attention to the words Jillian was using. She'd come to know the young witch well enough by then, and she'd noticed that her body language was very different when she was being passionate and spontaneous and when she was being cautious, trying to impress or trying not to tell something. Jillian never outwardly lied. At least, she'd never lied to them so far. But sometimes, she was trying to hide certain things and it showed. When they'd talked about David, Jillian obviously knew more than what she'd told. But Rose didn't care. She'd rather learn about that particular topic from Aisha and David themselves, anyway.

Today, Jillian was speaking carefully again, choosing her words and looking more focused. It was that ability to switch between spontaneous and serious that Rose liked about the young witch. It made her think she had the potential to grow from the careless girl to a curious but cautious researcher. One she'd enjoy teaching and working with.

The Tremere looked at Jillian, genuine curiosity showing in her hazel eyes. "I told you I've been wondering about the 'decision' you made regarding my offer. But now you say you have to make a 'choice'. When someone uses the word 'choice' that implies they've received several offers. So logically I assume someone else offered to become your Mentor." There were not many options regarding who that person would be. "Am I correct?"

Nikolaus' eyes never left Jillian's face as she listened to Rose. The Regent always had a way with words, which was part of what drew him to her from the moment he met her. Jillian's expression said it all, he didn't even need to see her aura to know how she felt. She was thrilled listening to Rose, like he without a doubt would have been if placed in the same situation.

Jillian confirming she'd received another offer didn't come to him as a surprise. And just like Rose, he didn't have to think long to have a clear idea of who could have made it. "The cost really isn't high in regard to the opportunity to learn things few witches and wizards have even dreamed to have existed. And the first among them will be just how little your kind knows about ours." Nikolaus replied, agreeing with what she'd said.

He tilted his head quizzically at her next question. "This surprises you?" He asked. "You just reaffirmed to us that you believe knowledge is priceless. They received more than just knowledge; they received eternal life, something your kind has sacrificed far more than they have to receive." She might not be interested in that for now, but he was certain she could understand the appeal.

"I thought so, but I’m very happy to hear you say that, Jillian." Rose said with a small, but genuine smile, in regard to the young witch’s comment about being especially interested in research. If they were to work together, the Regent knew they had the capability to make discoveries that would be unheard of among both Kindred and Wizards.

The blonde could tell that Jillian was being very respectful as she talked to her and Nikolaus. That made the Regent hopeful. You only learn from those you respect, after all. And the young witch clearly was interested by their offer. The Regent could see her weighing the possibilities, gauging what would draw her interest the most.

"Wizards can live way longer than muggles do, indeed. Still they age. Kindred don’t. It’s not just immortality we’re talking about, but eternal youth." Which made Jillian’s reference to Nikolaus Flamel a very apt comparison. "Once one is embraced, time literally stops affecting them. This is one of the reasons why, as explained before, one cannot be embraced before they’re of age. That would be way too cruel." The Tremere picked a small mirror from her pocket. She briefly stared at her own reflection before passing in on to Jillian. "Think about the possibilities for someone who’s truly motivated by the quest of knowledge. They can keep researching without ever fearing their memory failing or the decreased of their mental and physical capabilities getting in the way. Besides, when wizards can live a couple hundred years at most, Kindred have been known to have existences exceeding a thousand years." At this point, it was like comparing a dog’s lifespan to a human’s.

Rose briefly looked down at the mirror again and seemed to be reminded of something. "Every Kindred Clan has its own strengths and weaknesses. Our Clan, the Tremere, is the one known to have the greatest affinity to magic in all its forms. That is because our founder used to be a Wizard himself and chose to become Kindred to pursue greater achievements. All Clans have their own Disciplines they specialize in, like manipulating shadows or transforming their bodies." The Regent eyed Jillian as she said that, wondering if she’d react to any of the Disciplines she’d mentioned.
"The Tremere Clan offers the Disciplines that are closer to magic as you know it, both in terms of abilities per se and in terms of variety of forms." She smiled again, softly. "Including Alchemy. But, of course, they’ve been developed over time by generations of Tremere and brought to a whole different level. Clan Tremere has been considered by other Kindred as rather strict because we place our quest of knowledge and research above almost anything else." Though Rose had yet to be told why it was a bad thing. "I guess you could say Tremere are the Ravenclaw among Kindred. And, as you’re already aware of, we tend to keep our knowledge and Disciplines to ourselves and to the ones who’ve proven worthy of our trust." Which clearly meant that Kindred from other clans, let alone other sects, would not be able to teach the young witch any of that. Also 'Alchemy' as known by the Tremere was different in essence from the art developed by Nikolas Flamel, yet the mechanics of the Path were close enough for Tremere to still call it that way. As a tribute, maybe? Nikolas Flamel certainly would have made a great Tremere had the opportunity arisen.

"If you take 'immortality' as in the 'impossibility to die permanently', I guess no one ever is truly immortal. And even if Kindred are technically already dead, there are still ways to end a Kindred’s existence." Means she was not going to elaborate here, for obvious reasons. "Though the older the Kindred, the harder it gets." She decided not to explain the 'generation' part to Jillian just now, she had more than enough food for thoughts with the rest. "As for ghouls," her eyes drifted to the twins again. "While they don’t age either, daylight, and particularly sunlight, does not affect or harm them the way it does Kindred. Because of that, they can learn to manage Disciplines unknown and out of reach from kine while still living among them. The price, as you’ve already guessed, is the blood bond. They need the blood from a Kindred to remain what they are and should the Kindred they’ve been drinking from disappear, they would lose their vampiric powers and their real age would instantly catch up with them. For very old ghouls, this would mean instant death."

The Tremere Regent made a small pause. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d spoken that much. But Jillian had an important decision to make and Rose was determined to inform her as much as she could, short of having her sign a blood contract.

It was working. Rose had her, hook, line, and sinker, even if the questions kept coming. But at her next question, Nikolaus finally couldn't hold back a light laugh. "Oh, ma petite," he chuckled, quickly regaining his composure. "Amateur, neonate mistake, Madamoiselle Penrose. Never judge a kindred's strength by his or her appearance." True, the Pyramid frowned upon embracing anyone who would be unfit to pass the grueling, arduous tests in the Chantries, including those who are underage by kine standards, but there was technically no rule among the Traditions against it. He once saw a Brujah Anarch in Los Angeles, who looked as if he were embraced at an age even younger than Jillian, lift an SUV over his head without breaking a sweat.

Nikolaus wanted Potence ever since.

He listened to her next question, and turned to Rose. He then turned back to Jillian, nodding. "Nobody ever said you had to drop her class, or anything like that. All we ask is that you keep secrets, something you seem to be quite good at." He leaned forward, just a bit. "You're doing it now. Even before I was embraced, I had a natural talent for reading others. If Miss Belmont and I truly wished to know, we could have probed your mind at any moment using a Discipline called Auspex. We chose not to. Vraiment, your dedication to keeping promises and secrets is admirable. I commend you for that."

Instead of answering Jillian's question with words, Rose held out her hand as if to shake hands with the young witch. "Test it for yourself." If Jillian was to take her hand, she would notice that despite being cold to the touch, Rose's skin felt similar to hers. And when Rose's fingers would gently squeeze hers, she would notice that her grip was firm and stronger than would be expected from a young woman of her built. Also it would be obvious to Jillian that she was being careful not to squeeze her hand too tight, in order not to hurt her. "Kindred will always be naturally stronger than Kine, no matter how strong they used to be before being embraced. How fit they were during their mortal life matters very little. Of course, Disciplines exist that can allow Kindred to become even stronger." Upon saying that last part, she briefly glanced at Nikolaus as if she knew exactly what he was thinking right then. She knew how badly he wished he had Potence, and she didn't need Auspex to know that was what he was thinking about right then. She just knew him that well.

"They taught you well and it seems you've taken their lessons at heart," the Tremere said, her expression softening a bit as her mind wandered bringing memories of Rose's own parents back to the suface. Upon hearing Mary's quote, a small smirk curled the Regent's lips. "Interesting choice of words. Personally, I believe you should always have only one master: Yourself. That's why your decisions should always be made based on what serves your best interests. But to answer your question, our sects are rivals and we're the representative of our respective sects in London. So, I guess, yes, that de facto makes us rivals. But we also recently renewed a truce between our sects. So if you decide to accept my offer, she'll have to accept and respect that without trying to come here and fight me over you."

She took a small sip of wyne, her expression serious yet relaxed as she looked back at Jillian. "As your Mentor, I'd never tell you to turn down an opportunity to learn new things on your own as long as it doesn't put you in danger and as long as you don't have to betray the trust we place in you to obtain it. Therefore, I have no problem with you attending Professor Kestrel's classes. Why shouldn't you? It would be counterproductive to prevent you from receiving a knowledge your classmates would get."