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Maya and Richard are aware, through the old books, that there were once many ways to be a follower of Saulot. One way is explained in a book that has fallen into Maya's hands, and it's up to Richard to reclaim the Path of the Warrior...
Maya leads you into the library and closes the door. It's after closing, and the normal sounds have quieted...leaving just the two of you here, alone. Richard says playfully, "So...why did you bring me here?" He wraps his arms around your waist and nips at you shoudler. Maya chuckles, but her shoulders are tense. She leans back against you. "You've mastered the Auspex..the Heightened Senses, at any rate, love.." Richard says "Ahh...and you want to make my eyes roll into the back of my head. I see. Well, I wouldn't say I've mastered them but I'm much more in control than Rio was." Maya nods. "It's time for you to look at the book love..." She draws in a deep breath and turns to face you. "And I hope you can get more out of it than I did." Richard grows serious. "OK...I'll set the playing aside and take on the role as student. I'm not a good one you know. But I'll do my best." Maya leads you over to the couch and sits down. Once you're seated, she leans her head on your shoulder. "I was able to get a lot of it without using the Eye, so I don't think it'll be necessary..but.." Richard says "But?" Maya takes anoth4er deep breath. "But..ROnnie couldn't see it. Which leads me to believe it's in the blood." Richard mmms. "Are you sure my blood isn't too thin?" You say "No, I'm not sure at all. But..I know one thing that might help, some..." Richard says "What is that?" You say "Drink as much of me as you feel safe..." Richard looks at you. "This must be some book. No love, we know better. It's hard enough to stop once you start." He looks down at the book. "Why don't we save the desperate measures for later. If nothing else, you could read it to me." You say "Beloved..this is a book that I think will change the course of your existance." Richard says "That's quite a review. Makes me wonder why it didn't make the bestseller lists." Maya grins. "No one'd beleive it." Richard says "Which is what would make it a bestseller. People don't want to know the truth Maya, they want to live in their fantasy. Isn't that how our kind has survived all this time?" Maya nods slowly. She gets up, pulls out some keys, and unlocks a section of the bookcase, bringing out the book almost reverently. You've seen this look in her eyes before..any time she did something Clan-related and ritual. Richard watches you quietly. Silent, his breathing has stopped as well. Maya brings the book over to you. "Here..." Richard reaches his hand out and lays it flat, letting you sit the book in his palm. Maya places it there, carefully. "This book holds the teachings of a childe of Saulot's. Richard says "I hope I learn my lesson's well." Maya smiles warmly. "I think these lessons were made for you." She releases the book, and sauys softly, formally, "From Sire to Childe, from Generation to Generation, the Light never dims." Richard says "May the candle stay lit and the fire burn." Richard says "May the light never die." Maya grins and has a seat on the floor, clearly indicating the formal part is over..now it's all up to you. Richard sets the book down in his lap and runs his fingers over the cover. He seems to be examining it...very closely. It's old, but very very well preserved..as if some spell was set into the ragpaper pages and leather binding. You couldn't guess how old it is. Richard says "I feel like I'm about to open an old magickal tome. I find myself scared of what wards could be set upon it to keep me out." You say "There aren't any. If there were, I'd've been zapped..hell, Ronnie'd have been zapped." Richard says "I know that. Up here. *touches head* But you know how that is..." Richard lifts the cover and opens the book slowly. Nothing happens. Richard lets out a breath and begins turning through the pages. "No pictures." Maya shakes her head. "Look harder... Richard looks up to you, a curious expression on his face. He studies you, and the nods, choosing a page and then concentrating. Maya isn't watching you directly. Richard reads and his eyes begin to dart more quickly, erraticly, almost a waking REM. Finally he pulls his face back and grabs his head. "Ahhhhggg..." HE clenches his brow and pants." Maya rises and takes your hands, whispering "Calm, love..." Richard says "Pictures....blood everywhere...I thought this was the salubri...." You say "It is, love." She squeezes your hands. "I...found out..not all followed my Way..."" Richard eases his clench on his head and looks up at you. "And this is why you thought it would be better suited for me?" Maya shakes her head. "Not exactly. There's more to it, but you have to get past the first pages." She gnaws her lip. "Need me to hold on to you?" Richard shakes his head. "No, but I think I'd better start from the beginning." He closes the book slowly but doesn't take his hand from it. Maya nods and has a seat again, then lays back on the floor and closes her eyes. Aloud, she says "DO you want me to stay, or go?" Richard says "Stay. I don't think I am going to begin it now." Maya nods and scootches closer, layiong one hand on your foot. Richard says "So Julian. He's not human is he?" Maya blinks open her eyes. "No. He's not." Richard says "One of us? Or no." Maya shakes her head slowly. "He's...like Dave. Only he's really not happy with the way the locals thnk of things." Richard says "Like Dave. And what was Dave like?" You say "Furry on occasion. But he was a healer, too....remember how he finished what Dori and I started to save Faith?" Richard mms. He doesn't comment yes or no. "Furry." Is all he says for a moment. "So that's why you turned the sonics off so that he could play?" Maya shakes her head. "I never turned the sonics back on after the Rio mess." Richard says "I know you didn't. But I did." Richard says "When did Julian play?" You say "The third night after. You hadn't been back by." Richard nods. "Has he played since? He made it sound like he plays here often." You say "Not since you turned it back on. I'd hoped to have him play more..." Richard says "I'd prefer not to until I know him better. I'd rather not risk and outbreaks he mighht cause. The bouncers are well trained but... Besides, I don't know how Rio would react to him." You say "I want Rio to play with him...I want you to play with him." She sighs. "Although that's not really likely now.." Richard looks over at you. "Were you trying to hide it from me until we were good friends?" Maya shakes her head. "No...." Richard says "You know how I feel about them Maya, that's why the sonics are there. Amoung other reasons." You say "I know, love. I didn't become sure until after he played." Richard takes a deep breath and sighs. "I know I sound paranoid but..." He sucks his teeth, trying to decide how to phrase this, "I know how to deal with our kind. His...scare me. And Julian seems very suspicious to me right now. He won't even look me in the face." You say "You wear silver. ANd I don't think he realizes what you are." You say "I think..you worry him." Richard can't help but smile. "Silver goes well with my clothes." He forces himself to look firm. "And he should be worried about me. I know way too much and have too much influence to be taken lightly. Although I would prefer that people DID take me lightly." Maya grins. "Let things settle in a bit?" Richard just watches you a minute. He taps the book lightly. "Let's hold off on geting closer to them until I know a little more about my path." Maya nods. "Fair..but I do want to pursue the recording contract for him. He's got a baby coming, he could use the money." You say "And besides...from a purely practical point of view..I reaally want spomeone I know'll try to call me if the lupines get p in arms." Richard rubs his chin. "I'm hesitant to bring him to the house. Maybe we could get together after hours. We can bring him up to the recording studio." Maya nods. "The recording studio lacks the sonics, and he needs anyway. I don't want him at the house yet, though I've been to his once." Richard says "Maybe we can give him some earplugs or something to tone down the sonics. But if we bring him up after hours then we can turn the sonics off for awhile. The sonics keep our kind at bay as well. Makes conversations a little more private." Maya nods. "I know. I can live with that...and love?" Richard says "Yes Maya?" Maya kisses your hand. "THank you.." Richard says "Don't thank me yet Maya. I'm not as benevolent as you are. I'm doing this for my own reasons. I want him to feed his kids, yes. But there is always a price." Maya nods. she doesn't say anything, but kisses your fingers. Richard kisses yours in return. "So are you going to be Rio's manager as well?" You say "I'd like to..if he'll have me." Richard smiles. "I think he'd like to have you very much." You say "Yes, but does he want me to MANAGE him?" Maya looks impish. Richard smirks and his eyes twinkle. "Depends on how hands on you are." You say "That would be up to him, I think...." Richard sucks his teeth and hmms to himself, as if he has just been struck with an idea. You know this look. It isn't always good. You say "Uh..oh..." Richard chuckles but gives a look that says he isn't telling. Not yet. He sits up and sighs. "We have to do something about Rio..." You say "Like what, hon?" Richard shakes his head in concern. "It took me too long to get back when the fit hit the shan. If something goes wrong and I need control..." Maya listens, letting you complete your thought. Richard says "Well, every second counts." Maya nods. "What are you suggesting?" Richard phews and musters all of his will. "Maybe some kind of mental suggestion you can trigger." Richard says "And that I can trigger and that he can trigger." You say "Like a code word, implanted, that'll kick Rio out and you in?" Richard nods slowly, he seems slightly unnerved by the idea. You say "Is there any way you can think of I wouldn't have to do that?" Richard says "There might be a way but...to be honest maya I want a wway I can control WHEN I let Rio out as well." Maya nods slowly. "He scares you.." Richard says "Not so much anymore. I'm more scared of not knowing WHEN he'll be here." Maya nods. "If you do this..will he be let free?" Richard says "Yes. I'll let him out. I figure it's better him than some other part of me I wouldnt necessarily want to deal with." Maya chuckles softly and nods. "WHen should we do it?" Richard says "Not now. Soon though." Maya nods. "When you're ready..." She slips up on the couch next to you.
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