Masks

But then a small ray of hope shines through as someone she knows comes up to her. “Hey...um...you look alone, so I thought I would come talk to you. I’m Arianna,” she says as she holds out her hand to Pyre.

“It’s nice to meet you,” Pyre says as she swirls her cane.

“Oh! I’m sorry,” she says as she takes Pyre’s hand and shakes it. “I didn’t realize you couldn’t see at all,” she says with an apologetic smile.

Pyre listens to her voice and knows that she’s probably heard it before. “Arianna, where are you from?”

“Somewhere in Texas originally. My sire wanted me to go out on my own so here I am,” she chuckles.

“Oh..you just sounded like someone I know.”

“Nope,” she says as someone passes by. “But I must be going to another meeting. Two of the Ventrues are trying to get power and they won’t listen to my argument. Hypocrites,” she says and walks away.

She sighs softly as she is left alone again. ‘I could go talk to the ghouls, but the last time I tried that Julius thought I was terrorizing his. I only wanted to know the time,’ she thinks with a chuckle. ‘Not my fault that there was slime on it.’

But the unfamiliar footsteps come near again and stop right in front of her. “Lady Pyre?” He asks with a calm and enchanting voice.

“That would be me. What do you need?”

“To introduce myself to you. I’m Balthazar,” he says as he simply stands there.

“Ah, then take a seat. How was California for you? I think that is what I have heard your name when people are...um...right,” she says with a chuckle and a smile.

“Yes, with the anarchs out there. I didn’t get to see the nightlife because of trying to make peace. Some of it worked though...” He trails off as another person comes towards them.

Guarded footsteps that try to be light yet are heavy. Alexander Waters of Clan Tremere come to the group of two. A very nice person once you got to know him. And weren’t of his clan...one group of people he didn’t seem to trust. “Good evening, Pyre,” he says and perhaps had a smile on his face. “And you are sir?”

“Balthazar of Clan Nosferatu,” he says regally with a smirk.

“Ah,” is all he says before turning back to Pyre. “My dear, please see me before the end of the night.” She nods a yes and he walks over to the Prince, Willhem, and his inner council.

“What are you going to talk to him about?” Her new arrival asks as she raises a corner of her mouth as oen would an eyebrow.

“It’s really about nothing,” she says dismissably. “I think,” a chuckle added.

He chuckles softly. “Well, I will go talk to other people so you may go talk to Mr. Waters.” He gets up and walks away as Pyre goes off to find Mr. Waters.

*~*~*~*

After a while, Pyre and Balthazar make their way down to the sewers. “So, this is home,” as they walk to a general meeting area. “It’s not much but it keeps the sun out.”

He nods and pulls out a chair for her to sit and then sits opposite of her. “It seems fine Pyre,” he says as he looks directly at her. “How are you blind if you don’t mind me asking?”

She drops her mask without a second thought. “This way,” she says proudly.

“Amazing,” he says as he takes her hands gently. “Do you wish to see how I am different?” She nods a yes and he drops his mask. She feels his cheek bones have become a straight line. A ghoul knocks on the door, coming into the room.