#caroline maxwell

“Miss Caroline? You're experienced in affairs of the heart, right?” Tammy's tentative words stopped the Toreador in her tracks from finishing sketching the design for a client's new dress. Across the room from her sat her young Ventrue charge, who's sire was out of town on… business. This wasn't the first time she looked after the young woman, but it was the first time she seemed to be seeking advice from her. Caroline glanced up to look at Tammy, faced with a nervous expression from the girl who looked smaller and smaller in her suit with every passing moment.

Caroline set down her sketchbook and stood, striding over to where Tammy sat and took her place next to the young Ventrue. “Why of course darling, how could I not be? Whatever happens to be on your mind?” She watched as the young Ventrue pulled at her sleeves and adjusted her tie, sitting up straighter before plainly asking her questions.

“How… how do you tell if it's just a crush or something more? And…” Tammy paused, her eyes shifting away to look directly at her hands that she held tightly in her lap. “How am I supposed to tell if this is real…” Her voice wavered for a moment, breaking into little more than a whisper. “Or just the blood bond?”

Wrapping one arm around the awkward young fledgling, she gave Tammy a reassuring grin. “The fact that you're even questioning that, dear… means those feelings are certainly true.” Chuckling softly, Caroline used her free hand to tilt her companion’s head up to look at her. “It's Zacharias, isn't it? You've been fawning over him since I first met you, after all. I can't say I'm surprised.”

Sharp lavender fingernails grip into Caroline's arm as Tammy stares up at her with a firm, solemn expression. “You can't tell him, Caroline. You have to promise not to tell. Please.” Desperation resounds through her quivering voice, betraying the look in her eyes and her straight-lipped face.