Them Trolling Tremere

Lyle heard it and he has a look full of questions. Left speechless too, even stopping in his tracks as he was removing his shoes as expected in Kamilah’s room. He came only dressed in pants and a long sleeved shirt, no jacket or vest.

Truth is he wasn’t exactly rich “himself”, he just used assets which he didn’t own. Which for all intents and purposes was the same. He could also mention he wasn’t technically a man anymore. But the jab was just too unexpected for him to bother correcting, detailing, or just talk back.

Instead he shook his head and accepted the seat Abioye installed for him. “I’ll take care of her later. I suppose it means she feels relaxed.” That was the only thing his brain could consider mentioning as his eyes followed Wilhelm carried her off. He wouldn’t mention last night’s test either, but he gathered the sass was to prove it. Instead he extended his hands accross the table to Kamilah.

“I cleaned them for you,” he smirked.

The silence felt like a victory, something Saaleha held in her eyes as she was escorted out of the room, and victory felt good.

Kamilah massaged her temples for a second or two as she tried to focus on Lyle, “She gets feisty sometimes, but I assure you she would not make this mistake out in public” 

Kamilah figured what happened inside private walls may be fine enough, but outside, reputation was on the line and things became so much sterner. Well, at least this was evidence that Lyle had not blood bound her sister behind her back if the girl was ready to take jabs at the man who held the key to her cage.

The older woman sighed before carefully taking Lyle’s hand into her own, turning them before inspecting the nails, “Did you now?” She asked almost amused. Sure, he cleaned them, but were they Kamilah brand clean?

Evidence even pointed that she had expected him to come here with shit hands considering the cleaning products she had set aside for this event…But this would do just fine for now and soon she got to work via placing his hand on a piece of dark purple, almost black velvet cloth.

“I’ll have to have a talk with her later,” truth is he was bothered by the jab, and wasn’t about to let that slide, even amongst trusted intimacy circles.

He offered no resistance and sat his hands down as asked, parting his fingers a little and letting her do as needed. Lyle’s hands were proportional to his height. There was a slight muscular difference between the right and left one, as a good right-handed would have. Years of holding weapons and physical activity gave him some muscles on both of them.

Lyle confirmed that even the lectures were accepted with just a slight “mh” approving sound. It was worth it. Or rather he had good use out of it.

Once Night was back to awake him and after taking the time to have something to drink, mixed with serious liquor, Lyle showed up at Kamilah’s room and let himself in, directly and without much warning. Back to his old habits it seemed. He did warn of his presence by the door.

“It’s me”

“Oh lordy loo, it’s a rich respectless white man come barging into our little abode.”

All eyes were quickly drawn from Lyle to Saaleha who was apparently feeling rather sassy today, that along with comfortable enough around Lyle to throw shade.

Her words weren’t made with malicious towards Lyle of course but they did jab, then again she felt that with evidence of past conversations that he did fit the bill and even hinted at helping tHE NAZI’S, she had room to poke and prod at him at least once a month.

Aboiye damn near dropped the cup he had been washing while the other brother just staring at a corner. Both lived the ghoul life so knew the dangers of making such a comment, they also knew of a kindreds pride to add on top of that.

One brother felt this was a death sentence only Saaleha could throw onto herself while the other thought that she was right, and this was a taaad funny…But this was also a death sentence if made too carelessly.

“Saaleha.”

Finally pulled out of her stupor, Kamilah sternly called out her sister’s name, a sister who now sipped away at her tea and held no apologetic look what so ever.

In seconds Saaleha was being lifted by Wilhelm, being physically escorted to the next room while the little ‘ghoul’ just kept eye contact with Lyle, soon hiding a little smug smirk behind her tea mug. She imagined punishment would come later from all sides but this was worth it and she fully felt that Lyle deserved this.

“I am so sorry about her, she’s not usually like this” Kamilah started.

“I don’t usually make rich white friends as Lyle” Saaleha commented in almost a mumble behind her mug as Wilhelm was trying to open the door between their rooms with one hand while the other kept Saaleha held up.

Truth is he wasn’t exactly rich “himself”, he just used assets which he didn’t own. Which for all intents and purposes was the same. He could also mention he wasn’t technically a man anymore. But the jab was just too unexpected for him to bother correcting, detailing, or just talk back.

Instead he shook his head and accepted the seat Abioye installed for him. “I’ll take care of her later. I suppose it means she feels relaxed.” That was the only thing his brain could consider mentioning as his eyes followed Wilhelm carried her off. He wouldn’t mention last night’s test either, but he gathered the sass was to prove it. Instead he extended his hands accross the table to Kamilah.

He had to glance with mischief when being called old and needing to go to bed early, and thought of a million ways to return the spike to her. Ask her to read him a bedtime story, to put him in his sheets, handle a late tantrum, help him wash his back in the shower prior to getting to bed, and help him in his PJs for the day… but no. He said none of it, even if his eyes didn’t hide he wanted to reply. “I’ll be good,” he kind of reassured, even if it sounded like a childish dare than an actual promise. But at least he said it.

Their first meeting being the first thing she mentioned made Lyle smile; to him it was a fond memory, to a certain point. It established something, and it had served a purpose. He listened to everything she had to say, to how he treated her and her sister (do not mention the mistletoe…), starting negative and critic and then his good actions. He’d expect those to be what she valued but instead she mentioned what he actually was. He looked at her as if she’d grown a second head all of the sudden, but then looked away and kept walking.

“I’ll take that as a “yes with reserves” then,” he more or less concluded more to himself than to start a discussion. He liked his shell and the comfort of being perceived as an obnoxious and ruthless ass. It meant people stayed put, attentive, afraid, and he could make sure things went in the direction he wanted. Without being vulnerable or even at risk of being understood.. and manipulated in return.

“I’m glad I got to meet you both.” He just affirmed with a faint but genuine smile and led her to her room, not intending on entering. He’d go off for the day and come back the next night as promised for the measuring session.

Her head nodded in approval, pleased with his answer even if it could use some more gusto, despite tone she would trust him to hold his word. She felt too much rested on this Holiday for both her and her sister.

Once Night was back to awake him and after taking the time to have something to drink, mixed with serious liquor, Lyle showed up at Kamilah’s room and let himself in, directly and without much warning. Back to his old habits it seemed. He did warn of his presence by the door.

He wasn’t going to be pushing it, even if he wanted to do it, but he didn’t run his mouth further and took his time to stand up after her. “I wouldn’t be so fun if I didn’t spew some nonsense every now and then, would I now?” He had to ask with a sly smile, and guided her back inside once she’d recovered her cloth piece she used to sit on.

“We’ll have a few more. Hope you won’t mind me being around during Eid.” He kind of invited himself, regardless, he wanted to be present, even if he didn’t really intend in participating. Sitting quietly and observing and feeling their energy was worth the rudeness. Well everything was worth being obnoxious, anyway, but truth was it was calculated.

He walked with hands in his pockets, casual as always, but he didn’t really look at Kamilah again. Probably lost in thoughts, as his body language reverted to a lack of humane gestures and expressions, he just didn’t put in the effort.

“.. Mh. Kamilah? Are you happy you met me?” he eventually had to ask out of the blue.

“I will tolerate the correct type of nonsense Mr. Kersten” Oh, he did it now. “But I shall not entertain the thought of shrewd nonsense. Now come, the night is not as young as it used to be and someone of your age should be getting his rest”

Politely, go fuck yourself.

“Only if you are on your best behavior. You shouldn’t let that mouth of yours ruin my family’s holiday, but I trust you already had this in mind.” She couldn’t stop him after all, all she could do is give him a small lecture and hope that he would act as what was expected of him when the time came.

The Toreador soon riffled through her purse, checking a few things off before pulling out her keycard ahead of time. She had to be prepared for a swift retreat if the Regent had not taken her blunt hints to heart.

She had expected his next words to be ones to further pick at her patience but instead, they stopped her in her tracks, causing her to look confused as her gaze traveled to his lips. Next best thing to eye contact in her book.

“What an odd question…” She wondered if he was feeling alright if he was being too hard on himself again. Drawing himself down. “Sometimes I really must wonder, especially given that during our first meeting you had taken a promise from me and forced me to soil it.”

Her words were stern but soon she sighed, her facade of being strong and stern herself fading.

“And yet you have given so much back all the same. You shielded me when my Haven was broken into, you took in my sister when our world came crashing around her for near to nothing and you continuously invite me away from a world I’m drowning in for a moment of peace.

But more than that, more then everything you’ve done with wealth or power it is the glimpses of you that I see that swayed my mind the most. Past your crude words and lewd actions I see in you someone that I am happy to have by my side.”

Their first meeting being the first thing she mentioned made Lyle smile; to him it was a fond memory, to a certain point. It established something, and it had served a purpose. He listened to everything she had to say, to how he treated her and her sister (do not mention the mistletoe...), starting negative and critic and then his good actions. He’d expect those to be what she valued but instead she mentioned what he actually was. He looked at her as if she’d grown a second head all of the sudden, but then looked away and kept walking.

“I’ll take that as a “yes with reserves” then,” he more or less concluded more to himself than to start a discussion. He liked his shell and the comfort of being perceived as an obnoxious and ruthless ass. It meant people stayed put, attentive, afraid, and he could make sure things went in the direction he wanted. Without being vulnerable or even at risk of being understood.. and manipulated in return.

Some part of him wanted to protest. He didn’t need help, he could dig himself deeper on his own thank-you-very-much. He had to swallow a chuckle at their pragmatism, that the two of them were aware he couldn’t be saved.

Instead he couldn’t resist the urge to be a jerk for a chance, the temptation was too much, the opportunity too brilliant. “Well I have been working to get into her pants, that would make me feel human again,” he had to laugh and taunt shamelessly. It was meant as a joke in poor taste, even if there was a hint of truth to it, and he denied it with a shake of the head. He was prepared to be hit for it and didn’t have any regrets.

“I value what you’re trying to do. Both of you. I’ll try not to abuse your kindness else I’d taint you, what would be something I wouldn’t forgive myself for.” He had to add honestly, with a from-within genuine smile. “I’ll be free tomorrow. I’ll walk you back to your room, it’s getting late.”

There her fingers went, searching deeper into her purse with purpose until her nails could be heard clicking against her phone case. Somewhere in her mind she had yet again forgotten that her kit was in her little sister’s room. Mayhaps this was fortune shinning on Lyle as she had been subconsciously going for the scissors she carried inside that kit.

Small, but very sharp.

“Lyle, why do you not save yourself now. You know well that I detest these little jokes of yours. Please reframe from spewing forth such nonsense in the future my dear”

Her tone was less than pleased but as he took on a more honest tone she sighed, allowing her annoyance to leave with the breath. What an annoying man, truly. She really did like him better when he was being more honest with himself. She figured he’d gain much from being mute.

“Tomorrow sounds perfect.” As she spoke she began to rise, taking a moment to carefully fold up her safety tarp for proper cleaning later. “It won’t take long, as all I need to do is outline your hand on a piece of cloth.” Simple stuff, she just needed his measurements.

“We’ll have a few more. Hope you won’t mind me being around during Eid.” He kind of invited himself, regardless, he wanted to be present, even if he didn’t really intend in participating. Sitting quietly and observing and feeling their energy was worth the rudeness. Well everything was worth being obnoxious, anyway, but truth was it was calculated.

He walked with hands in his pockets, casual as always, but he didn’t really look at Kamilah again. Probably lost in thoughts, as his body language reverted to a lack of humane gestures and expressions, he just didn’t put in the effort.

Lyle thought Kamilah’s need to adopt every other lost cause was an oddity, and it was fascinating.

“It’s a dangerous take on life that she has, and that you’re joining.” He had to act cold, distant even. “Isn’t it arrogant to believe salvation would come from a mortal? Or a young neonate even? I don’t need saving, nor do I need pity.” He grumps out looking straight ahead. He was lying, deep down he knew it, but he didn’t want to share the burden of his personal journey. Whatever it was.

“Kamilah. I’m an Elder in positions of power. My soul was claimed a long time ago, and I don’t fear for it, for it was already Saved. I do the rites when needed. My job is now to get my hands dirty so the ones I care for don’t need to taint their own. I’ve chosen this fate. It will only stop when I die by the sword. Understood?”

It was a mystery why a woman who did not desire children decided to adopt so many adult children. Yes, they were certainly cleaner but they were also more work.

At least she only had two at this very moment as for as kindred she looked after.

Kamilah simply chuckled, as if finding this cold act to be rather amusing.

“My dear, I do not believe Saaleha nor myself is truly foolish enough to think we can save you from whatever pit you’ve fallen in. We simply wish to help the man who’s given us so much back. Even if it is a nice little hobble dug out in the wall of that pit”

Kamilah now paused to let this set in and think over her words.

“We offer you a moment of peace, she can offer what it’s like to be mortal. A glimpse back into it all while I can offer you the mundane. I find both of these things to be vital to the mind, you may dirty your hands as you see fit but that does not mean that you shouldn’t come back to us and allow us to clean off those hands even if but for a night.”

As she spoke she began to search through her purse.

“Speaking of hands, please clear your schedule when you can so that I may take measurements. Luckily for you, it seems that I have left my kit back in the room, spared for the night”

Instead he couldn’t resist the urge to be a jerk for a chance, the temptation was too much, the opportunity too brilliant. “Well I have been working to get into her pants, that would make me feel human again,” he had to laugh and taunt shamelessly. It was meant as a joke in poor taste, even if there was a hint of truth to it, and he denied it with a shake of the head. He was prepared to be hit for it and didn’t have any regrets.

Kamilah “allowing” it to happen was just laughable, but Lyle just accepted it’s how she dealt with the lack of agency. If he had been a little more light hearted he would have made a joke about it. Instead the length of her stay would give him a better opportunity.

“You’re working hard at making yourself indispensable. A shame, I’ll have to be more direct and efficient to get you to want to stay by my side.” He tensed his fingers on her gloved ones briefly, and had that smug grin on his face a moment. “Your sister wants to save me. Can you believe that.”

“It’s a dangerous take on life that she has, and that you’re joining.” He had to act cold, distant even. “Isn’t it arrogant to believe salvation would come from a mortal? Or a young neonate even? I don’t need saving, nor do I need pity.” He grumps out looking straight ahead. He was lying, deep down he knew it, but he didn’t want to share the burden of his personal journey. Whatever it was.

“I made sure I had a reputation of dealing promptly and efficiently with people trying to be a bother; I’d say the aura of “don’t fuck with the Tremere Regent or he’ll slay you” tends to work quite well.” Casual shrug accompanied his words. He was content letting his hand in hers, showing just about no tension; despite it all he was quite relaxed.

“How long do you intend on staying? Even if just Eid, it’ll be good for her.” Lyle would never voice his own enjoyment of having the two sisters around, it tended to distract him in a way he enjoyed.

“A messy way to deal with things but if it will keep trouble off my sister I shall allow it” As if she had any say in how the Tremere dealt with anything and honestly she knew this. She just got used to speaking more confidently with Lyle.

Kamilah’s attention seemed to fall upon his hands, her gloved fingers tracing invisible little lines she saw in her head. She was glad to be here for this city seemed oh so much calmer than her own.

Especially up here.

“I was hoping to stay up to a week after Eid, unfortunately, I cannot stay for much longer as people need me back at home and I wish dearly to avoid a repeat of the last time I spent so long here” She didn’t want anything like what happened to the Anarch Chantry to happen again, plus she had adopted Childe to look after.

“You can make the assumption and it would be as correct as risk-free is never possible,” Lyle stated with a slight smug smile, the kind he has when discussing technicalities.

“I have absolutely no intentions of getting her involved in our society for those exact reasons. It’s a life I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I am only keeping her close to me so my trouble repelling aura can counter her trouble magnet one, at least until she regains autonomy and becomes more aware of her limits.” 

He reached slowly, and set a hand briefly on Kamilah’s arm, a way to communicate he consider it all extremely important.

“Do me a favor, and make sure she keeps that mug. It needs to remind her of her strength.”

“Run errands, mostly. Watch. Report.” Lyle shook his head. He had no desire to get Saaleha more deeply involved, as long as she remains unseen…

“I’m getting her to be a reliable secret agent. When I needed to confirm an hypothesis, I sent her to observe a minute, from afar, and report. I haven’t given her more information than absolutely necessary and have indulged in some of her curiosity as well as access to my accounts as payment.”

He straightened up on his seat, and looked back at Kamilah a brief instant with a smile, “Danger isn’t an option.”

“I have absolutely no intentions of getting her involved in our society for those exact reasons. It’s a life I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I am only keeping her close to me so my trouble repelling aura can counter her trouble magnet one, at least until she regains autonomy and becomes more aware of her limits.” 

He reached slowly, and set a hand briefly on Kamilah’s arm, a way to communicate he consider it all extremely important.

What she described sounded like validation of some sort. See the result of one’s handywork. It was strange, and he fundamentally couldn’t understand her motives. But he listened, trying to get it, and even turned to look at her on the bench of the roof of the Hotel he had claimed for his kin.

“I see.” Was all Lyle could seriously comment. There was nothing he could hang onto, to discuss, understand even. He looked back at the theater on the other side of the street. His natural chaos tried to get a word in, but he fought it.

“I’ll be keeping her a while longer then. She’s good company, has proven useful, and if that eases your burden then I can’t ask for more.”

“I’m getting her to be a reliable secret agent. When I needed to confirm an hypothesis, I sent her to observe a minute, from afar, and report. I haven’t given her more information than absolutely necessary and have indulged in some of her curiosity as well as access to my accounts as payment.”

Lyle kept quiet. Of course she’d sacrifice herself instead of staying safe. He wanted to tell her they were already dead, it was better to mourn, but she probably wouldn’t hear it. So it didn’t matter.

“Protecting humans doesn’t mean they get to be involved. Two very different things. Unless you need the validation?” From his point of view it was just pride. Helping and never being seen or recognized..

“.. It doesn’t matter, but the more you give the less you’ll have. Your sister seems to feel the same.”

“I see.” Was all Lyle could seriously comment. There was nothing he could hang onto, to discuss, understand even. He looked back at the theater on the other side of the street. His natural chaos tried to get a word in, but he fought it.

Lyle had to have a quiet laugh about her growing well. Yeah right. But her envy, her adopting needs, Lyle had to disapprove.

“You can’t save them all, and they’re going to hurt you. Don’t put yourself in such a vulnerable position, Kamilah.” He warned in all seriousness.

“Focus on mortals, make sure they get the best life they can. Ghouls, Us, we all live on borrowed time. Humans are more important.” He stated, certain of himself.

“Protecting humans doesn’t mean they get to be involved. Two very different things. Unless you need the validation?” From his point of view it was just pride. Helping and never being seen or recognized..

“I’m sorry,” he mentioned without meaning a hint of it. Truth was weird, he couldn’t really control the mindboggling roller coaster.

“That’s about all the information I have. I can make educated guesses, and extrapolate more or less accurately from my observations, but this territory is as new to me as it is to you. And to a certain extend, to her.” He had one idea, one sole, dirty, but maybe worth testing idea. He would need to mention it to Kamilah later, much later.

“You’ve grown as well,” he redirected instead.

“You can’t save them all, and they’re going to hurt you. Don’t put yourself in such a vulnerable position, Kamilah.” He warned in all seriousness.

“You’re her sister, you were predisposed to fail in such endeavors. But you succeeded in reassuring her and giving her love.” something he knew he was totally inapt at.

The whole voices she was hearing was another sign of divine intervention of some sort. But that sign was a sign he would keep quiet. “Back in Venice I crossed paths with an inquisitor with some sort of gifts that protected him against kindred influence. I would guess not all of them heed the calling to cull the devil.” But clearly, Lyle hasn’t had a chance to encounter vampire hunters who weren’t hunting. As much as ER doctors have little chance of meeting the large percentage of non-sick population of their city.

“She night not be hunting vampires, but her skills would make her good at it.” No wonder he wants to keep her handy.

“That’s about all the information I have. I can make educated guesses, and extrapolate more or less accurately from my observations, but this territory is as new to me as it is to you. And to a certain extend, to her.” He had one idea, one sole, dirty, but maybe worth testing idea. He would need to mention it to Kamilah later, much later.

“Been a long while since I’ve forgotten what food tastes like. Pretty sure any flavor I had doesn’t exist anymore either.” Potatoes are a fucking mystery.

Truth was he didn’t mind being the 24/7, or rather 12/7 trouble-repellant for Saaleha. Well he was technically a bigger trouble himself, but better one that she knew how to deal with. He felt like a moth at times, trying to test danger. He groaned in disgust at the image he created for himself. “I’m teaching her ways to stay safe and control her curiosity. Hopefully some of it made it through her thick skull.” Then again her stubbornness was something Lyle was encouraging.

“She’s an inquisitor, a vampire hunter,” he said with a half shrug. “She’s still mortal, but as far as I’m concerned, the divine has reached through her. Angels perhaps. The exact details I have no idea, it’s not exactly my area of study.” But at least she wasn’t a mage, which explained Leopold’s sudden loss of interest. That and Léopold had a terrible attention span.

The whole voices she was hearing was another sign of divine intervention of some sort. But that sign was a sign he would keep quiet. “Back in Venice I crossed paths with an inquisitor with some sort of gifts that protected him against kindred influence. I would guess not all of them heed the calling to cull the devil.” But clearly, Lyle hasn’t had a chance to encounter vampire hunters who weren’t hunting. As much as ER doctors have little chance of meeting the large percentage of non-sick population of their city.

Lyle had the decency to push himself a little away to give Kamilah enough room for her protective fabric.

“You underestimate the home made ice cream of this fine establishment.” He had to believe Saaleha was able to find comfort and feel better with quality food; after all he’d seen some of her orders. Not that he’d tell her sister about the strange diet.

“The price is uncertain for now as I’m not done with her. I’d rather let the boon run some interest over a few decades anyway..” He didn’t feel like he needed anything from Kamilah right that instant, he was too clouded to manage.

“She’s à trouble magnet but as long as she sticks to someone who’s in a powerful enough position to deter stupid ideas, she’ll be protected. If. If I need to keep her until her natural death, I will.” He could only whisper the last sentence.

Truth was he didn’t mind being the 24/7, or rather 12/7 trouble-repellant for Saaleha. Well he was technically a bigger trouble himself, but better one that she knew how to deal with. He felt like a moth at times, trying to test danger. He groaned in disgust at the image he created for himself. “I’m teaching her ways to stay safe and control her curiosity. Hopefully some of it made it through her thick skull.” Then again her stubbornness was something Lyle was encouraging.