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 Posted: Thu Feb 09, 2023 5:10 pm
 It had been at least four hundred years since Nonna had personally taken on the training of one of the younger vampires. Normally she was far too busy to bother and with their ranks thinned, their disciple napping and a whole disjointed family to keep together, she hadn't been inclined towards instructing anyone. However, times were changing. The old guard was rising, their family blossoming and Augustus had awoken. If their clan was going to grow stronger, skills needed to be passed down. It had been a suggestion from Augustus that she take on Vespara and Nonna had no quibbles with his choice. Her father was a fellow Antediluvian and Nonna was quite fond of the girl herself. There were far worse options stumbling around the mansion. In the little side room off from the kitchen, was Nonna’s office. It was just as warm and cozy as the kitchen, with the same kitschy ornaments, floral curtains, scattered recipe books, cushions and children’s drawings, all yellowed at the edges from age, with ‘love you, Nonna’ scribbled across them. There was nothing here of note, nothing diabolical, nothing that screamed death. Well, except for Nonna herself. But no, that was all kept in the catacombs. But Nonna still needed a quiet nook close to the kitchen and it was good enough. A place to store notes and information that wasn’t a closely guarded secret. It was here she was waiting, sitting behind her desk, transcribing some old knowledge across to a new parchment with a quill. As soon as Vespara arrived, they would begin the long road to learning the art of necromancy.
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Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2023 4:39 pm
That morning, Vespara had been informed that she was expected by Nonna later that afternoon, and to not be late. Thankfully, punctuality was important to the young neonate, and she would never dream of keeping any of her elders, much less the Antediluvian herself, waiting, especially on someone like her. So it was, upon the appropriate hour, the dark-haired, pale-furred Fae appeared at the stoop of Nonna's little office.
Vespara had not been told why, but it didn't really matter to her. The dual-colored eyed vampiress could only assume there was something needed to be done, and perhaps she'd be tasked to help the family in some way. Though she was no fledgling, Vespara was still young and new to her position -- and she was eager to prove herself to those higher up. It wasn't easy, after all, especially with such a large family... competition was fierce, especially among the younger kin. The dark-haired girl was no exception.
Though the door was open, she paused at the stoop and rapped her claws at it, not daring to enter without proper instruction to do so. "Buon pomeriggio, Nonna," she greeted, waiting to be allowed clearance to approach. She kept her head held high, curious and eager to know what Nonna might wish of someone like her... but deep down, was also rightfully wary. Well, whatever this was about, she'd find out soon enough.
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Posted: Tue Feb 21, 2023 11:48 pm
At first Nonna did nothing to acknowledge the new arrival, instead the tip of her quill flowed across the page, finishing the last few words. When she was satisfied, she signed her name at the bottom and then gently placed it all aside. Only then did she finally look up at her visitor. Vespara, daughter of an Antediluvian, a timeless beauty kept restrained by the stifling grasp of her family and an overprotective father. It was finally time for her to come into her own power. “Come in, bambolotta. Sit.” While normally she would have risen, a kiss on each cheek, asked if she was hungry, if she was well, today Nonna did none of it. She remained seated, laced her fingers together before and peered at Vespara over her glasses. When the other vampire found her place, only then did Nonna ask, “tell me, what do you know of our family’s greatest power?”
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Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2023 9:00 pm
Vespara took the seat as instructed, half-holding her breath as she watched. There was a heaviness in the air that was unusual, and the lack of kisses and questions was distinctly different, distinctly out of place.
Vespara wondered if she had done something to displease the other; but she would take any reprimand on the chin if she had to. It didn't occur to her that Nonna might be treating her more as an adult than the child she was so often regarded to be, despite her age and knowledge. She was no fledgling anymore.
Thankfully, Nonna didn't keep her waiting. And why should she? Vespara was more than a little aware that she was taking up the important vampires time. So she remained alert, and curious, if not perhaps a bit uncertain. The question Nonna asked surprised her, and she gave a small tilt of her head. She didn't answer right away, as there was a great deal of power in the family. "I would imagine you're referring to the family's power of Necromancy," she spoke, curiously, cautiously. "I know a little bit about what I've read in books, and I know a little from what I've heard my father speak of... but I haven't learned much," she finally admitted, ears flattening only slightly in disappointment.
Vespara had never been interested in being a paper pusher, like Vinny. She loved her sweet father but he was definitely more the outsider-face of the family. Instead, Vespara had ambition and desire to follow in Claudius' footsteps. She didn't know exactly what he did, but she knew he was powerful, and had wrangled wraiths. She wanted to know more about the darker secrets of the Clan and the soul trade. She wasn't squeamish, despite her petite and delicate stature. Her interests were as depraved, if more quietly, as her fathers.
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Posted: Wed Mar 15, 2023 1:42 am
As Vespara sought the answer to Nonna’s question, cautiously speaking the word necromancy, a term not idly bandied about by anyone in the mansion (except for Augustus), she gave the barest nod of encouragement. All of the highest ranking members knew the trade that had carried to Giovanni’s family so far but there was a time and place for the younger members to learn, and now Vespara’s time had come. A little ambition here would serve her very well. “You are correct. This mansion, our family, our legacy, all rests on the back of necromancy. Blood magic. Despised by many, feared by more. Not for the faint of heart or weak of mind.” Nonna gaze flickered searchingly across Vespara’s face, as if searching for a hint of either. “I have been tasked with your lessons and when I am done you will know power you never imagined.” Her tone was crisp and cold. If Vespara broke in the process, then so be it. Nonna would simply rebuild her, over and over again until it stuck. “Are you ready to learn?”
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Posted: Thu Mar 23, 2023 6:51 pm
Vespara listened with rapt attention at Nonna's every words. This conversation was about family business, and by the end of her speech, Vespara could think of little else. A thrill of eagerness ran through her, and her eyes gleamed bright with awe and desire. Not just for power, but for knowledge, and a dream to be a somebody in clan Giovanni. This was not just her family, but her heritage, and she would stop at nothing to make sure she served it well.
She wasn't afraid, though she knew well a healthy dose of fear would likely keep her alive. She wanted to know it all ... no matter the consequence, no matter the danger. "I am ready," she answered firmly, though there was a whisper of excitement laced within them. "There's nothing I've wanted more." And that was the truth of it. Perhaps it was her heritage, or her family name, or thee fact that she was simply born to two ambitious parents -- for no one could doubt either Claudius or Vinny's work-ethic. However, to learn from the best... to finally get to tap into the secrets. "I'm honored to be at your service," she spoke, dipping her head reverently at the antediluvian. She would serve her diligently, no matter how difficult a task, no matter what pain might come.
Vespara wanted power, and she would do whatever she had to get it.
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