helbling | Beau Entry

>In her haven - well, Treads' haven, really, given he'd given the damn thing to her - Beau paced, mind racing.

What the hell did she do now?

She was kind of pissed at, of all people, Amadeus for getting the killing blow in on that bastard Amarth. She'd wanted it before.

She sure as shit wanted it now. She was willing to bet he was behind the arson attacks in the city that had cost them the armoury, and now he'd gone and fucking outed her, and from the sounds of things, she wasn't the only one.

Taking a breath, she pushed that from her mind. Not relevant. As easy as it would be to get caught up in anger from that, not relevant. Not right now.

If the pathetic, arrogant, worthless piece of shit ever looked like he might walk the earth again, she'd fucking diablorise him herself just to make sure his soul was well and truely gone, but unless that happened, irrelevent.

Right, what were her options here?

Deny it outright? Had potential. Also had the potential to string her up and make her look stupid and out her worse than the damn video ever could, given she happened to know Casper could tell when someone was lying.

She could try and hide behind some clever word play...say that information was 'out of date' or something, which hopefully people would interpret to mean whatever relationship they had terminated when his true identity was revealed, when actually she was referring to the fact that they has moved on from just 'fucking' but she hated wedding rings, but she was also painfully aware that verbal gymnastics was not her forte but other people were vastly better at it than she.

Possible, she decided, depending on the level of interest people were showing. If she could get away with a few off the cuff remarks because they were all too focused on defending themselves to really notice her being calm in a corner somewhere, it would be what she'd go with. Certainly, from his tone, Casper didn't seem to give two shits, which was about the best possible outcome there. Worse would be if he'd flipped his shit. The worst would be if he'd decided to try and use this to get something out of Treads.

She didn't really want to consider what sort of deception she'd have to launch to get entry into another court as the only survivor of this one after Treads wiped them all out...

She shook her head.

Right, worst case scenario time - if she was outright asked, in a way she couldn't scuttle away from, or sidestep, in front of people who she knew she couldn't slide a lie past, what to do?

Refusing to comment and admitting it had pretty much the same outcome with regards to the truth - people would know she was - but refusing to comment made her look like an idiot. Like an unsubtle idiot, unaware of her own stupidity.

There was a time and place to look stupider than she was and stand back to see who would try to take advantage in a hamfisted manner, before taking great pleasure in taking them down when they least expected it. When this was information that could potentially bring a gang of morally outraged Silverfangs down on her head really wasn't it. Right now, if anything, she needed to look stronger than she actually was.

So, a casual confirmation would be best. Not in such a way that suggested the fact itself was no big deal - because, she hated to say it, given her dislike of attention and socialising, it kind of was - but that suggested whatever their reaction was to the information, it was no big deal, because frankly, they couldn't do anything.

Which would likely put Casper's back up; he so loathed anyone being more powerful than he and flaunting it, but frankly, flaunting was what she needed to do. Which mean she'd need someone else to remain calm and not react. Someone notable.

Calen, she decided. Sheriff. Loud. Ventrue. He'd do. She could inform him under the label of 'you're my primogen' and see if he'd be willing to do it under that banner. If not, she might have to start laying boons on the table. God, she hoped nothing higher than a trivial.

She'd offer to be calm and back him up about his in return, but frankly, if Calen had any demons in the closet more serious than an alcohol problem, she'd be surprised.

She pulled out her phone and typed a text 'Would you mind meeting up for a chat?'

A second of reflection made her realise that coming from the court scourge, that message might sound a little threatening, so she hastily added 'Location your choice - as my primogen, something I probably ought to tell you.'

There.

Now what? So, the information is out there, and has been confirmed. Regardless of making sure Casper and Calen were on her side, there was still a large probability someone in the court would try to profit from this.

The first thing she could probably expect is that they's approach her for payment not to go to the werewolves. Or to ask for payment from Treads for the same thing.

Well, if they opportunity arose, she'd explain in small words how it wouldn't do any good to try to sell the information to werewolves. Most wouldn't believe them, and the only ones who'd be interested in that sort of information would be honour bound to kill any vampire they came in contact with.

Still wouldn't stop some from trying though. She'd just have to keep an eye out. Take note of any that tried regardless and maybe start her own leech kill count.

Well, she'd been trying to think of what to get him for Christmas...Vampire heads - or ash, depending on who she killed - would at least amuse. A stocking filler, perhaps.

But the information still posed a risk to Treads, however small it maybe.

She groaned. That meant she had to tell him.

Chances he'd just decide to invade the Chantry, kill everyone and destroy the tape?

It was a number significantly different to zero, she mentally admitted. Damnit! Fine, she wouldn't mind Erich popping his clogs - there was something wrong with him, and she didn't mind admitting he gave her the creeps - but Andrea was a sweet kid, and she really really didn't want to go through the hassle of settling in a new prince, especially given there was no guarantee they'd be anywhere near as easy to get along with as Casper.

She'd have to stress that Casper didn't give two shits. That Calen didn't give two shits. That there would be no official response at all, and frankly a handful of neonates thinking some werewolf they'd all met the once was schtupping a court officer was No Big Deal.

Which meant she'd have to tell him after she spoke to Calen.

She winced. But before she took Andrea to Leominster. Afterall...there was no point in tramping through Garou territory and risking herself if Treads was just going to kill her.

She scrubbed one hand over her forehead before heading for the door, slinging her rucksack over one shoulder. Why was it life got so much more complicated once you were dead?