Adrian stood outside on the a patio by his pool and stared down upon the bustling city of Enigma in the morning light. It had been a long time since he could properly stand outside and watch the sunrise. Many times before this, he had been distracted by his work as Elder and Clan Head and thus could not watch the striking beauty of gold and orange light bounce off the glass of the buildings. It was something that he just loved to see, the beauty of the world which the Gods had given back to them. Though he himself would never admit it to a human, he did find the occasional human 'beautiful' in their own form. Their bodies so fragile and weak yet can have features so strikingly different from others that they stand out, quite like a flake of gold amongst dust. His 'Prizes' were prime examples of this. They were women and men who he had found so strikingly beautiful or handsome that he decided to keep them, though they were never kept for long as he often grew bored of their sight. The young Elder took a long drag from his cigarette, letting the taste and smell swirl about before releasing it and the cigarette itself over the edge of the patio. His night had been a long one and he was glad it was finally over.
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[i]A few hours earlier...[/i]

[b]"You have grown bold, Master LeRouse, in your new position of power as Elder. I warn this, not as an enemy but an ally, that such expansionist views on your own Clan will bring nothing but ruin for yourself."[/b] said an older man who, despite his small stature and lightly colored skin, gave off an air of authority that nobody else in the room could even match. He was the Patriarch, a vampire who had lived far longer than all others in the room and had seen the fall of humans first hand. Time had worn on the vampire who, in his prime, was once head of the Clan Pelium, largest of them all before its fall centuries before Adrian's time. Patriarch Pelium sat in a small chair of oak and looked upon the collection of Clan heads before him with something no pureblood had ever seen before, compassion. 

The Patriarch, in a time long past, had learned to care for his vampire brethren, even those who weren't in his Clan, and had come to like Adrian for he was quite like a child still learning his ways. It was why the old vampire had called him and four other clan heads to his quarters in the North End. [color=FF1A1A][b]"Yes, Lord Patriarch, I understand. My goals are not to upset the other Clans but to secure ground for my own which has grown so much in the past decade. Were I to leave our lands as is, Clan LeRouse would possess nowhere near enough Prey for us to feed our young purebloods, the ten which had been born in the decade since. I plead with the other Heads this moment before you and offer this vow in your presence as proof of my commitment to it. Clan Heads, oh Masters Berion and Wallace and Madames Velirouse and Calista, I have taken all the land I wish for my people and from this day forward shall do all I can to forward our power, as the Vampires we are, in Enigma as an Elder. You have my word on my honor before our mighty Patriarch."[/b][/color] Adrian answered in response to the old vampire's warning. He was not entirely lying, though it was a veiled lie he told either way. 

A murmur of agreement arose from the gathered Heads as Adrian bowed to them and the Patriarch to show his respect. They knew how much a commitment made before the Patriarch was worth for he was one who was revered above all and to swear on a promise in his presence was similar to doing as such should the Gods come before you. Such a move secured Adrian the support f the four before him who's collective strength would do him well. All others scattered leaving Adrian and the Patriarch alone in the small room. [b]"A cruel man you are, youngling, to lie to them like that. You know that none of them would believe you lying as you told this promise before me. And yet, you used this to your advantage knowing that a normal promise would likely cause you far more danger if it were issued in the presence of a normal congregation. You've learned well the art of decit and manipulation Child, use it well and you may come to lead the community like I have."[/b] the Patriarch said with a smile on his face. Adrian looked at the man, not daring to smirk as he would at such a compliment, and poised himself to say his part.

[color=FF1A1A][b]"Perhaps I will rule over them like you do Patriarch, though I see now why you put up with their complaints. They are like cattle who simply need a hand to lead them. It is wisdom to know which hand to use, a stern or soft one. Quite like dealing with children Patriarch. Goad them along too hard and they'll stumble and cry and throw a tantrum. Lead them along too softyly and they stray from the path or end up too weak to support themselves. Truly you are the greatest of our kind sir."[/b][/color] Adrian said before turning and leaving the room. He had finished his business here and had attained the support from the Greater Heads that he needed to continue on with little worry. Though, it was not the Greaters he worried about, it was the Lessers. Those fools who's Clans were far to small to be considered anything but weak but sought positions of power high above their abilities. Their target was often Adrian who, in his young age and position as Elder, had become a perfect target to make a name for a small Clan. Thus, the young vampire ended his night with his Prizes after having returned to his penthouse. He had a busy day tomorrow as well.
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[b]"Master LeRouse, the car is waiting for you down below."[/b] a voice called from behind, shaking Adrian from his expansive memory. He turned around to see the head of his guards, Tygus, at the patio doorway in his usual attire of black leather and cotton. Tygus was an extraordinary specimen, a vampire who stood at just under six feet and five inches in height and weighing nearly three hundred pounds of muscle. Long had Tygus been with the LeRouse family, having pledge his life to them long ago after being saved from the exile of another Clan. The giant of a vampire offered Adrian a long white jacket as he approached. [b]"You have a busy day today Master, are you sure you shouldn't be resting instead?"[/b] Tygus said as they walked to the door of the penthouse, worrying about Adrian as always.

[color=FF1A1A][b]"No need to worry dear Tygus, I will rest once we get back and that will be a promise."[/b][/color] Adrian said as he stepped out the door. He had quite the night and now he was in for quite the day as well.