[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/KFpA42t.gif[/img]
[/center][i]Location: Night Order Estate
Interactions: Loukas Clermont[/i][hr]
News of Alexander Drake's charade reached Veronika's ears in the middle of last night's feast. Her suspicions about his art exhibit had been right, much to her displeasure. Veronika has never been a fan of Alexander's barbaric ways and antics. For this reason, clan members were not allowed to engage with Sanguine Moon's lackeys. They were ordered to avoid them at all costs. They only spelled bad news.

"Are we going to turn a blind eye? Again?" Lucas asked in a hushed tone, afraid he might cross a boundary. He has been Veronika's right-hand man for centuries, but he reminded himself not to get too comfortable. As close as they were, Veronika was still the leader of the clan.

"[color=6ecff6]If we intervene, there will only be more bloodshed.[/color]" Veronika replied curtly as she scanned through the pages of a book she was reading. Veronika had always been a person of few words, and Luca wished she'd be a little more generous with her thoughts. It was always hard to get a read. He'd often find Veronika in deep thought, but he never knew what plagued her mind. Everytime he dared to ask, he was only met with a small smile. 

"However.." he paused, unsure if he should continue. Did he really have the right to burden her with his foolish concerns? She was much older and wiser. She had been keeping the clan safe for more than a millenia. Perhaps he wasn't looking at the bigger picture.

"[color=6ecff6]I'd like it if you continued.[/color]" Veronika urged him with a small smile, now closing her book. It was that small smile he was so familiar with. Warm and gentle, yet it never reached her eyes.

"This isn't real peace." He said, referring to their luxurious lifestyle at the estate. They were living their best lives within these walls. Wearing expensive clothing, holding festivities, not having to hunt or fear for their lives. But a storm was brewing outside. 

"The war just happens to be outside our walls. And what about his victims? We can't simply call them collateral and move on. Everytime Alexander kills, we are thrown further away from our goals of co-existing with humanity."

Veronika looked at him for a moment before opening her book to resume her reading. "[color=6ecff6]If there's one thing I have learnt during my long years of life, it's that you can't save everybody. Even if vampires did not exist to wreak havoc, humans would still find a way to kill and wage wars against eachother,[/color]" Veronika replied, her eyes still glued to the pages. She understood Luca's frustrations as she also despised how Sanguine Moon did as they pleased. However, they must only watch for now and allow the hunters and Alexander's pets to chip away at eachother's numbers. That way, she would not have to sacrifice the blood of her own clan. If anyone hated the hunters more than she did, it was Alexander Drake. It was more beneficial to have him around, for now.

Luca sighed in defeat. Veronika was right. This was the unfortunate reality, and his idealism would only put the clan at risk. He knew Veronika hated violence more than anything, but she remained patient and focused on the grand scheme of things. So must he.

As he bowed his head and moved to take his leave, Veronika signalled for him to stop.

"[color=6ecff6]Prepare a car. We're going to Ember Grove.[/color]"