#Lasombra Ascendancy

[epicofloam]

Lasombra Ascendancy

The other end of the Hezariot civil war is the Lasombra Ascendancy.  Both it and the Confederacy largely divulge from the Hellbloods but due to the vastness of the territory these powers had control over, they are still deeply culturally different.  The revolution came after the vast difference of classism that began to persist between the Ascendancy and the Confederacy.  When the hierarchy of the Hellbloods began to engage in the rituals of the local indigenous cultures that lived in the towers at the spine of Hezariot, they grew alienated from the scattered villages throughout the continent and began to build their own separate foundation beneath the surface of the earth.  Many other now fallen empires left their mark within the nobility of the Lasombra Ascendancy, which gave it the edge over those it controlled.  The Lasombra Ascendancy is also known to be deeply engaged with vampirism and necromantic practices they have drawn out from psionic crystals and the flesh of the Delgeth, which is the Mythic that they claim as their patron.  They in fact are the only of the cultures to have ‘captured’ their Mythic, strung it between two of the great carved towers.  The Lasombra Ascendancy is also where many feminist and gender empowerment movements have taken root.  While arguable, the discovery of the Abyss and the beginning of the deciphering of the Voynich is more credited to them than the Confederacy.  In brief on culture, the Lasombra Ascendancy draws from a mixture of Gothic Romanian and Pueblo culture with the idea of an underground culture in mind.

[modern--nights]

Verily, the Lasombra stand as chieftains and seers, monarchs and sages, warriors and holy men. They weigh with care who merits the Embrace, yet show no mercy to those of their ilk who prove unworthy. Indeed, the sole menace to the dominion of clan Lasombra may well be clan Lasombra itself. Montano, eldest childe of Lasombra, now governs from the distant Castle of Shadows in Sicily, his rule extending as a shadow over his Sire's troubled repose, haunted by visions of darkness and the Abyss.

Deep-rooted in religious fervor, perchance due to their profound affinity with shadows, many among the Clan tread the Path of Heaven. This fervent piety kindles strife within the Clan, turning their gaze inward. In Iberia, the Shadow Reconquista rages—a clash between Christian and Muslim Cainites, dividing the Clan. Its echoes reverberate far beyond Iberia, ensnaring distant allies. Christian Lasombra within the Church rally resources for Christian forces, whilst Muslim brethren seek alliances, especially with the Assamites. They implore their Jewish kin to join their cause, for fear of dire reprisal should Christians seize power in Iberia.

Yet, the schism without mirrors the schism within. The Cainite Heresy festers within the Church, a heretical cult dominated by Lasombra priests and bishops. These apostates claim Cainites, marked by God, akin to angelic beings, with the Curse of Caine sanctifying them. Naturally, even non-Christian Lasombra decry this doctrine as blasphemy, striving to expunge such heresy wherever it takes root.

Moniker: Magisters Visage: The Clan of Shadows boasts a diverse assembly, with members hailing from Spanish, Italian, Jewish, North African, or Arabian lineages. Most Lasombra garb themselves in opulent attire, bedecked in silks from the Orient, sumptuous French brocades, or the resplendent fabrics of Arabia. Even those within the Church, though it eschews worldly riches, often don regal vestments befitting their high station.

Refuge and Quarry: Some affluent Lasombra opt to dwell amidst their familial estates, masking their true nature to retain control over their holdings. Here, they find ample sustenance amidst kin, servants, and retainers. Others, averse to the complications of concealment amongst throngs of mortals, establish solitary abodes of opulence, sacrificing convenience for secrecy and security. Some adherents of the Cainite Heresy feed upon their congregants, veiling their actions as sacred rites. Nonetheless, such practices demand utmost discretion, lest they incur the wrath of more orthodox Christian Lasombra.

The Embrace: Lasombra often select their progeny from among the affluent, powerful, or politically astute. Yet, Magisters may equally embrace those of humble origins, whose ambition and intellect shine bright. Birth alone cannot gauge one's mettle or capacity for leadership.

Clan Disciplines: Dominate, Obtenebration, Potence Weaknesses: Lasombra cast no reflection in reflective surfaces, rendering it arduous to conceal their supernatural essence from mortals. Moreover, they recoil from bright light, suffering additional harm from sunlight.

Organization: Within the Clan exists the Amici Noctis, the Friends of Night—an exclusive fraternity admitting only those who have proven their worth to the Clan. Presiding over the Courts of Blood, the Amici Noctis grants leave for Amaranth, serving as the final arbiter of its application. Unsanctioned Amaranth invites swift retribution, as decreed by the Amici Noctis. Predominant in central Europe, Montano staunchly opposes the Friends of Night, forbidding their presence in Sicily and the Castle of Shadows. In Iberia, the Shadow Reconquista impedes the Amici Noctis's authority, rendering it powerless to quell the discord.

Stereotypes: High Clans: A meaningless distinction, espoused by the equally pointless. Our ascendancy stems from merit, not lineage. Their classification as High or Low speaks volumes of their discernment. Low Clans: Let other High Clans spurn them. Only a fool rejects a valuable asset or indispensable ally. Assamites: More akin are we to the Children of Haqim than to most others. Let prejudice blind others. They are honorable and worthy allies. Ventrue: The Scions misconstrue power and position, to their detriment. Let them pursue lofty ambitions; it renders them pliable. Followers of Set: Let them strive to revive worship of their defunct deity. Time marches on, and those who resist progress are trampled beneath its stride. Tzimisce: Godless pagans, one and all. They spurned the chance to forsake their heathen ways. While we acknowledge their might, we cannot place our trust in them.

[ryttu3k]

Theoretically, what clans do you think the other bg3 companions would be?

I have definitely Thought About This! The setting I had in mind was during the Anarch Revolt, with the main squad being a new pack.

Thoughts behind Lasombra Astarion - still keeps his self-image issues regarding reflections, which sets him aside from his companions. That implication that Cazador set the Gur on him is pretty similar to the Lasombra tradition of deliberately grooming your future childe for the Embrace, and honestly, a combination of blood bonds and heavy use of Dominate fits Cazador's modus operandi as well. The ritual is either Abyss mysticism or, yeah, straight-out infernalism, like the whole Azaneali/Angellis Ater stuff. In this, it's not a tadpole that frees Astarion from his control, it's the Vaulderie.

For his fate afterwards, I'm not sure. I feel Ascending would parallel him diablerising Cazador and maybe his siblings, as in it may be a step too far. An Ascended/diablerist Astarion would probably stay with the Revolt as it became the Sabbat, one who doesn't might go Autarkis.

For the others, I'm not 100% locked in on these, but I'm thinking:

Shadowheart: Lasombra as well, focusing much more on Abyss Mysticism (whereas Cazador dabbled but largely stuck to the Lasombra social structure stuff). Keen user of Obtenebration. Has had a lot of her memories erased or altered via Dominate. Kinfolk. At first is extremely vehemently against joining the Camarilla and supports the nascent Sabbat, but leaving the Sharrans may work as her going Autarkis, working out her own route?

Lae'zel: I'm actually thinking Ventrue? Very strict social structure, all these complexes about power and weakness. If she ends up staying with the Revolt and joining the Sabbat, the whole Dark Knight thing the Ventrue antitribu have fits pretty well! OTOH, Orpheus kind of fits as a stand-in for a methuselah, so that would cause... issues. She might be Ventrue antitribu only in the sense that she's not Camarilla, and still has her personal loyalty to Orpheus.

Gale: Tragically, I think he's Tremere, and probably quite a low generation (maybe instead of Mystra, he's bound to his sire, Meerlinda?). Born Mage who was identified and groomed by the Tremere specifically for the Embrace. Leaving Mystra = defecting from the Pyramid and joining the Revolt, although he still feels deeply conflicted about it. He may end up joining the Camarilla but could be swayed otherwise, which I suspect he might do based on love of his friends and being convinced he doesn't need the power the Camarilla could offer him.

Wyll and Karlach: Brujah, but more specifically, Brujah from the same 'family', with Zariel being Mizora's and Karlach's sire, and Mizora being Wyll's sire. Wyll fits the idealistic Wanting To Fix Things Brujah mindset, and Karlach… enjoys punching things. I don't see either fitting with the Sabbat. Zariel and Mizora are both into infernalism and got their childer into it as well, although Karlach resents it and Wyll feels deeply conflicted. Another option is that they just have regular-ass sires, but Mizora and Zariel are Baali who convince them to go apostate - Karlach under a lot of duress, Wyll with good intentions (power to help people!) but recognising later that, oops, that may have caused issues.

Halsin: Two fun options! One, he's a Gangrel (who follows the Path of the Eightfold Wheel, natch). Also Autarkis, although I feel he'd want to keep having a Purpose and would probably end up with a group of other Autarkis and try to… keep an eye on them. Another interesting option, though, is that as well as Garou, there are also bear Fera! Will elaborate below.

Jaheira: Gangrel, straight-out. Would go Autarkis after the Revolt.

Minsc: Having met him yet, but I get a Brujah-with-out-of-clan-Animalism vibe. Maybe learned from Jaheira? Autarkis as well.

So for Halsin, there are werebears! They're called Gurahl.

"The werebears are Gaia's healers, tied to the Earth with a stronger bond than any other Fera. Many Garou believe the Gurahl are extinct, killed during the War of Rage when they would not give up the secret of restoring life to the dead. In truth, they entered a long sleep using a trick taught to them by the Mokolé, and have awoken in the modern world.

Slow to anger, Gurahl tend to be healers and protectors rather than warriors. Rare since the War of Rage, they were targeted for refusing to teach the Garou the secret of resurrecting the dead."

So, either Halsin is a Gurahl who ends up accidentally adopting a pack of Cainites, or he's a Gurahl kinfolk who's Embraced as a Gangrel. When he returns home, he's a bit, "Sooooo… hi. Vampire now," and they don't end up killing him because, what the hell, he's family and also still Halsin. "Yes, this is my son. Yes, he's a vampire. It's complicated."

Slight alternative - Halsin, Jaheira, and Minsc are all much older (older ancilla/ancilla with a werebear pal), with Jaheira and Minsc already being close, and maybe Halsin and Jaheira knowing each other beforehand. When they meet this newer, younger pack (the Origin characters), they go, "Okay, these kids are going to need guidance" and jump in to babysit mentor them. In that case, they may not consider themselves truly part of the Anarch Revolt, but be avowed Autarkis. Age-wise for the Origin characters, Astarion is ancilla but the whole two hundred years of slavery means he's still pretty inexperienced in the world, and the others are all neonates. Hell, Lae'zel, Wyll, and Karlach may even still be considered fledglings, or like, just released.

So tl;dr, Anarch pack who largely go Autarkis after the Revolt, with Astarion, Shadowheart, and Lae'zel torn between Autarkis and the Sabbat, and Gale being torn between Autarkis and the Camarilla. I want to say they all stay Autarkis, with the bonds they've developed? Still have some Anarch traits like a vinculum, but otherwise are avoiding both the violence of the Sabbat and the hierarchy of the Camarilla, a lot of which is why they joined the Revolt in the first place.

Thanks for the ask, this was so fun :D

[meatcrimes]

here’s Malpais’ deal:

wife of Cazador Szarr; purely a political marriage to secure alliances

they’re both playing this 5d chess game of manipulating the other to think they love them. they are very much not in love, they are frenemies with a common goal who also occasionally have sex

a vampire in her own right from the powerful Del Malpais family. Cazador is salty that she’s an actual vampire whose power rivals his and not a spawn he can control. and he has uh, plans for her lmao (he’s gonna diablerize her as part of the ascension ritual).

as far as she knows she’s going to continue as his consort after he ascends and they’re going to rule together. she suspects that isn’t how things will go but she has no idea she’s gonna get eaten

she has forgotten her birth name, but it was Gabriela Aguilar-Torres. name chosen at embrace was Guardiana Del Malpais, married name Cazadora Del Malpais. She refused to take the Szarr name, instead changing the first word of her title in order to keep her identity as a Del Malpais vampire and identify herself as the patriar’s wife

Her husband also is massively envious of the fact that her bloodline wasn’t a centuries long cycle of abuse. He hates that her sire treated her well and he hates that she treats her spawn well (i mean, “well” is a relative term, her spawn only fare marginally better than his)

for VTM records: 9th generation Lasombra, Humanity 4. Disciplines are Dominate (5), Obtenebration (2), Potence (1), Obfuscate (3)

for D&D records: Human Vampire Rogue, Lawful Evil, STR 14 DEX 10 CON 16 INT 14 WIS 12 CHA 8

[nightingaletrash]

🖊 Arnicia (SP?)

(it's AMicia ^^)

The thing about when I was designing Amicia is that I didn't really expect her to stick around too long. I don't usually make OCs ahead of playing a game, and when I do, they either don't make it to release or I ultimately find them kinda uninteresting because as a concept they're sound, but they lack any real character within the game itself.

Amicia already kinda resides in my head and she feels like a full character even though I haven't actually played the game yet. Even if I ultimately make a different character for VTMB2, I could easily keep Amicia for the ttrpg and still be pretty happy with that. And honestly I think it's because I had fun when developing her.

She's going to be more ruthless than Evie, given her own experiences growing up. She saw her father die protecting her and her mother, and grew up around some pretty cutthroat political schemes. She grew up being trained to never be a victim again; to be stronger, faster, and more cunning than her enemies. To fight and thrive no matter the circumstance, and its pretty much the key to her survival as a thinblood. Her goal is to stay alive no matter what. She's forgiving enough to some who get in her way, provided they stay out of it once she's dealt with them (such as Slugg) but if she suspects that someone is going to try to screw her over again or compromise her ability to survive, she won't risk it. And given the opportunity to ascend and gain more security, she'll take it.

She also has fun taking the piss out of French stereotypes by referring to herself as a 'hon hon woman' and threatening to stab people with a baguette. However if you pronounce her surname as 'Lacroy' she will snap you in half, so don't do that.

Speaking of which, while she was ways intended to be French, I actively avoided having her being related to Lacroix in anyway at first. It was only when doing through surnames and finally settling on de Lacroix did I just kinda... accept her fate. Its turned into an interesting contrast - Lacroix presumably entered unlife quite privileged, being a Ventrue and all, whereas Amicia starts off as the lowest of the low. Lacroix schemes his way into the most powerful seat of the Camarilla in LA, while Amicia fights and claws her way through Seattle just to survive, and she ultimately joins the (formerly) Sabbat counterpart of the Ventrue, the Lasombra. And she suffers the endless comparison to an ancestral relative that she's never even heard of. She didn't even know this man existed, but apparently everyone's deciding they've got her pegged as incompetent because of him? From the moment she finds out that he dropped the 'de' and pronounced their name as 'Lacroy' she's decided that she hates him and will eclipse him in every aspect, but the unfavourable comparisons further fuels the fire.

[theonyxpath]

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Claim a haven on the Gold Coast. Carve a place of this bustling metropolis for yourself.

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Discover the nightlife. Come visit the Succubus Club, the Blue Velvet, or Red Noº 5, if they’ll let you in. The guest list is pretty damn exclusive.

Introduce yourself to the Ventrue Prince. Get to know his vision. Buy into it. Serve it. Stay on his good side and your immortality is going to be just fine.

Just ignore the purges of Anarchs, Thin-Bloods, and fledglings when it grows inconvenient, yeah? Stay invested in the Camarilla and it’ll stay invested in you. Remember who’s got your back and who can take that backing away in the blink of an undead eye. 

Don’t go digging into business that doesn’t concern you. 

Don’t go wandering into territory you don’t know, because someone will claim your skull as a trophy.

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[ryttu3k]

OP, let me offer some propaganda for Astarion as Lasombra!

Fits perfectly with Astarion's issues regarding his missing reflection. Most Cainites have no reflection issues at all, but Lasombra do; this parallels with Astarion being the only vampire surrounded by others in the game, the only one who can't see himself in the mirror, and who's noticeably negatively affected by it.

There's an implication - tragically, barely touched upon - that Cazador might have arranged for the Gur to attack Astarion (when he's explaining after they meet Gandrel how Cazador 'saved' him after the Gur attacked him, the player can say how convenient it is that Cazador was there). This fits right in with Lasombra grooming their prospective childer by, well, progressively ruining their lives. I could definitely see Cazador, who has influence all over the city, arranging for the Gur attack and then swooping in as Astarion's saviour (when he has absolutely no other choice other than death). Very Lasombra.

Cazador plans to make use of an infernal rite. Infernalism isn't actually a hugely known thing amongst Tzimisce, unless you say Koldunism is infernalist, and frankly that's opening a whole can of worms (and also I disagree, it might have originated with Kupala but it makes use of spirits, not demons). Lasombra, however, do have a known history of infernalism via the Azaneali/Angellis Ater, so that use is entirely consistent.

Two things that could work for Old Clan Tzimisce, but could also work for Lasombra:

Cazador definitely uses and abuses Dominate (and probably blood bonds). Both clans have Dominate (or at least Old Clan Tzimisce do, not main-clan Tzimisce, thank you very much V5).

Narrative parallels - Astarion escapes Cazador's abuse and manipulation via an unforeseen method (the tadpole), although he remains understandably afraid until he's able to kill Cazador for good. Compare: young Lasombra and Tzimisce during the Anarch Revolt, breaking away from the abuse and manipulation of their sires via an unforeseen method (the Vaulderie) and ultimately hunting down a lot of their sires. You can even make an argument for Astarion Ascending vs just killing Cazador being a parallel for Astarion diablerising Cazador vs just killing him, too, with one action having a definite stain on his soul. Hell, even the in-game year for BG3 (1492 DR) matches almost perfectly with the tail end of the Anarch Revolt, which formally finished with the Convention of Thorns in 1493!

Old Clan Tzimisce does work pretty well, it's just the ritual, the grooming, and the reflection thing that makes me lean towards Lasombra rather than Tzimisce.

Old Clan Tzimisce

[ryttu3k]

That sounds cool as hell, both Malkav’s motivations and Beckett ending up a combination Gangrel-Malkavian. If Malkav is compartmentalising, I feel he’d end up with like... one third gen body (maybe fourth, jumping from seventh to third is pretty big) with Gangrel beast marks and the ability to learn Dementation, with two souls distinct stuffed inside.

Re: timelines, IIRC The Madness of Jerusalem takes place between Azhi Dahaka and Dreams & Nightmares, but there’s honestly not much between them, and nothing that would really preclude Dreams & Nightmares taking place before Madness of Jerusalem, including a reunion between Sascha and Ilias. Honestly, that may make Anatole’s ‘betrayal’ sting even more, given Beckett’s recently seen this like. Happy reunion, but here he is permanently changed because of something his lover did...

Do agree that actual diablerie would fail and Beckett would get deleted outright, the only one that seems to have actually managed it was Troile and the other three attempts at diablerising an Ante has failed spectacularly (all three planned it, Saulot ultimately beat Tremere to control of their shared body, and Cappadocius and [Lasombra] straight-out used it to Ascend to some other level; not including the Eldest here because they were never actually diablerised).

And yeah, if anyone can understand what it’s like having a super-powered being attached to your soul, it’s Sascha and Ilias. Also, Malkav and the Eldest were most likely both childer of Enoch, I can see Ilias still remembering enough of the Eldest to potentially have a bit of insight into their sibling Malkav’s mindset.

Sounds cool as hell!

Fortunately for us timelines are only real if we believe in them! ヽ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ

By which I mean that when I was determining how the timeline went, I decided it was 'beckett rescues okulos' -> 'gets kapaneus as a traveling companion' -> 'goes to LA for bloodlines with kapaneus' -> 'caine does his fun Don't Worry About It Aura to beckett at the prospect of an ancient driving a car' -> 'lets beckett get enrichment playing with the sarcophagus until caine gives him the good old Extreme Dread Aura about it so beckett won't open it himself' -> 'beckett warns the fledgling and then goes back to the hotel room he's sharing with kapaneus' -> 'they have more fun adventures during the rest of their year of traveling together'

i tend to ignore the 'canonical' mechanics of blood bonds, mostly because these are vampires and i tend to think that any set of lovers would get way more than three drinks of each other's blood within the timeframe for that, but also i just had the mental image of beckett getting a hit of kapaneus' blood, suddenly feeling a deep fondness for the concept of caine, and being like (⌐■_■) ( •_•)>⌐■-■ (⊙ˍ⊙) 'hey why do i suddenly feel really fond of this guy i don't even believe exists?'

(also because with my headcanons for beckett's various romances, he'd be blood-bonded to So Many other people just based on estimated amounts of Kisses Accepted and Administered. there's a theoretical beckett-centric viniculum where everyone he's bonded with is automatically at a 2 with each other, despite having no bonds of their own, just off the bond-concentration contact high)

caine spending a year watching beckett put himself in Situations and coming to the conclusion that this little guy really Deserves to be capable of even more nonsense and should have even More money to put where his mouth is and then permanently empowering him accordingly -> sascha and beckett [handshake. jpg] unwittingly much stronger than their alleged generation can account for

(although of course now that i've thought about it, an au of beckett ending up blood-bound to caine is an extreme mood. the direction is either very dark or very crack, though: on the one hand beckett probably has about a century worth of questions alone, on the other he unwittingly sipped so much of Caine's Own Blood he's discovering new novelty damnations all the time)

[continuation of this post]

You know what I can work with that timeline. We know Okulos is free as of BJD, and that appears to start just after Bloodlines, so it really does check out!

'hey why do i suddenly feel really fond of this guy i don't even believe exists?'

"So Beckett, what made you redact your long-standing theory about the Book of Nod as an allegorical account of vampires emerging throughout history as humanity develops from hunter-gatherers to agriculture?"

"Really good dick."

(also because with my headcanons for beckett's various romances, he'd be blood-bonded to So Many other people just based on estimated amounts of Kisses Accepted and Administered. there's a theoretical beckett-centric viniculum where everyone he's bonded with is automatically at a 2 with each other, despite having no bonds of their own, just off the bond-concentration contact high)

Oh my god he's the centre of his very own Greater Seattle Polycule. This one spans the entire planet and several millennia. They meet someone new and Sascha's just like. "This is Ilias, my boyfriend. And this is Beckett, everyone's boyfriend." Ilias and Fatima immediately become fond of each other upon meeting despite never having laid eyes on each other just via Ilias -> Sascha -> Beckett <- Lucita <- Fatima. Goddamn spectacular.

Also Lucita helped attack Dracula's castle once, imagine them meeting post-Price of Hospitality and just staring daggers at each other and Dracula's like, "...so how's my Bride?" and Lucita's just, "Excuse me I had dibs first" and Beckett's in the background wearing just his sunglasses with the diary posed strategically like, "Hey now, there's more than enough of me to go around ;D" and everyone in the vicinity up to and including Caine is just like. Yes. We know.

[badass-at-fandoming]

Image IDs under the cut!

[[Image ID 1, a transcript of Beckett speaking with Monty Coven,

[SILENCE]

Beckett: Has anyone ever told you, Mr. Coven, you have a very disturbing grin?

Coven: I'm still growing used to it myself.

Beckett: Never mind. So you summoned me to save me from Queen Anne. Why? We've never met before and I'm no ally of the Sabbat.

Coven: Not now, perhaps. But there is every chance your Lasombra friend may ascend to become Regent. Perhaps she'll be grateful if I save your life?

Beckett: Lucita as Regent? Galbraith might object.

Coven: Galbraith. [laughs] You see, Beckett, I like you. And by extension that means I like Lucita. I don't plan to be a friend to the next Regent, whoever he or she or it is. London is a great city, once the greatest in the world. It should not bow to the rule of someone who lives an ocean away.

Beckett: You want an independent city. That's becoming a trend.]]

[[Image ID 2, transcript of Beckett and Coven's conversation, a little later,

Beckett: The Camarilla...will negotiate peace...with an Assamite antritribu less than 30 years dead?

Coven: I've advantages making up for my relative youth, Mr. Beckett. For one, I know where a lot of bodies are buried. Literally as well as figuratively. Now come, let us collect your ghoul from down below and get you on your way. I have a private plane waiting to take you to France. [shudders] Unless ya don't belives me and wants to take ya chances with da mamby crab.

[PAUSE]

Beckett: I assume you mean Queen Anne. I'll err on the side of caution for the moment. I'll allow your people to conduct me out of the city. I was planning on leaving in a night or so anyway. But don't imagine for a minute that this means I trust you. To be brutally honest, I think you're as balmy as any Malkavian.

Coven: [laughter] Very droll. Give me six months. When I'm in charge, you come back and visit. As long as I rule here, you'll always have a place in London.

[RECORDING ENDS]]]

[[Image ID, 3 Beckett's Diary in his own hand,

Libertatia, East Africa

My encounter with Coven was six months ago, and while he hasn't conquered London yet, it's clear he's only biding his time. Last night, I received a package from him through intermediaries. It held a flash drive with a half dozen video files taken from spy cameras. While rather fuzzy, the recordings seem to depict Queen Anne committing diablerie against a succession of bound Kindred. The package also contains information about her putative victims verifying their identities and dates they went missing, as well as details about the means by which she conceals the black marks of diablerie from discovery. Finally, there was one last document in the package, one marked for my personal files as "a memento of earlier times." It is a handwritten note on Victorian-era stationery. It raises more questions than it answers, some of which fill me with dread.]]

[[Image ID 4, a handwritten note on previously folded paper. There is a reddish stain on the bottom right. It's unclear what the stain is*

My dearest Bindusara,

In my dotage, I find I am quick to anger and slow to forgive. But your spirited words in defense of the Gangrel do not fall on deaf ears. Moreover, I am cognizant of the debt I owe you for the aid and advice you have given me over the centuries. If this is truly what you desire in recompense, then I shall grant the boon you request.

Henceforth, my enmity with the Gangrel Beckett is at an end. I swear now that as long as I claim praxis over this great city, Beckett shall always have a place in London.

Your brother in blood,

Mithras]]

*According to the Victorian Trilogy, Mithras only lets his most trusted friends even glimpse him feeding, and he rarely gives anyone his blood. Giving Beckett something that touched his blood, even if it's a centuries old stain, is a high compliment. It could also be Bindusara's blood, in which case Mithras might be warning Beckett that Bindusara means him harm.

Do you think Beckett boned either Mithras or Roger de Camden?

This question makes me giggle. @rayshell22livejournalcom, you must know better than to put a hard limit on who and who hasn't Beckett fucked.

Hahahaha, but I guess if you want, like, "have they boinked in World of Darkness lore," the answer is no. BUT as always, World of Darkness "canon" is just random authors spit-blowing dandelion seeds into readers' faces. Bit gross. Bit everywhere. Bit making me sneeze. Bit beautiful and full of yearning.

Since February, I've been very, very slowly reading Beckett's Diary. By "slowly," I mean I zoomed through half of it and came to a careening halt when our tabletop group started our Gehenna arc. I was too sad to devour anything but romance novels and haven't wandered back yet. I did manage to read the "London Calling" chapter, and Monty Coven aka Mithras is extremely chummy with Cuthbert.

Previous to...whenever the fuck this takes place, Beckett and Mithras met at least once. In the Victorian Trilogy, Beckett is part of the Avengers the group that saves Mithras from the Tremere and reminds him of his responsibilities so he won't go off honeymooning with Keminitiri. Previous to that, we don't know if they ever met. Mithras is off traveling when Beckett shanks a dude in London and gets slapped with a Blood Hunt.

"As long as I rule here, you'll always have a place in London" says Britain's Bottom Bitch since 71 CE.

He sends Beckett a memento. Said memento:

Which plugs the plot hole of how Beckett's Blood Hunt is rescinded. Now, one can interpret all this as Mithras finds Beckett an amusing chess piece, but yanno, maybe Mithras genuinely likes Beckett and would bone for fun (and maybe a little profit).

Due to the magic of Ctrl + F, I possess foreknowledge that Roger de Camden pops up in "Death Has Many Faces," but I have yet to read that. Roger doesn't appear in the Victorian Trilogy, iirc. On the surface of things, Roger is a pleasant fellow who likes books, and Beckett is a (reasonably) pleasant fellow how likes books, so I think only Kindred politics would prevent them from getting along. Or if Roger is connected to that fucking Rosselini scumbag who has Emma's Wraith. IDK.

I must return to work now, but I promise to type out image IDs later. Thank you for the question, Rayshell! It's fun to speculate! :D

[sayuriiz]

‘ oh, ’ es lo único que dice. supone desde la perspectiva de binna siempre hubo un desbalance entonces. al no decirle si nombre real, podia interpretarlo como que no la veía más que una simple humana. nada que hacerle. si conversación algo le está dejando claro es que tiene un duelo por realizar todavía, no están en la misma página. aún. y que para estarlo debía de sacrificar esa humanidad a la que tanto se aferra con uñas y dientes ¿valía la pena? tampoco parecía ser tenía otra opción más que asumir aquello que ahora era, con lo bueno, lo malo, lo peor. en ese punto tal vez también encontraria lo mejor ¿existiría sino punto medio? ‘ de momento, es la idea. es estúpido ahora que lo digo en voz alta, pero... ’ ¿estaría atada a azumi allí en tokyo hasta que sus padres murieran? se pregunta si, en su intento de protegerlos, no está también ofendiendo su legado. criaron una hija destinada a grandeza, poderosa, orgullosa, segura de sí, de espíritu indomable. tal vez los está decepcionando con actitud frente a nueva no-vida… es conflicto interno el que la lleva a fruncir el ceño. ni siquiera se defiende cuando le echa en cara el montón de excusas. ‘ estoy cansada de ser débil, sentir cualquiera puede pisotearme ’ confiesa en un murmullo. cabeza le duele de tanto pensar. no era algo que resolvería aquí y ahora, era proceso que le tomaría trabajo antes de decidir nada. y aquella realización en parte le alegra. sentir tiene poder de decisión.

de cualquier modo, vira los ojos ante sugerencia. sabe debe beber para subsistir, para vivir. aquello era como decirle a alguien que dejase de tener sed solo porque así le decían. no era tan sencillo, escapaba de propia voluntad. aunque sabe, por más que le pese en la conciencia y la moral, binna tiene razón en que sino comenzaba a obligarse acabaría estúpidamente encontrando un pésimo final para sí misma por capricho. ya estaba siendo una total neurotica en ese viaje. se guarda dilemas, aún así, no tiene tiempo de nada cuando le lanza aquello tan escandaloso. ‘ ew, no ¡no! ’ negativa es absoluta, descolocada por mera idea de estar bajo su supervisión, que le protegiese, ser una damisela en apuros, eww ¡que estaba siendo sarcástica! ‘ no, no. eso sería humillante ’ deja muy en claro. y es en eso que consigue descifrar un poco de maraña incomprensible sobre pretensiones con quien está hablando. ‘ quiero ser tu igual ’ asegura, alzando su mentón. tiene su orgullo, poco tolera ser mirada por encima del hombro. pronto atención recae en historia que le comparte, viendose sorprendida ¿o no? de algún modo, aquello cuadra con cada cosa que ella le ha expresado. se pregunta entonces si todo habría sido distinto de haber tenido opción. si en lugar de imposición, hubiera podido escoger ascender a tan llamado ser superior con convicción en lugar de aborrecer situación. si sire le proponía de igual a igual, ¿habría dicho que sí? está divagando en propio pensar, por lo que vuelve a concentrarse en la lasombra: ‘ te quejas de mí, pero no soy la única mentirosa entre las dos para conseguir lo que queremos ’ se mete con ella, pues la ha estado crucificando por acciones deshonestas cuando también supo jugar así sus cartas en su momento. ‘ ¿y qué hiciste con tu... novia una vez conseguiste lo que deseabas? ’ ahora le intriga el saber cómo la historia acabó. y allí iba de nuevo, llamándole mentirosa. pestañea en cuanto la tiene demasiado cerca tan de repente, sin lugar de escapatoria al quedar atrapada entre su anatomía y mesa. si sangre corriese por venas, tal vez estaría ruborizada. es sayuri quien piensa maldita desgraciada cuando delicado toque en mejilla le recuerda golpe anterior, dolor y sangre que persistian pese a que nebulosa mental y brote de honestidad le tuvieron lo suficiente distraída de ello. la está poniendo a prueba. lo sabe cuando se limpia por encajes blancos del vestido. mandíbula se tensa ligeramente y afirma agarre sobre el borde de madera, pero mirada permanece imbatible en ojos ajenos. no actuarámiserablemente como aquella noche en tormenta, donde se dejó en evidencia de manera tan patética. ‘ mentirosa ’ acusa sin quitarle la atención de encima para resistir la urgencia de limpiarse prendas. aquello era un juego, uno que no quería perder. era más que una llorona, no quiere la mire con pena ni como si fuera debil. se arma de valor y pasa dorso de zurda por mejilla como si nada y se limpia por negra tela (si no lo veía no era un problema, a fin de cuentas). entonces mueve su rostro hacia delante, acercándose con descaro como si el gesto no tuviese impacto para nada ¡pero vaya si se está esforzando! ‘ nadie me conoce mejor que tú ahora, te expuse mi alma hoy ’ le concede. era la verdad, solo un poco exagerada la expresión. ‘ y te sigo gustando, eso me gusta ’ un tantito burlona es que asume por sus dichos. sayuri entonces humedece sus labios y traga saliva, divisando ajenos por un instante… no, ¿por qué ha pensado en ello? no podía ser ¿siente deseo por binna? … ¿era eso parte de conflicto que no sabía explicarse, que no comprendía? ¿o solo la excusa perfecta para ocupar su mente lejos de sangre? como sea. lo usaría, ignorarla sangre al ocupar mente en ella. ' así que cállate y deséame aún más ' susurra, luego eliminando toda distancia que permanecía entre ambas, capturando sus labios en un tosco beso. @binnas

' lo es. ' asegura y no miente, ¿por qué cambiárselo? ella no es la misma que antes pero su esencia sigue intacta y le gusta su nombre. ' solo utilizo un alias con humanos. ' no tiene interés ninguno en ellos, lo suficiente como para mentirles acerca de su identidad y esconderse detrás de un personaje que no existe. reserva el honor de conocerla en serio solo para quienes son como ella, inmortales, seres elevados. se remueve en su silla cuando historia se pone interesante, ¿cuanto le estuvo ocultando realmente, joder? con cada palabra nueva y honesta que agrega, más y más se sorprende. ' ¿entonces planeas esconderte y esperar el tiempo suficiente hasta que todos te olviden? ¿solo entonces serás libre finalmente? ' palabras son duras, no se percata en ello ya que binna no tuvo que padecer lo mismo, en su caso todo fue mucho más rápido aunque muy traumático. de estar en zapatos contrarios, tomaría sus cosas y se marcharía bien lejos. es lo que comenzó a hacer cuando corea del sur dejó de llenarle por completo, demasiados recuerdos y fantasmeas. le dejó temporalmente a cargo su negocio a mano derecha y comenzó a recorrer el mundo hasta que se asentó en tokio, habiéndole encantado la ciudad y las noches allí. ' tienes miedo de estar por tu cuenta. ' es todo lo que escucha, excusas y más excusas, aunque en cierto sentido lo comprende, ¿le hubiesen sido más fáciles las cosas de tener a alguien en quien apoyarse? por supuesto, pero nunca hubiese logrado fortalecerse tanto como ahora. al quedarse sola en el mundo no existieron más caminos, puertas se cerraron, su no-vida la empujo directo a cruda realidad sin darle opción a elegir y no tuvo tiempo de pensar siquiera. cambio radical sucedió rápido y el temor a salir de su zona de confort no existió. ' ahora gozas de un gran poder, no eres débil e indefensa, puedes hacer lo que te plazca. ' también lo entendió luego, cuando comenzó a entrenar sus disciplinas y comenzó a utilizarlas para su beneficio. cuando tomó las riendas de sus negocios e hizo mucho dinero, volviendo a su vida de lujos, esta vez solventada solo por su propio esfuerzo.  binna realmente cree en la superioridad de los vástagos por encima de los mortales, tan simples, tan básicos, y si sayuri realmente es una lasombra por dentro (incluso si aún no se da cuenta) lo comprenderá también. aceptarse no es lo más sencillo al principio pero, una vez que lo haces, nada vuelve a ser lo mismo. sed de poder que experimenta actualmente se lo demuestra, siempre quiso divertirse y pasarla bien sin preocupaciones, y nada más. al ser abrazada, eso cambió, se dio cuenta de su valor, de sus capacidades y actualmente ambiciones son grandísimas, siendo el puesto en el trono la más alocada, casi imposible, pero quien sabe, tiene lo necesario y todo puede pasar.

' no interesa, tienes que lograrlo de igual forma, obligarte, pasarla mal hasta que te acostumbres. ¿quieres morir? ¿es lo que buscas? ' lanza sin anestesia, alzándose de la silla en donde estaba sentada cuando lo dice y acercándose unos pasos mientras la observa a los ojos, queriendo transmitirle que no es un juego, que realmente podría suceder. si no se alimenta correctamente energías bajan y la bestia comienza a controlarte por completo. para nada bueno, está poniéndose en peligro gratuitamente. ' yo no soy niñera de nadie. ' aclara cortante, que se sienta dichosa que aún le dirige la palabra luego de todo lo que hizo, que el golpe que le brindó logró desahogar su enojo —en parte— y que puede hablarle sincera, sin pasar la línea de lo cruel para lastimarla por rencor y venganza. así es binna, todo lo toma personal y lo magnifica, exagerada y dramática, así vive la vida, nada es tranquilo y sencillo a su lado. ' ¿eso quieres de mí? ¿que te cuide y sea tu caballero de armadura plateada? ' alza ambas cejas incrédula, nunca cuidó de nadie, para ser sincera, ni siquiera de una mascota y definitivamente no de su sire, gyeong es muy fuerte y autosuficiente. sonríe cuando escucha su pregunta, aparentemente curiosa, si tan solo supiera… ' mi sire era mi novia en aquel tiempo, la seduje y manipulé para convencerla de convertirme. ' confiesa sin pudor alguno, ¿en algún momento estuvo arrepentida? no, ni siquiera cuando le rompió el corazón a la pobre. convertirse fue de las mejores decisiones que tomó, su mente y su mundo se expandieron y comenzó a tener un propósito, algo que importaba más allá de su propio ego y que antes faltaba. ' siempre supe que este era mi destino. ' cuando gyeong se lo contó en la intimidad su mente no lo dudó ni un segundo, siendo oportunidad perfecta para alcanzar ideales de perfección y para librarse de sus padres, convirtiéndose en alguien cien por ciento libre, incluso si no lo necesitó después, muerte trágica de ambos marcando su camino. rueda los ojos cuando la escucha, insatisfecha, ¿es que siempre tiene que escuchar lo mismo? ya ni siquiera le sorprende, sabe que está rota y que por eso nadie la entiende. que atrae pero repele al mismo tiempo. al final, es mejor así, quedarse aislada y sola, sin permitir que nadie entre de verdad. ' porque eres una desgraciada. ' camina unos pasos más, parándose enfrente a su acompañante, viéndola con detenimiento, analizándola. ' y lograste tu objetivo, lograste engañarme y que me gustaras. ' estira el brazo para limpiar con el pulgar sangre de su mejilla, suavemente, acercándose aún más para reducir su espacio personal. ¿una conquista? viéndola de cerca, es preciosa, ¿una aliada? pensando en todo lo que hizo, es una maldita loca. ambas opciones igual de peligrosas. ' pero ya no sé quien eres en verdad, lo cual es una pena, tú y yo podríamos habernos divertido muchísimo. ' limpia gotas rojas de sus dedos en prendas ajenas, apropósito, sabiendo que le causa asco más empujándola a aguantarlo, si hay algo real en su interior, algún tipo de fortaleza y conexión con los de su especie, entonces le demostrará que no es una niña llorona, que puede con eso. @sayuriiz

[binnas]

' ¿hay algo que no te convierta en una llorica que vomita? ' pregunta rodando los ojos, tampoco es de las que salen en citas, ya no, al menos, pero lo haría de ser necesario, manteniéndose fuerte y estoica. a diferencia de la otra, no hay demasiado que la desestabilice, siempre dura, siempre decidida, se pregunta si algún día contraria logrará estar a su nivel, convertirse de acero por dentro y darlo todo por un objetivo más grande. ' hey, ' se queja, sube la mano y le da un golpe seco en la mejilla derecha con la misma, sin brusquedad o violencia, lo que pretende es hacerle reaccionar, aunque carencia de suavidad y cariño están presentes, como tiene por costumbre. ' te comportas como una adolescente y no lo eres. ' si no se lo toma en serio es imposible que la ayude de verdad, no hace magia ni milagros, y el plan de acabar con su sire definitivamente necesita a una sayuri poderosa, de lo contrario se verá en la obligación de hacer el trabajo sola, con menos probabilidades de éxito. ' impresionar a los antiguos es importante para un lasombra, significa que llegado el momento de ascender te tendrán en cuenta, un paso más cerca del trono, sayuri. ' mientes habla fuego aparece en sus ojos, chispa que nace de su propio deseo y hambre de poder, revelándole su verdad a la otra sin siquiera darse cuenta. no es sorpresa, de todas formas, binna poco oculta sus deseos de que la nobleza oscura sea quien domine todas las tierras, reyes y señores de tokyo, es lo que merecen. toma entonces mano ajena con la suya y entrelaza los dedos, brindándole así más apoyo, haciéndole saber que está ahí. luego tira de la misma y comienza a moverse por el parque. ' primero lo primero: identificar a tu presa. ' hay miles de humanos allí disfrutando de las actividades, exponiéndose sin pensar en las consecuencias. a ella no le causan ninguna pena, ninguna culpa, los ve como seres inferiores, como alimento y nada más. ' ¿cual te gusta? ' se inclina en su oído, cerca, y susurra la pregunta con tono seductor. @sayuriiz

@binnas — "ew" es lo primero que escupe. como si un escalofrío le recorriera todo el cuerpo, se estremece. "ew, no. vuelve a decir eso y voy a vomitar, en serio" exagera en reacción, admite, pero lo de las citas no era lo suyo, nunca lo fue. sonaba demasiado cringe. "era un… intento de broma. como sea" más bajo es que aclara por si acaso, sin quitarle de encima mientras le ve acercarse. ha de morderse el labio, matando cualquier protesta que pudiese escapársele intuitivamente y, en cambio, se las arregla para sonreír luego más segura. ya no desea escapar más, debe enfrentarlo. "no, no es genial" ¿para qué mentir si la otra ya le conoce, habiéndola visto en situaciones más que patéticas? "pero lo haremos, descubriré lo grandioso que es, lo estúpida que fui todo este tiempo, bla, bla, bla. por mí, no porque me interese impresionar a un antiguo" asegura, pero pronto agrega: "aunque, bueno, es una competencia. me gusta ganar" vira los ojos con cierta gracia. que va, aquello sí era un factor más que importante, un beneficio que a la larga serviría en su dichosa carrera como miembro de lasombra. solo no quiere sea única razón en mente. entonces ofrece su mano a contraria, como esperando la guíe. "tú dirás, hoy vas de suerte: te haré caso todo el rato" suelta con un tin de burla para consigo misma. si no se ofende con mera idea, es porque admite es más eficiente aprender que ir por su cuenta y cometer mil errores de los que se arrepentiría al segundo.

[sayuriiz]

¿ego? ja, no le dice que en todo caso propia actitud como humana era bastante similar a la de binna. si ahora ego está oculto es cuestión de supervivencia. una vez que binna parece demasiado ocupada con su propia mierda, por un segundo la japonesa está a punto de dar por zanjados sus asuntos, con los puentes quemados y todo. en lugar de eso, se encuentra de frente con pregunta repentina y esa mirada pesada sobre ella, atenta. era casi gracioso que quisiera su honestidad cuando eso es particularmente algo que no puede ofrecer. no si quiere vivir en ese mundo. y sayuri sabe que su respuesta no la complacerá en absoluto… ¿qué ha hecho para justificar su honestidad, de todos modos? ¿será detrás de actitud ajena había algo más que solo acariciar propio ego al hacerse la buena guía, en verdad binna le había ofrecido su genuina confianza? no sabe si se puede confiar en ella ¿puede arriesgarse? la mira con recelo por el rabillo del ojo. parecía tan interesada en escuchar cualquier cosa que pudiera decir que era difícil no intentarlo al menos. ' eso es difícil de hacer cuando hasta mi nombre es falso ' murmura de mala gana. ' ya te dije, quería gustarte, que me aceptaras. es verdad eso. también que ver sangre me enferma ' una oportunidad. eso era todo lo que estaba dispuesta a darle. mientras apenas se sienta en el borde de la mesa, toma aire y lo suelta por la nariz. ' ...la verdad es que todavía no me he hecho a la idea de ser un vampiro, ¿vale? ' pronuncia manteniendo un volumen bajo como si fuera lo más difícil que había tenido que admitir nunca. está segura de que está poniendo un clavo en su propio ataúd. cruza los brazos sobre el pecho, mirando al frente y no realmente a quien tiene a un lado. era más fácil así. ' una parte de mí lo odia. entre querer abrazarlo por completo y rechazarlo todo. porque lo primero es lo que mi sire quiere que haga. que yo sea la perfecta lasombra todopoderosa. y odio a mi sire, más porque no puedo no hacer lo que ella desea ' le resulta una especie de catarsis decirlo en voz alta. nunca lo había verbalizado fuera de sus arrebatos delante de la mujer en cuestión. ' ah, me mataría de oírme ahora ' fugaz torcida sonrisa aparece en labios. ' como sea. apesta que lo tenia todo y más por delante en mi vida, ahora no tengo nada. ni siquiera puedo verme en un estúpido espejo ' escupe una confesión tras otra. ' estaba en la cima, pero ahora estoy en el fondo del barril, sin ningún poder, en conflicto con lo que soy, sin nadie que de verdad esté de mi parte, con una sentencia de muerte colgando de mi cuello por parte de ikelos, tú, mi sire, todos en caso de cometer un error ' chasquea lengua, frustración desbordando mientras más habla ¡que nunca pidió por nada de eso! y es que podía intentarlo y resurgir, ascender en filas de los lasombra, era más que capaz si se lo proponía. volvía al problema original: no quiere, le genera conflicto, le frustra, le molesta. hace un ademán en el aire, pausando por fin para dejar que palabras cayeran con propio peso, finalmente posando orbes sobre pelinegra. ya casi siente ganas de vomitar por estar diciendo todo ello frente a ella, por mostrarse mínimamente vulnerable una vez más. se siente íntimo, no le gusta. solo puede reírse a secas. culparía de repentino brote de honestidad al golpe en la cabeza. ' de algún modo siempre acabo viéndome patética en frente tuyo, lo que gano por querer impresionarte ' no espera empatía, tampoco su simpatía. menos quiere su lástima. hasta casi preferiría un comentario sobre lo decepcionante que era de la otra. la verdad es que no sabe qué espera ni porqué la ha usado para desahogarse, una parte de sí grita por tener alguien en quien contar en clan entre tanto caos, pero lo duda. su costado escéptico jura ha cavado propia tumba. ' ¿suficiente sincericidio? ' sayuri lo único que hace es dejar la pelota en campo contrario. @binnas

enseguida que proporciona el golpe vuelve a su eje, o al menos eso intenta. una parte de sí logra desahogarse mientras que otra continúa resentida por haber creído en sayuri. ¿como pudo ser tan tonta? sentimiento de humillación no desaparece del todo pero al menos pudo vengarse, suficiente para limpiar su honor y hacerse respetar. ' casi, así que no tientes a tu suerte. ' lejos de hablarle mejor, sigue en su mismo humor de antes, cortante, distante y amenazador. cuando la mira no se conmueve ni se sensibiliza con las consecuencias que provocó, se mantiene totalmente intransigente. ¿pedirle perdón? jamás, no se siente arrepentida y verdaderamente no soporta que siga desafiándola de esa manera, como si estuviera pidiendo a gritos que la aplastara con su obtenebración. mantiene la calma incluso cuando niega todo y siente deseos de volver a pegarle en la cabeza, quizás así se acomoden sus ideas y deje de querer engañarla con sus cuentos y puras mentiras. ' por supuesto que lo hiciste y actuaste muy bien pero ahora puedo verte por quien en verdad eres, un fraude. ' no es una verdadera lasombra para empezar, no es como ella, no tiene los ideales tatuados a fuegos y pone como prioridad a su clan. ahora que lo piensa, no sabe quién es en general. ' ¿gustarme? ' suelta una risa incrédula, no le compra nada, piensa que es todo parte de su red de mentiras, solo quiere justificarse. ' te abrí las puertas y te di mi confianza y lo desperdiciaste. ' ¿siquiera sabe la suerte que tuvo? no es algo que haga a menudo, de hecho, casi nunca. mantiene a todos lejos, no les permite conocerle y con yuri fue distinto, enseguida sintió una conexión pero nada fue cierto, se burló de ella todo este tiempo. escucha sus palabras y la mira furiosa. en el fondo sabe que tiene razón y por eso le molesta tanto. aún así, no lo admitiría en voz alta, no le daría el gusto. aquí existe una única culpable y no permitirá que manipule la situación. en el momento que le indica que lo olvide, se gira y toma asiento en la silla, apartada. pretende dejarlo ir, incluso comienza a revolver su cartera para distraerse pero enseguida dice: ' ¿te molesta que sea egoísta? ¿que tenga un gran ego? pues bien, habla sobre ti entonces, di algo real, ¿eres capaz siquiera? ' alza ambas cejas, retándola desde el otro extremo mientras concentración volvió a ponerse en ella. ' te estoy escuchando. ' puntualiza, tanto que dice que no le interesa lo que tenga para decir, ahora mismo le entrega su entera atención. @sayuriiz