Did Somebody Say Vampires?

Generally speaking, Natasha Lockwood would normally secure an appointment at work and during office hours if she wanted a meeting with somebody. However, today was not a normal day, nor was it a normal appointment with a normal client.

This evening's appointment was with a well-connected vampire regarding the MCSS, and from her understanding, Pietro Popov was not exactly like the other vampires she had become accustomed to on the island. He was, to her knowledge, fairly old school as things went, something she hadn't come across in a very long while.

Ringing the bell to the Popov mansion, Natasha, dressed as per usual in one of her very elegant and stylish woman's designer dark navy blue suit from the 50's complete with leather kid gloves, waited patiently to be let in.


@Kada

I added a picture because her style is truly old school elegant.

Natasha had noticed the plants and flowers while she was waiting. And found it slightly amusing that the garden such as his contained somewhat questionable plants. Plants that were more suited to a necromancers herb garden than a well-known minister's garden. Obviously, Pietro Popov enjoyed the whole lore surrounding vampires, and creatures of darkness.

Greeting the servant warmly, Natasha chatted amicably with him as he led her through the hall to a drawing room where Petro was. All the while, she had been taking note of the dark heavy curtains, the hardwood, and the soft lighting that mimicked candle lighting from her day that glowed brightly thanks to a shiny piece of metal or mirror placed behind them that reflected the light.

Truthfully, Natasha felt like she had been plunged back 150 years or more, and if it were not for the servants dressed in modern clothing and supplying blood like they were, she'd have thought she had entered a time warp of some sort.

"You speak Russian?" she stated matter-of-factly, answering Pietro in her mother tongue, her Petrograd accent cultured and polite as she raised a questioning and rather amused eyebrow at this.

"And yes, I come on behalf of the newly established Manta Carlos Sanguine Society," she said as she stood there, looking at Pietro unfazed by the fact she was talking to a child. Her training as a courtesan and lady-in-waiting had made her quite impervious to weird situations.

At the mention of Julian's clan, a tiny private smile graced her lips, Natasha had a special fondness for her ex-lover and ex-clan leader. In fact, when she had told Julian of her idea, he had not scoffed at the idea, giving her his full support instead.

"I am about inclusivity, Mr. Popov," Natasha began, "The society is not only for all types of vampires but for other blood-drinkers or beings with similar needs to ours as well, including energy feeders."

"My organization will also offer support and a safe space to congregate as well as blood to those that need it and do not want to chance a casual, and sometimes risky meeting, to obtain it," she said referring to Bleedr.

"As for my plans, and why I have approached you?" Natasha continued her accent a little more pronounced the more excited and passionate she got - and she was truly passionate about Sanguine. It was her brainchild and she had worked hard to get it where it was now.

"I think that your endorsement of Sanguine would help establish its legitimacy. It would also reflect highly on yourself to see that you support the idea of inclusivity and aren't tied to the past and to a tradition, a tradition that very narrowly sees blood drinking vampires as the best, and perhaps, only type of vampires," she said, staring at him almost challengingly. and waiting for his reply

Pietro's reaction was expected and hoped for. It meant he had been listening, and that he cared about the community, and it had, as she had intended, hit the mark. The truth always did. And what was more, Russians as herself, prided themselves on the truth.

Although in many ways, the truth hurt and being Russian, also meant being prideful and quick to anger at times, passionate and caring, despite what others might think. "React first, then reason"... was a Russian proverb that Natasha believed suited them perfectly.

"The truth oftentimes hurts, does it not, Minister Popov?" Natasha replied very calmly as she met his cool gaze unafraid, and with a hint perhaps of compassion, very used to Ekaterina's sudden rages. The empress had been volatile, more than most Russians, and Pietro was, in a way, a lot like her.

"I did not say I believed that personally," she told him with a placating tone, her bearing regal and unflinching as if she stood in front of her empress herself.

"I am telling you as someone who worked diligently for the Vasile coven, often using my own time and resources to seek out fledglings and other feeders in need, how you are perceived among a good number of the local populace."