You want to put me where?

[frenchmoney]

Okay, let me get this straight. You want to put me, Dimitri Montagne, owner of Montagne Industries and Senechal of Cincinnati, one of the newest elite of the Ventrue, to be taken from all that to be placed in Bete Noire? Isn't part of my charm the fact that I have access to money, power and prestige? How would this work in this new city?

Well, if you were wanting to play with a different circle that does make some sense. It's not like Julian, the tattoo urchin and I would have anything in common. I may have New Money, but the Montagne line has been a wealthy Aristocratic family since Bonaparte. I'm pretty sure we're even related by blood in some manner.

Anyway, if you don't mention my age, I won't mention yours. Does that sound like a deal?

Comments

[golden_lyre]

I've had happiness. I have no desire to seek it again.

[frenchmoney]

That is depression and despair talking. You cannot let them win. You need to find something to inspire you once again.

Does your music give you any joy any longer?

[golden_lyre]

[He rolls his eyes.]

You are little more than a child. Believe me when I say I know both my mind and my heart and can remember a time when I knew neither. Contentment I may have and have had. Happiness is another matter all together.

My music...is not the source of comfort it once was.

[frenchmoney]

[Dimitri's eyes narrow at the crack on his age.]

I know enough about immortality to know it does not make us immune to becoming bitter and broken souls. You need some help to see the possibilities in life again. Maybe what you need is to look at it anew from eyes far younger than your own.

[golden_lyre]

I didn't ask for your help. I don't want it, and I don't need it. All things are temporary except those we wish would be.

[frenchmoney]

I beg your pardon then. It was not my intent to overstep boundaries. I had merely meant to offer assistance and a fresh perspective. As that is not desired nor appreciated, I will not bother you further.

[golden_lyre]

A bit of advice for future interactions? Don't think you can solve everyone's problems. You'll find you have enough of your own.

[frenchmoney]

And what would become of the world if everyone adopted that mindset? They shouldn't attempt to help another person out because they have enough of their own? It is wrong to try and assist if possible?

[golden_lyre]

That isn't what I said. But I think you'll find most people don't appreciate strangers assuming they know what's best.

[frenchmoney]

That is true. And for my arrogance, I do hope you can forgive me. Although, upon hearing your words I felt compassion for you. I do think you are a deserving soul who could use more kindness in his life. Sometimes it does take an outside perspective even to the greatest of us to point out the forest through the trees. We can't always see it because of how close we are to the situation.

[golden_lyre]

I don't need your pity either.

[frenchmoney]

I believe you are trying to frustrate me, sir.

Compassion is not the same as pity. One assume you cannot handle your own problems while the other assumes you can but calls to one's humanity to find a way to lighten the burden if at all possible. It is the latter I felt for you.

[golden_lyre]

You're arguing semantics. I can't know your motivation for offering help, but either way it isn't needed.

[frenchmoney]

It is not semantics, it is my intentions I'm trying to make clear.

But, you are correct. If it is not needed or wanting than the point it moot.

Do you like chess?

[golden_lyre]

Not particularly. I was never a strategist.

[frenchmoney]

Hm, sure you aren't just playing coy?

[golden_lyre]

Yes.

It was something of a sore point with my father.

[frenchmoney]

[Scratches the back of his neck embarrassed]

I am having no luck at all keeping my foot out of my mouth around you.

[golden_lyre]

It's all right. My father's been gone long enough it doesn't cause me pain to think of.

[frenchmoney]

Do you have any connections with the Stark Industries of Bete Noire? My mun says that is most likely the place I will find work.

[golden_lyre]

No, I'm afraid not. I've heard of it, but that's all.

[frenchmoney]

Do you like tennis?

And yes, I'm still trying to come up with something we must have in common.

[golden_lyre]

I've never played. I'm not much for sports.