ANNABELLE

Many Veils

Annabelle is well aware some Kindred find her artistic tastes lacking and view her musical talents as nonexistent. She lets them underestimate her, occasionally playing into their expectations to reinforce the image. After all, if they're busy talking about how her latest protege can't carry a note in an autotuned bucket, they're not watching Annabelle maneuvering mortal politicians. In a self-destructive fashion, she intends for everyone to think her the fool before she reveals something startlingly profound and informed.

A Sliver of Light

For a short time after Menele's death, Annabelle was no longer under a methuselah's control. Helena had yet to reassert her will, and Annabelle felt her freedom ebbing back. Though Helena's influence soon returned and set Annabelle back on the intended path, those inklings of doubt remain and she now wishes to know the truth. She isn't yet aware of Critias' own epiphany in this regard, but should she find out, the two have some interesting notes to compare.

The Eldest Toreador

Many blamed Annabelle when Maria disappeared. She's quietly started investigating Maria's last known movements; though much of that information is three decades old, she has a few leads. In recent nights, another Toreador, Eletria, has gone missing. The circumstances of that case bear a striking similarity to what Annabelle's learned of Maria's habits. She wants to hire a coterie to discover what befell these two Toreador, but finds herself struggling to make a deal.

The Power of the Media

Annabelle's looking for potential media outlets into which to insert herself, especially now Joseph Peterson has flown the coop with his news network contacts. She recognizes the need for caution, as so many modern kine get their news online — where the Second Inquisition's

always watching. She's looking to scoop up a set of foreign language stations including Pulso del Mundo, and wants someone to make the introductions.

Deciding Vote

Annabelle's calendar has been full of meetings regarding the Lasombra petition to join the Camarilla. Should the Camarilla accept, adding a Lasombra Primogen could either split the Council's votes evenly, or stack them. She's been the Primogen's swing vote for 30 years, and used that to her political advantage. Now, that position is threatened. Annabelle's not entirely against the balance shifting, as long as she can ensure she'll benefit. She is going to actively manipulate the Lasombra negotiations to put her in a stronger position, even if it means denying them entry to the city or allowing one of them to join the council.

Siren's Call

Annabelle hears the Beckoning calling her just before dawn, but it abates by the time she rises again at night. Unknown to her, the vitae Helena feeds her is currently sufficient to keep the Toreador Primogen grounded in Chicago. She wants to know who is cutting the call, which she finds oh, so tempting.

Annabelle's noticed Stryker's waning adoration, and she's not pleased. She's split between letting him off the leash to see what he can accomplish on this own, hopeful he'll fail dismally, but equally drawn to reinforcing the Blood Bond and guaranteeing his undying adoration.

As a fellow patron of the arts, Aluc has earned Annabelle's admiration. However, his parties make him a rival for new talent and influence within Kindred society. She hasn't yet decided whether he's an ally she should cultivate or an enemy to crush.

Annabelle doesn't consider any of the other Primogen her equal. Critias is too lost in his own head these nights, Rosa is insignificant, "Khalid" is increasingly quiet, and Son is more concerned with individual issues than Kindred society. She's tempted to encourage the rise of a Ventrue Primogen — perhaps Ballard or Naomi Stewart — just to give her some competition.

Though unaware of her ancestor's patronage, Helena keeps Annabelle safe and positions her in places of Kindred influence, for now anyway. Just as Annabelle's attention on Bret has frayed, so does Helena's for Annabelle.