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		<title>Lamia: Created page with &quot;&lt;pre&gt;                              TABLE OF CONTENTS                            A Note from the Editor                            UPDATES FROM THE STAFF:...&quot;</title>
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		<summary type="html">&lt;p&gt;Created page with &amp;quot;&amp;lt;pre&amp;gt;                              TABLE OF CONTENTS                            A Note from the Editor                            UPDATES FROM THE STAFF:...&amp;quot;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;New page&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;div&gt;&amp;lt;pre&amp;gt;&lt;br /&gt;
                             TABLE OF CONTENTS&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                          A Note from the Editor&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                          UPDATES FROM THE STAFF:&lt;br /&gt;
                          Building &amp;amp; Code Updates&lt;br /&gt;
                          Immortal News: Penumbra&lt;br /&gt;
                              Housing Issues&lt;br /&gt;
                      March &amp;amp; April Calendar of Events&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                               PLAYER NEWS:&lt;br /&gt;
                             XP Achievements&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                            Player Submissions:&lt;br /&gt;
                              A Change, Pt. 1&lt;br /&gt;
                              A Change, Pt. 2&lt;br /&gt;
                         Monopoly: Just Add Faygo&lt;br /&gt;
                               Winter Gifts&lt;br /&gt;
                              Man of Business&lt;br /&gt;
                           Counting the Minutes&lt;br /&gt;
      &lt;br /&gt;
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                          A NOTE FROM THE EDITOR&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Hi, everyone.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I don't really have an excuse for this delay so I hope you enjoy the included&lt;br /&gt;
player contributions. I sure know I did. Be sure to also check out the Welcome&lt;br /&gt;
Board in-game concerning more information about housing. I've included an&lt;br /&gt;
overview in this issue.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
-Lamia&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
___                                                                     ___&lt;br /&gt;
\  |-------------------------------------------------------------------|  /&lt;br /&gt;
/__|                       Updates from the Staff                      |__\&lt;br /&gt;
   '-------------------------------------------------------------------'&lt;br /&gt;
                        &lt;br /&gt;
                           Code &amp;amp; Builder Updates&lt;br /&gt;
                       &lt;br /&gt;
Code Updates:&lt;br /&gt;
* New code for December's Advent Calendar! [11/26]&lt;br /&gt;
* You can no longer deposit negative amounts of money. [2/22]&lt;br /&gt;
* Changed a message with Ancient Era levels - matching it with Med and Indus&lt;br /&gt;
levels. [2/22]&lt;br /&gt;
+ Back-End Stuff to assist with future housing maintenance [3/7]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Builder Update:&lt;br /&gt;
* Rearranged a few vnums - shouldn't be noticeable in game. [11/14]&lt;br /&gt;
* Added an office for Penumbra on the builder floor. [11/14]&lt;br /&gt;
* Rearranged more vnums - still shouldn't be noticeable in game. [11/26]&lt;br /&gt;
* Adjusted Mertjai's immpet - he shouldn't cause issues in OOC anymore. [11/26]&lt;br /&gt;
* Lamia's office has changed [11/26]&lt;br /&gt;
* Slight changes to PR Mansion [11/26]&lt;br /&gt;
* Several bug fixes in London Port [11/26]&lt;br /&gt;
* Bug fixes in Egypt. [11/26]&lt;br /&gt;
* Updates to various help files. [2/22]&lt;br /&gt;
* Previous holiday game removed from in-game. [2/22]&lt;br /&gt;
* Added a warning that changing your sex is non-reversible. [2/22]&lt;br /&gt;
+ Prize Machine Update - over 110 unique strings are in the machine [3/7]&lt;br /&gt;
+ An Aux-Item &amp;amp; Furniture Merchant has been added to the Mansion. The items&lt;br /&gt;
she sells cannot be mundaned. If you don't like what you see in her inventory,&lt;br /&gt;
you may be able to convince her to show you other items she may have. [3/7]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
 &lt;br /&gt;
                           Immortal News: Penumbra&lt;br /&gt;
						   &lt;br /&gt;
Everyone be sure to give Penumbra a very warm greeting when you see him. He's&lt;br /&gt;
very busy working on a new Industrial area for us. If you don't see him, don't&lt;br /&gt;
worry! He's out there, busy working on the new area! (Or is sometimes just &lt;br /&gt;
busy with real life.)								&lt;br /&gt;
							&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                  ***** Important Notice About Housing *****&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Housing charges are once again turned 'off' due to a persisting issue with &lt;br /&gt;
houses saving. We're currently looking in to the cause in order to resolve the&lt;br /&gt;
issue. 'Build' commands have been disabled as well in order to prevent further&lt;br /&gt;
issues.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
-Lamia&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
  &lt;br /&gt;
                        LegendMUD Calendar of Events&lt;br /&gt;
       &lt;br /&gt;
           [All times are System Time unless otherwise specified]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                                   March&lt;br /&gt;
                            Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa&lt;br /&gt;
                             1  2  3  4  5  6  7&lt;br /&gt;
                             8  9 10 11 12 13 14&lt;br /&gt;
                            15 16 17 18 19 20 21&lt;br /&gt;
                            22 23 24 25 26 27 28&lt;br /&gt;
                            29 30 31&lt;br /&gt;
							&lt;br /&gt;
Friday, March 13th - 8:30pm System Time - Werewolf at the Mansion&lt;br /&gt;
Tuesday, March 17th - 8:00pm System Time - St. Patrick's Day Themed Hunt&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
[The 17th's Event is kind of vague because there's a big review at work and &lt;br /&gt;
Lamia may have to stay late, so she doesn't want to get anyone's hopes up.]&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                                   April &lt;br /&gt;
                            Su Mo Tu We Th Fr Sa&lt;br /&gt;
                                      1  2  3  4&lt;br /&gt;
                             5  6  7  8  9 10 11&lt;br /&gt;
                            12 13 14 15 16 17 18&lt;br /&gt;
                            19 20 21 22 23 24 25&lt;br /&gt;
                            26 27 28 29 30&lt;br /&gt;
							&lt;br /&gt;
Sunday, April 5th - All Day - A Lamia-fied Egg Hunt&lt;br /&gt;
Wednesday, April 22nd - All Day - Candy Cloud Gardens for Earth Day&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
___                                                                      ___&lt;br /&gt;
\  |--------------------------------------------------------------------|  /&lt;br /&gt;
/__|                            Player News                             |__\&lt;br /&gt;
   '--------------------------------------------------------------------'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                              XP ACHIEVEMENTS&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Discord has reached 100 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Jigsaw has reached 100 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Soki has reached 100 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Soki has reached 200 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Svartur has reached 200 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Deirdre has reached 300 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Soki has reached 300 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Soki has reached 400 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Soki has reached 500 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Ariah has reached 600 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Soki has reached 600 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Vanion has reached 600 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Ariah has reached 700 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
Ariah has reached 800 million experience!&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
___________________________________________________________________________&lt;br /&gt;
_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|_____|___&lt;br /&gt;
__|_____|_____|_____|_____|__PLAYER SUBMISSIONS___|_____|_____|_____|_____|&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A Change, Pt. 1&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A dejected Dairos sits on his bar stool, for once almost sober enough to &lt;br /&gt;
actually feel his shame for a life wasted - to not even mention the guilt from&lt;br /&gt;
countless assassinations he completed without hesitation.  He sits off in the &lt;br /&gt;
dark corner of the pub, only lit up by a large Japanese lantern he keeps with &lt;br /&gt;
him.  He keeps it because strangely this tool that has been more useful in &lt;br /&gt;
helping him guide drinks to his mouth than actually leading his adventures, &lt;br /&gt;
has a deeper hidden meaning to him.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Sure, its a tool he uses to its created purpose, but why he keeps it only he &lt;br /&gt;
will understand.  It's almost falling apart it's so old, and you can tell by &lt;br /&gt;
looking at it there's some sentimental value there - almost has to be.  It's &lt;br /&gt;
chipped and broken, and half rotten from being left out in the rain all night&lt;br /&gt;
on many occasions, and barely gives enough light to see it, let alone do &lt;br /&gt;
anything else. &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
As he stares into the dying light of the lantern, much as his own life has, he&lt;br /&gt;
sees the end coming swiftly.  And finally, as the realization hits him like a &lt;br /&gt;
ton of bricks, he decides he knows what he must do.  He blows out the light &lt;br /&gt;
and sets out to reclaim the mastery of ninjitsu he once had, to save the &lt;br /&gt;
innocent and punish the corrupt, not just to follow blind orders of his &lt;br /&gt;
elders.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This would not sit too well with the members of his clan, as they have &lt;br /&gt;
alienated him already, and Dairos knows what they think they must do to him &lt;br /&gt;
for making his choice.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
To be continued...&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A Change, Pt. 2&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dairos continued living his life in his reckless, glory filled youth - as &lt;br /&gt;
corrupted as any other man given his power would have been subjected to. &lt;br /&gt;
Questionable clients asking for assassination targets seemed a daily happening&lt;br /&gt;
to him. The more he contemplated what he was actually doing, the more he &lt;br /&gt;
wondered why and to what end he would do what he was assigned by his masters.&lt;br /&gt;
As this inner conflict rose within him, he spiralled deeper into his drinking,&lt;br /&gt;
swallowed whole by the very liquid he used to cope with the guilt of so many &lt;br /&gt;
questionable choices.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
One day, so drunk he could barely even stand, he approached the elders and &lt;br /&gt;
masters of his village and threw down his sword, swearing to never shed the &lt;br /&gt;
blood of anyone ever again. The masters told him one by one that it's not his&lt;br /&gt;
place to question, only to serve. Many of them referred to him as a tool, to &lt;br /&gt;
do their work. These words resonated deep within him, and as he was the most &lt;br /&gt;
loyal of all the clan, and left him no choice but to continue as he had been &lt;br /&gt;
trained, raised in the life even.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Although he still believed heavily in his vow to his clan and the ideals they &lt;br /&gt;
hold within, he felt as if he could no longer mindlessly kill as he was told.&lt;br /&gt;
As his guilt for the past grew, his drinking increased, and eventually he &lt;br /&gt;
ended up not completing missions because he was too busy at the local tavern &lt;br /&gt;
drowning his sorrows. Eventually, the clan no longer requested of him what &lt;br /&gt;
they had for so long, ashamed of even raising him to adulthood. As his clan &lt;br /&gt;
pushed him away, he pushed the bottle closer, and he continued in that manner&lt;br /&gt;
for years.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Dairos will now be seen as: &lt;br /&gt;
the Drunken Ninja Master&lt;br /&gt;
A drunken ninja is here, swigging a bottle of rum.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Monopoly: Just Add Faygo&lt;br /&gt;
by Jigsaw&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
It was a normal Sunday afternoon, everyone nursing last night's headache and &lt;br /&gt;
just feeling like trash. We decided to have a quiet day in just the Juggalo &lt;br /&gt;
family, board games, and cards. Everything was fine at first. We played Life &lt;br /&gt;
for a few hours; nothing new, though, since I lost. We pulled out the cards &lt;br /&gt;
and played Spades, Hearts, Poker (stud and Texas Hold'Em) We found out the &lt;br /&gt;
hard way that cards are not a good idea. Everyone got loud and headaches got &lt;br /&gt;
worse.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
After a break and a store run, we've all settled down now and we decide to&lt;br /&gt;
play monopoly. Hour after hour, dollar after dollar, from Baltic to Boardwalk,&lt;br /&gt;
over and over. My luck has run its normal course: pay taxes, pay players, go &lt;br /&gt;
to jail, ride the Reading (yea, I finally land on a railroad, 113 times &lt;br /&gt;
around the board later), pay more tax, then I land on chance again. Something &lt;br /&gt;
must have snapped inside me after that last chance card: Go to jail. Go &lt;br /&gt;
directly to jail. Do not pass Go. Do not collect 200 dollars.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I just lost it. I snatched up the game board and took a huge bite out of the &lt;br /&gt;
Go corner, leaving teeth marks in Park Place and Income Tax. Rather dry &lt;br /&gt;
tasting, but as I chew and try to wash it down with my Faygo it all replays in&lt;br /&gt;
slow motion. The car, laughing at me, revving its engine as I walk to the &lt;br /&gt;
store.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The ship, that laughing Navy recruiter.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The dog, my poor lost Hatchet (He was a Boxer pup when he got hit by that damn&lt;br /&gt;
car).&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
I... I can't go on. I miss Hatchet.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Winter Gifts&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Looking out over the large river, a young man smiled. He loved the forest, &lt;br /&gt;
especially in the early morning hours. Even in the winter, when his breath &lt;br /&gt;
was visible in the cold northern air, the forest was still beautiful. The &lt;br /&gt;
earth covered herself in a blanket of white, gilded her trees in a light &lt;br /&gt;
frost, and allowed some of her lakes to sleep in ice. The sun was coming up &lt;br /&gt;
over the horizon, bathing the river in its reds and oranges. The people of &lt;br /&gt;
this region called this river Gitchi-Ziibi, the great river. He was headed to &lt;br /&gt;
a nearby fort to pick up, what he hoped would be, acceptable gifts for a &lt;br /&gt;
couple young ladies.  &lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He was not a big fan of military forts, or military forts trying to disguise &lt;br /&gt;
themselves as trading forts, but this one had something that he wanted. &lt;br /&gt;
Slowing his pace slightly and, moving more carefully, began to almost blend in&lt;br /&gt;
with the forest itself. 'I may need to go there, but that does not mean that &lt;br /&gt;
they need to see me right away,' he thought to himself, smiling as he draped &lt;br /&gt;
his bow across his back. He raised his head and let out a long, eerie sound.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The wolf raised its head and looked about, its silver ears listening for more &lt;br /&gt;
sounds. Once it was satisfied with what it heard, it padded slowly toward the &lt;br /&gt;
fort.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Man of Business&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She leaned forward slightly, careful to not lose her balance, as she sat &lt;br /&gt;
perched atop a floral chair's armrest. 'Everything you have is always so &lt;br /&gt;
bright,' Naeva said to Lord Ravenswick, her fingers toying with his cravat pin&lt;br /&gt;
as he sat in the aforementioned chair, dutifully enduring her presence. 'Well,&lt;br /&gt;
bright or incredibly dark. Was it always that way, or did it happen after you &lt;br /&gt;
married Nadia?' Moris raised an eyebrow as he removed her hand from the pin.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I have always found myself appreciating the beauty of the contrasting &lt;br /&gt;
shades.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Naeva slipped her hand from his and started investigating his cuff-links. &lt;br /&gt;
'Before you were cursed, was your hair black? Were you always so pale? I mean,&lt;br /&gt;
you're British, so I figure you were always kind of pale, but not this pale. &lt;br /&gt;
I think I like to imagine that you had dark hair.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He sighed, not trying to free himself from her this time. 'Is there anything &lt;br /&gt;
you would not change about me?' he asked, the slightest bit of sarcasm seeping&lt;br /&gt;
in to his tone.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
A small smile tugged at her lips. 'I bet your eyes were the same. Pale, &lt;br /&gt;
silvery-blue. I bet people feared you even all those years ago.' She was &lt;br /&gt;
silent for a few seconds. 'Seriously, though, where do you get all this &lt;br /&gt;
platinum? You have it, Nadia had it, your daughter has some, I bet you've got&lt;br /&gt;
something hidden away for Tessa, too.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'm a man of business, Miss Trinstadt. Mining is a good business.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'You know, I thought we agreed you'd drop this whole 'Miss Trinstadt' thing-' &lt;br /&gt;
She let go of his hand, letting it fall to his lap. 'Now, all of this &lt;br /&gt;
platinum. You said something about a mine?' Moris nodded, the movement hardly &lt;br /&gt;
noticeable. 'Awesome. Then getting me a new charm bracelet won't be difficult &lt;br /&gt;
for you at all.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He raised a perfect, silvery brow. 'Why would I do such a thing?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Naeva's smile became a smirk. 'Why, because you love me.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
                             =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Counting the Minutes&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Vittorio was not only a patient man, but an observant one. Those two traits &lt;br /&gt;
together were dangerous, and, he liked to think, that is why he was so, so &lt;br /&gt;
terribly dangerous. So the smile that graced his lips as he sat down across &lt;br /&gt;
from a young, dark-haired woman was one of victory, of predation, and he &lt;br /&gt;
hadn't even begun his hunt.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Pardon me,' he said, his voice quiet yet holding an icy edge, 'I do not mean &lt;br /&gt;
to impose on your space, this place is merely far more crowded than I ever&lt;br /&gt;
expected.' The woman at the table had stared at him, fork half-raised to her &lt;br /&gt;
mouth, the ravioli sitting atop it threatening to fall every time she took a &lt;br /&gt;
breath.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She swallowed after several seconds of staring, setting the fork down in the &lt;br /&gt;
process. 'Uhm, I guess not.' The girl shifted. She crossed her legs, he was &lt;br /&gt;
sure. Vittorio continued to smile.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I very much appreciate it,' Vittorio said. 'I wasn't expecting the heat to &lt;br /&gt;
persist this far south.' He now took the time to truly look at the girl before&lt;br /&gt;
him: Young, almost too young, but he had spent enough time with wolves to know&lt;br /&gt;
that she could easily be at least five years older than she looked. She was &lt;br /&gt;
pretty enough, he decided as she made a face at his comment. She wasn't &lt;br /&gt;
someone he would have gone out of his way to speak with if she hadn't made the&lt;br /&gt;
fact that she was a wolf so glaringly obvious. It wasn't the gold that she &lt;br /&gt;
wore, or the foolish little dog ears on the headband - those would have to go &lt;br /&gt;
were things to go his way - it was her eyes. How she held herself. She was &lt;br /&gt;
timid, in need of a strong hand. More a mutt than a wolf and it was a &lt;br /&gt;
disgrace.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'You'd probably be fine except for that coat,' she mumbled as she played with &lt;br /&gt;
her glass of water. 'Dark colors aren't the best, either, 'cause black absorbs&lt;br /&gt;
everything.' She trailed off, her gaze remaining on her drink. She hadn't &lt;br /&gt;
looked at him since he sat down. Perfect. How perfect.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
This was almost too easy. 'You make a valid point, miss...' He blinked, &lt;br /&gt;
feigning surprise, and moved to stand. 'Oh, how horrible of me,' he said with &lt;br /&gt;
a bow. 'This blasted heat causing me to lose my manners. I'm Vittorio Yonescu.&lt;br /&gt;
It's a pleasure to meet you, dear.' He held out his hand for hers, silver ring&lt;br /&gt;
gleaming brightly on his middle finger. He saw her hesitation and thought she &lt;br /&gt;
would find an excuse, but she surprised him. Stupid, clever girl, trying to &lt;br /&gt;
hide what she was by placing her hand in his, allowing his lips to touch her &lt;br /&gt;
knuckles. He heard the faint sizzle as the ring touched her flesh, but she did&lt;br /&gt;
not withdraw, and he did not act as though he heard anything. Wolves were &lt;br /&gt;
sensitive of their weaknesses.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'm Seraphina,' she said, pulling her hand away, trying to play off her &lt;br /&gt;
discomfort by motioning for him to sit again. 'Are you here on business?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Vittorio returned to his seat across from her, smile once again on his lips. &lt;br /&gt;
'Of sorts,' he said. 'I am looking to move here. London has become too dreary,&lt;br /&gt;
too boring for the likes of me.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She smiled faintly at her lap, where she'd settled her hands. 'I've only been &lt;br /&gt;
there a few times, but London seemed nice. I heard stories about vampires, so &lt;br /&gt;
I can't imagine it being boring.' She started when he scoffed.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'Vampires,' he said, almost purring. 'Do you believe in such tales?' Seraphina&lt;br /&gt;
nodded her head. 'You surprise me, Seraphina.' She shifted again, gold eyes &lt;br /&gt;
glancing at him then quickly away. He raised both eyebrows in slight surprise.&lt;br /&gt;
How had she not been taken in hand? This one, so eager to please. The way she &lt;br /&gt;
flinched at such a light scolding... oh, he would enjoy this. 'Relax, dear, I &lt;br /&gt;
was merely teasing. You needn't look so distraugh--'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I wasn't distraught!' she said, frowning at him. He stared at her, a single &lt;br /&gt;
eyebrow raised. They were silent for a moment, a long moment where even the &lt;br /&gt;
noise of the restaurant seemed to dull. 'I'm sorry,' she said quietly, turning&lt;br /&gt;
her gaze to her lap.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I'm not going to tell you that everything is alright, because it is not,' he &lt;br /&gt;
said coldly. 'You shouldn't interrupt someone like that, especially someone &lt;br /&gt;
like me.' She frowned at him and he frowned right back. 'You were upset &lt;br /&gt;
because you are fond of the supernatural. They're part of your life. You know &lt;br /&gt;
a vampire or a hunter, or maybe even both? Or perhaps you know other &lt;br /&gt;
creatures. Wolves, those are common.' She swallowed and looked away. Her jaw &lt;br /&gt;
was clenched and this was too easy, Vittorio told himself. She'd be his by &lt;br /&gt;
midnight. 'So common that I find myself sitting across from one. Don't move. &lt;br /&gt;
Don't even breathe, Seraphina.' He stood and made a show of slowly moving to &lt;br /&gt;
her side of the table, sitting so his leg was touching hers. She whimpered &lt;br /&gt;
softly as he draped an arm around her shoulders. 'Relax, little wolf. I'm not &lt;br /&gt;
here to hurt you. Quite the opposite, truly. I would like to offer you a job. &lt;br /&gt;
Something lovely, something I'm sure you would enjoy very much.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I have a job.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
He tutted softly. 'Baking? Running around with hunters? Those aren't jobs. &lt;br /&gt;
They're a waste of time and talent.' Vittorio brushed a bit of hair from &lt;br /&gt;
Seraphina's face, the draped arm drawing her a little closer to him. 'Why &lt;br /&gt;
don't we go somewhere more private to discuss your new employment?'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The girl gulped, trying to keep her breathing even. 'I never agreed to work &lt;br /&gt;
for you.' He chuckled darkly, his hand moving from her hair to curl a finger &lt;br /&gt;
under her chin.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
'I wasn't really giving you a choice, Seraphina.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
She whined softly. 'I have to go. Please. I'm supposed to meet a friend and &lt;br /&gt;
he'll get upset if I don't show up.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Vittorio hummed, his hand dropping to his lap. After a moment he sighed and &lt;br /&gt;
shook his head. 'One of your hunters. You are free to go, Seraphina, on two &lt;br /&gt;
conditions.' He removed the arm from around her shoulders and let that hand &lt;br /&gt;
fall to his lap as well. 'One: Think about my offer. I'll come by soon to &lt;br /&gt;
collect you. Two: Ask yourself why, of all the wolves that he's killed, one of&lt;br /&gt;
your hunters let you live. Perhaps I'm not the only one who desires something &lt;br /&gt;
from you.' With that he placed a soft kiss on her temple and stood. 'Enjoy &lt;br /&gt;
your evening, dear. I'll be counting the minutes until we meet again.'&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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The Legendary Times is published by the immortals of LegendMUD. Please send&lt;br /&gt;
replies, additions, or corrections to our address at lt@legendmud.org for&lt;br /&gt;
inclusion in the next edition. All subscription options are now handled at&lt;br /&gt;
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&amp;lt;/pre&amp;gt;&lt;/div&gt;</summary>
		<author><name>Lamia</name></author>
	</entry>
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